Foreskin or Not For Skin?

There are very few topics that really hit a nerve amongst men, along with bad mouthing our favourite sports teams and our mother’s cooking – circumcision is a bit of a sore spot.

Unless you were circumcised as an infant or a young boy, that word won’t cause you to wince and involuntarily protect your nether regions, but for a man in his prime who is considering the health benefits of getting a little snip, the word will surely have you sweating – big time!

The first time I heard about circumcision was while reading the Bible, where it referred to the special bond between the Jews and God, but later I discovered that circumcision takes place in many cultures and is often seen as an important rite of passage.

Nowadays the topic is becoming increasingly less religious and cultural as the focus falls solely on the health benefits.

Dr David Hute /Uirab discussed some of the benefits of circumcision which include reduction of HIV transmission by about 60%, as well as a reduction of contracting other sexually transmitted infections. Better penile hygiene, reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer of women who have circumcised partners and reduction in penile cancer for circumcised men are a few more reasons to consider getting cut.

Many medical procedures become more risky to undergo as we grow older, but is it the same with this specific operation?

“A man can be circumcised at any age. Provided, of course, that his general health is fine. You wouldn’t circumcise a 95 year old man with uncontrolled diabetes and cancer of the prostate, for instance.”

Aftercare is of utmost importance, said Dr /Uirab. “Healing of the circumcised wound is as easy for a 56-year-old man as it is for the 18-year-old. What matters is the quality of the post-operative care.

“Circumcision, like any other operation, has risks and potential complications. Important ones include bleeding after the operation, sepsis and trauma to the urethra,” he said.

“For those undergoing voluntary male medical circumcision, the professionals are trained to avoid these things and when they occur, deal with the complications. I can, obviously, not talk for our traditional colleagues.”

Going under the knife might not be the worst part of circumcision, as the healing process takes considerably long.

“The primary healing, particularly of the outside, takes seven to 10 days. However, it takes about six weeks for the wound to heal completely. That is why we advise patients not to have sex for at least six weeks after circumcision,” Dr. /Uirab explained.

This alone may be the biggest factor in scaring men off.

There seems to be a belief amongst men that getting circumcised will reduce the pleasure of having sex, however the doctor does not believe this to be true.

“This has not been borne out by practice. Sensitivity post circumcision remains intact. If anything, the man enjoys sex better since he is in control of his ejaculation and can satisfy his woman better.”

Could this be the deciding factor when making that irreversible choice?

“I am circumcised and I never had a problem with sensitivity,” Dr. /Uirab added.

Bobby Meja, a young Namibian man, does not seem to be scared off by the procedure. “I’m for circumcision. I think boys should be circumcised while they are still young, so that they won’t have to go through and agony when they are grown up,” he said. He also explained that babies who have the operation have the care of their mother as opposed to an adult having to take care of themselves.

Manuel Lemus agrees. “I’m pro-circumcision which is done during childhood. I see nothing wrong with that. If you wait for a child to be grown, it might be to late,” he said.

Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) student Artur Hungulo also thinks circumcision is the way to go. “I am for it, but I don’t judge people who don’t do it. For many, it is a cultural or religious belief while for others, it is just matter of health,” he said.

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