Adult Circumcision

A full or regular circumcision involves total removal of the foreskin, leaving the glans (the head or tip of the penis) completely uncovered. The cut is done behind the crown of the glans, in an area where the skin is much less elastic.

A partial circumcision consists of not cutting the entire foreskin, but leaving a considerable amount of foreskin to cover the crown of the glans. The cut of the skin is made in the elastic area of the foreskin. 

The foreskin has protective, sensory, biomechanical, and immunological functions. Throughout life, the outer part of the foreskin protects the sensitive inner part of the glans from injury, abrasion, chafing, and infection. The foreskin keeps its mucosal tissue and the glans soft and moist so that it maintains sensitivity. However having a circumcision eliminates the risk of phimosis and balanitis, conditions which often come with pain, particularly during urination and sex.

The foreskin also secretes immunological substances that fight infection, called lysozymes, and also produces natural lubricants, reducing the need for artificial lubricants during sex. Once you have had a male circumcision, you may find that you will occasionally need to use extra lubrication.

A foreskin has no role to play in reproduction, so having circumcision will not affect your sperm production or fertility.

A circumcision should not be a painful procedure, however this depends on the individual. It is more a dull ache than a sharp pain once the feeling returns. At the Cadogan Clinic, a circumcision is performed under day case surgery with general anaesthesia. This means you'll be unconscious throughout the procedure and won't feel any pain.

You may experience some discomfort and swelling around the head of your penis for three to four days following the operation, however before leaving the clinic you will be given painkilling medication to help manage this. You shouldn't feel any pain or discomfort while passing urine.

All surgical procedures are associated with an element of risk. Your surgeon will explain the risks for a circumcision to you in your consultation and will give you the opportunity to ask questions.

In the UK, complications after adult circumcisions carried out for medical reasons are rare and most men don't experience any significant problems. Apart from the initial swelling, bleeding and infection are the two most common problems associated with male circumcision, however these are rare and can be easily treated and managed if they do occur.

With the removal of your foreskin, the end of the penis will feel different and you may have less sensitivity over time.

There may be some pain and discomfort following circumcision surgery which can be easily treated with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

During your recovery, you should drink plenty of liquids as this will dilute the acidity of the urine your produce and will also reduce any soreness or stinging when going to the toilet. The penis will be red, swollen and sore for the first few days after surgery but this will ease.

• Swelling: You can expect a little swelling and bruising at the wound site. There may also be a bit of oozing yellow coloured fluid. This is normal and nothing to worry about, although it may take about three to four weeks for your wound to heal completely.
• Stitches: These will dissolve or fall out on their own somewhere between 14 and 21 days after the operation. Some of the last pieces may take four to six weeks to dissolve or disappear. They do not need to be removed.
• Wound dressing: You will have a dressing on your penis following your operation. However, this will be removed either before you leave the clinic or you will be instructed to remove it later that day if there has been no bleeding from the wound site. You should not require a dressing after this time.
• Bleeding: It is possible you may have some bleeding from the foreskin, although this is unusual. If bleeding does occur, use a clean cloth and press firmly on the area that is bleeding for 15 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, get in touch with your surgeon.
• Glans sensitivity: The glans (the head or tip of your penis) will feel extra sensitive for the first two weeks after the operation. This will then settle down and over time you may notice that the glans becomes less sensitive than it was before the operation.
• Wound appearance: In the initial six weeks after the operation, the head of the penis and the skin around the wound site may appear swollen but this will settle down. By six months post-surgery this will have returned to normal.
• Sexual activity: It is important that you refrain from all sexual activity for four weeks after the operation.

You should follow all the aftercare instructions issued by your surgeon. Failure to do so ma hamper the healing process.

A number of men return to work as early as the day after their adult circumcision. So you should not need time off work unless absolutely necessary. You may experience some pain and discomfort the first few days after surgery which can be a distraction, so arrange with your employer accordingly. It is advisable to avoid heavy manual work for about a week after your circumcision.

It is not entirely clear whether being circumcised can reduce your risk of aquirring a sexual transmitted infection (STI). There have been several studies into male circumcision and the risk of STIs, but the results have proved inconclusive.

What has been observed is that men who have been circumcised are less likely to notice the symptoms of STIs such as chlamydia, which in turn heightens the risk of them passing it on to unsuspecting partners. Circumcised males also appear more likely to develop penile warts.

There is also conflicting advice with regards to male circumcision and HIV/AIDS. There have been several trials carried out in Africa that suggested that circumcised men have a lower risk of acquiring HIV from infected women, however the international not-for-profit health organisation the Cochrane Collaboration reviewed all the research into circumcision and HIV and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support the idea that circumcised men have less chance of contracting HIV. To date, there is no solid conclusion either way.

The only way to effectively protect against sexually transmitted infections and diseases, including HIV and AIDS, is by wearing a condom during sexual intercourse.

The cost of a private circumcision at the Cadogan Clinic starts from £2,000.

If you choose the Cadogan Clinic for your adult circumcision in London, you will get:

• Up to two 60 minute consultations with a leading specialist plastic surgeon at our award-winning premises in Chelsea
• Your male circumcision at London’s leading specialist cosmetic surgery centre of excellence
• 24/7 on-call nurse assistance
• A Dedicated Patient Coordinator, as a personal point of contact through your journey with Cadogan
• A preoperative medical assessment
• Comprehensive aftercare courtesy of our specialist team of nurses