Note to parents: When is the best age to have a boy circumcised?

The male penis is covered by a layer of skin, which is called the foreskin. As we all know, after the penis is erect, the foreskin will be turned back so that the glans penis can be fully exposed. But for some men, after the penis is erect, the glans penis is still covered by the penis, which is called foreskin is too long and needs to be circumcised. So, at what age is it best to have a circumcision?

Surgery at the age of eight or nine to promote natural development

Normally, the foreskin of a newborn baby covers the glans penis, and it is covered very tightly, which is called "foreskin" in medicine. If it is not covered, it is a congenital malformation. As the child grows up, the foreskin and glans penis will gradually separate. For most children, this process lasts until the age of five or six. This is the original protective function passed down by our ancestors, and parents do not need to worry. For some children, the separation process is longer and will last until the age of eight or nine. If the foreskin and penis still cannot be separated smoothly after this, doctors generally recommend a small operation to help peel off the foreskin and let the child continue to develop naturally.

Children and adolescents with long foreskin are not suitable for surgery

In addition, throughout a boy's childhood and adolescence, the foreskin appears too long. Some parents may be anxious, but in fact, it is not suitable for surgery at this time. Because the penis has not yet fully developed, it is difficult to control how much to cut. In particular, if the ventral side is cut too much, it will affect erection, and additional plastic surgery may be required to compensate. The best age for circumcision should be to wait until the child is fully grown, that is, when he is 18 years old.

Premature circumcision is not recommended

Therefore, unless there are repeated penile infections, premature circumcision is not recommended. As for the problem of long foreskin that is easy to harbor dirt, children should learn to clean it correctly every day from an early age. If inflammation occurs occasionally, it can usually be cured by applying ointment. However, if the child has special conditions such as difficulty urinating, crooked urine, repeated penile infections, etc., it is still necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.