Risk and complication of circumcision
Risks associated with circumcision include:
- Bleeding
- Reaction to anaesthesia
- Cutting the foreskin too long or too short
- Irritation on the tip of the penis
- Infection
- Pain
- Meatitis (inflamed opening of the penis).
In some cases, the foreskin doesn’t heal properly and can stick to the end of the penis (penile adhesion). When this happens, a second procedure is needed.
Men and older boys are advised to undergo circumcision if they suffer from medical problems like scarring of foreskin that prevents it from retracting (phimosis), recurring infections and inflammation of the penis (balanitis or lichen sclerosis) and if the foreskin is very tight and causes spraying and pain during urination. In healthy newborns, though there is no need for circumcision, some cultures and traditions advocate it.