When is circumcision of boys medically indicated?

Circumcision in boys may be indicated for a variety of medical reasons, although in many cases it is a cultural or religious choice. Circumcision is rarely indicated for medical reasons before the age of 12.

Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin is too tight and cannot be fully retracted over the glans. If treatment with creams or stretching exercises is not effective, circumcision may be a solution.

Phimosis occurs when the foreskin, once retracted over the glans, cannot be pulled back forward, causing swelling and pain. This is a medical emergency and sometimes circumcision is necessary to resolve the problem.

Some studies suggest that circumcision reduces the risk of urinary tract infections in boys, especially in infants. Circumcision is also sometimes recommended for hygiene reasons, especially if the foreskin is difficult to keep clean and leads to infections or other complications. There is no scientific evidence for either indication.

Circumcision is sometimes recommended to reduce the risk of penile cancer later in life. Penile cancer occurs mainly in uncircumcised men, but there are no studies that penile cancer can be prevented by circumcision.

It is important that the need for circumcision is assessed by a physician. In many cases, less invasive treatments can be tried before proceeding to circumcision.

Source: https://www.jpedsurg.org/article/S0022-3468(24)00373-7/fulltext

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-09-14 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025