Should I get circumcised? The most common reasons why men get cut.

Circumcision, or the surgical removal of the foreskin, is a lifelong commitment. You can’t turn back time and return to how your penis was before.

That’s why you should be sure that circumcision is the right decision for you before you undergo the procedure. This article isn’t going to tell you whether you should get circumcised, but it will help you make an informed decision.

It is your body and your decision whether you get circumcised. Nobody should force you into it if you do not want to be circumcised.

There are many different reasons people get circumcised. Here are the most common ones:

For medical reasons

There are several medical conditions in which circumcision is recommended or required. This includes severe phimosis (a tight foreskin), paraphimosis (where the foreskin is stuck behind the head of the penis), recurrent balanitis (infection of the foreskin) or penile cancer.

There is some evidence that circumcision helps to reduce the risk of contracting HIV in heterosexual men. According to the World Health Organisation it can reduce contractions by approximately 60%. It is encouraged in some HIV preventions across Africa.

If you have a medical condition that you think might benefit from circumcision you should discuss it with your doctor first. They can advise you on the correct course of treatment for you. You might find that you can treat your problem with less invasive alternatives.

For religious reasons

Some religions require or encourage circumcision in members. Often this is done at birth if parents are religious. If you convert to a religion as an adult you may be encouraged to circumcise.

You may find that not all branches of your chosen religion require circumcision in converts. If you do not want to get circumcised you could research these branches in more detail and join them instead of another, stricter branch.

Before getting circumcised for religious reasons you should make sure you are fully committed to your faith and content with spending the rest of your life circumcised.

For personal preference

Some men choose to get circumcised because they prefer the look and feel of a circumcised penis.

Whilst there is nothing wrong about an uncircumcised penis you may find you simply prefer to be circumcised. As with any permanent body modification you should consider the pros and cons, and whether you are prepared to spend the rest of your life circumcised.

So, should I get circumcised?

As individuals we are free to make our own choices about our bodies. You should not be shamed for looking a certain way, and any decision you make should 100% be made by you.

It may take some time and thought to make the right choice – you shouldn’t feel rushed. The decision to get circumcised or not will stay with you for the rest of your life, so you should be sure of what you want.