Circumcision

Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes the foreskin from the human penis. In the procedure's most common form, the foreskin is extended with forceps, then a circumcision device may be placed, after which the foreskin is excised. Topical or locally injected anesthesia is generally used to reduce pain and physiologic stress. Circumcision is undertaken for religious, cultural, social, and medical reasons. It may be medically necessary in cases of phimosis, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), and other pathologies of the penis that do not resolve with other treatments. The procedure is contraindicated in cases of certain genital structure abnormalities or poor general health.

The procedure is associated with reduced rates of sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections. This includes reducing the incidence of cancer-causing forms of human papillomavirus (HPV) and reducing HIV transmission among heterosexual men in high-risk populations by up to 60%; its prophylactic efficacy against HIV transmission in the developed world or among men who have sex with men is debated. Neonatal circumcision decreases the risk of penile cancer. Complication rates increase significantly with age. Bleeding, infection, and the removal of either too much or too little foreskin are the most common acute complications, while meatal stenosis is the most common long-term. There are various cultural, social, legal, and ethical views on circumcision. Major medical organizations hold differing views on circumcision's prophylactic efficacy in developed countries. Some medical organizations take the position that it carries prophylactic health benefits that outweigh the risks, while others hold that its medical benefits are not sufficient to justify it.

Circumcision is one of the world's most common and oldest medical procedures, with 37–39% of men globally circumcised. Prophylactic usage originated in England during the 1850s and has since spread globally, becoming established as a way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Beyond use as a prophylactic or treatment option in healthcare, circumcision plays a major role in many of the world's cultures and religions, most prominently Judaism and Islam. Circumcision is among the most important commandments in Judaism and considered obligatory. In some African and Eastern Christian denominations male circumcision is required. It is widespread in the United States, South Korea, Israel, Muslim-majority countries, and most of Africa. It is relatively rare for non-religious reasons in Latin America, Europe, Australia, most of Asia, and parts of Southern Africa. The origin of circumcision is not known with certainty, but the oldest documentation comes from ancient Egypt.