Circumcision

Circumcision is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the foreskin, the retractable skin covering the head of the penis.

It is performed for various reasons, including medical and cultural reasons. The procedure can be done on children or adults, and it is typically performed by a healthcare professional, such as a urologist or paediatric surgeon, in a sterile environment.

Our urologists only perform circumcision when there is an indicated medical reason. They do not perform cosmetic or cultural circumcision.

Common Reasons for Circumcision:

  • Overview: Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin is too tight, making it difficult or impossible to retract it over the head of the penis.
  • Causes: Congenital narrowing of the foreskin opening or scarring due to inflammation or infection.
  • Symptoms: Difficulty retracting the foreskin, pain or discomfort during erection or urination, recurrent infections.
  • Treatment: Topical corticosteroid creams, stretching exercises, circumcision in severe or recurrent cases.
  • Overview: Paraphimosis occurs when the foreskin becomes trapped behind the head of the penis, causing constriction and swelling.
  • Causes: Failure to return the foreskin to its normal position after retraction, often due to improper technique or underlying phimosis.
  • Symptoms: Pain, swelling, tightness, discoloration of the penis.
  • Treatment: Manual reduction of the foreskin to its normal position, topical anaesthesia, circumcision in recurrent cases or severe constriction.
  • Overview: Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis, usually caused by poor hygiene, infections, or skin conditions.
  • Causes: Poor hygiene, fungal or bacterial infections, skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis), irritants.
  • Symptoms: Redness, swelling, pain, itching, discharge, foul odour.
  • Treatment: Improved hygiene, topical antifungal or antibacterial creams, corticosteroid creams for inflammation, treating underlying infections or skin conditions.
  • Overview: Meatal stenosis is a narrowing or constriction of the urethral opening (meatus) at the tip of the penis.
  • Causes: Scar tissue formation or inflammation following circumcision or other trauma.
  • Symptoms: Narrowed or slit-like urethral opening, spraying or abnormal urinary stream, discomfort during urination.
  • Treatment: Urethral dilation, meatotomy (surgical widening of the meatus), circumcision in severe cases.
  • Overview: Some individuals may seek circumcision for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons, unrelated to specific medical conditions.
  • Reasons: Personal preference, cultural or social considerations.
  • Treatment: Elective circumcision performed by a healthcare professional.

It is important to note that circumcision is a personal decision, and the medical necessity or preference for circumcision can vary among individuals and cultures. The decision for circumcision and its related conditions should be discussed with a healthcare professional who can provide appropriate guidance and recommendations based on individual circumstances.

All of our urologists have significant experience performing circumcision surgery. However, some of our specialists have longer waiting times than others due to their various sub-specialised areas of expertise in specific procedures, or their commitment to public practice. If you are unsure which specialists to see, or want to ensure the shortest waiting time, please contact us for a recommendation.

Our Urologists who specialise in Circumcision Surgery:

A/Prof Peter Chin

MBBS, FRACS

Urologist

Dr Elizabeth Dally

BMed, MASurg, DCH, PGDipEpid, FRACS

Paediatric Urologist

Dr Paul Kovac

MBBS, FRACS

Urologist

Dr Rahul Rindani

BSc(Med), MBBS, FRACS

Urologist

Dr Helen Nicholson

BSc(Adv), MBBS(Hons), FRACS

Urologist

Dr Minh Tran

BPharm, MBBS, MS, FRACS

Urologist

Dr Rasha Gendy

MBBS(Hons I), MS, FRACS, MIPEd(UK)

Urologist

Our team of specialist urologists provide leading care to patients across the Illawarra region. Experience and training you can rely on.

At South Coast Urology, we offer comprehensive, clinically excellent, multidisciplinary urological care. We run clinics in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Nowra and operate at leading private hospitals across the Illawarra.