Men’s health centre

Introduction

This information tells you what to expect if your son has an operation to remove his foreskin. It explains how the operation is done, how it can help, what the risks are, and what will happen afterwards.

The benefits and risks described here are based on research studies and might be different in your hospital. You may want to talk about this with the doctors and nurses treating your son.

What is circumcision?

Circumcision is an operation to cut away the foreskin of the penis. The foreskin is the sleeve of loose skin that covers the end of the penis.

Circumcision may be done for medical reasons or because of social and religious beliefs. This information is only about circumcision done for medical reasons.

Doctors don't always agree about who needs this operation.^[1] It's important to ask your doctor why he or she has recommended circumcision for your son.

Most boys don't need a circumcision.^[2] But here are some reasons why you and your son's doctor might consider it.^[2][3]

This can happen if your son gets a lot of infections under his foreskin. Infections can damage the delicate skin and cause scars. Because scarring makes the end of the foreskin narrow and less stretchy, your son won't be able to pull his foreskin back. Doctors call this phimosis. It's unusual in boys under 5. It's most common in boys around puberty.^[4]

Scarring can be caused by a skin condition called balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO).^[5] It makes the foreskin red and swollen, and the opening becomes a stiff, white ring of scar tissue.^[6] This can make it hard to pass urine.^[7]

If your son has a tight foreskin, it can get scarred if he forces it back.^[3]

Germs and urine can get trapped under the foreskin and cause infections. Your son's foreskin might be itchy and sore, and there can be an unpleasant discharge. The end of the penis may be red and swollen.^[3]

Removing your son's foreskin can help prevent infections, but it isn't usually necessary. There are other treatments that can help.^[8]

If your son has a tight foreskin and forces it over the head of his penis, there's a risk it will get stuck there. This is called paraphimosis. It needs urgent treatment. The doctor will try to reduce the swelling and apply gentle pressure to pull the foreskin back.^[8] But there's a small chance that the foreskin will need to be removed.