The circumcision rate varies from province to province. Worldwide, the rate of circumcision is much lower. Circumcision has both risks and benefits.
The decision about whether to have a baby circumcised is often based on the personal preference of the parents. Some older boys and men need circumcision to treat problems with the foreskin of the penis such as phimosis or paraphimosis or for swelling of the tip of the penis balanitis. This topic focuses on the circumcision of newborns. It's up to you whether you have your baby circumcised or keep your son's penis natural.
The Canadian Paediatric Society CPS does not recommend circumcision as a routine procedure for all newborn males, but there may be benefits for some. When you make this decision, it may help you to think about your personal and cultural preferences. For example, you may want to consider your religious and family traditions while you weigh the pros and cons of the surgery.
Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son can decide on his own later in life if he wants a circumcised penis. Problems from circumcision are not common. If they occur, they are usually minor. The most common circumcision problems are:. More serious problems are rare.
They include damage to the opening of the urethra, heavy bleeding that requires stitches, severe infection, and scarring. Circumcisions usually are done by a pediatrician , obstetrician , family medicine doctor , surgeon , or urologist. Circumcisions that are performed for religious reasons are sometimes done by others trained in the procedure. For your baby's safety, it is best that the person doing the surgery is well trained, uses sterile techniques, and knows how to manage your baby's pain during and after the surgery.
Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Circumcision is usually done by a doctor at a clinic, in the hospital, or at an outpatient surgery centre. During the procedure:. After the circumcision, the groin, penis, and scrotum may appear reddish brown because of the liquid used to clean the skin before surgery.
The shaft of the penis where the skin was removed will look raw and slightly swollen. Your baby will stay in the hospital or clinic for 2 to 4 hours after the procedure. His penis will be checked for bleeding, and the circumcision area may be covered with petroleum jelly and gauze. You will likely take your baby home the same day he is circumcised. Some swelling around the penis is normal in the first few days after the surgery.
Some slight bleeding may occur. If this happens, apply direct but gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or bandage for about 5 to 10 minutes. After surgery, your baby will feel some pain. He may be fussy and have trouble sleeping. If gauze was used, it will probably come off when your baby urinates.
Follow your doctor's directions about whether to put clean gauze on your baby's penis or to leave gauze off. If you need to remove gauze from the penis, use warm water to soak the gauze and gently loosen it.
A thin yellow film will form over the circumcision site after surgery. This is part of the normal healing process and should go away in a few days. Although the penis is beginning to heal, it may look worse a few days after circumcision. The penis should look like it's getting better about a week after surgery. Here are some things you can do to help your baby feel more comfortable:.
Ask your doctor about giving your baby acetaminophen such as Tylenol for pain. In the past, it wasn't common to provide pain relief. But the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP recommends it and studies show that infants undergoing circumcision benefit from anesthesia, so most doctors now use it.
But because this is a fairly new standard of care, it's important to ask your doctor ahead of time what, if any, pain relief your son will receive. In addition to anesthesia, acetaminophen is sometimes given. This helps reduce discomfort during the procedure and for several hours afterward.
Giving a pacifier dipped in sugar water and swaddling a baby also can help reduce stress and discomfort. Following circumcision, it is important to keep the area as clean as possible.
Gently clean with warm water — do not use diaper wipes. Soapy water can be used if needed. If there is a dressing on the incision, apply a new one with petroleum jelly whenever you change a diaper for the first day or two. Even after the dressing is no longer needed, put a dab of petroleum jelly on the penis or on the front of the diaper for 3 to 5 days.
This can help avoid discomfort from rubbing and sticking to the diaper. It usually takes between 7 to 10 days for a penis to heal. Initially the tip may appear slightly swollen and red and you may notice a small amount of blood on the diaper.
You also may notice a slight yellow discharge or crust after a couple of days. After the operation, a dressing will be put over the penis to protect the wound. It may be removed before your child goes home, or it may be left. If it is left it should fall off itself within 24 hours.
The penis will be sore and inflamed for a few days after the operation. Ointment may be prescribed to use for a few days to help the area heal.
Your child will also need regular pain relief for at least 3 days. They can take paracetamol or ibuprofen following the instructions on the packet. Your child will be able to have a bath the day after their operation. They should avoid riding a bicycle or other toys they sit on until any swelling has gone down. It may be more comfortable to wear loose clothing — or no clothing at all — on his bottom half for a few days after the operation.
Passing urine while in the bath or shower may also be more comfortable. He should be able to return to school or nursery about a week after the operation. Make sure you tell the school or nursery about the operation. It's OK to wash the penis as it heals.
For newborns, change the bandage with each diaper change, and apply a dab of petroleum jelly to the tip of the penis to keep it from sticking to the diaper. Change your baby's diaper often, and make sure the diaper is loosely fastened. If there's a plastic ring instead of a bandage, it will drop off on its own — usually within about a week. Once the penis heals, wash it with soap and water during normal bathing.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Penis before and after circumcision Open pop-up dialog box Close. Penis before and after circumcision Before circumcision, the foreskin covers the tip of the penis glans.
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