Should I be circumcised if my foreskin is long?

Whether surgery is needed for foreskin needs to be comprehensively judged based on individual circumstances. Surgery is usually recommended for patients with phimosis or recurrent inflammation.

Indications for circumcision mainly include phimosis, recurrent foreskin infection, and increased risk of partner reproductive tract infection. Phimosis refers to the inability of the foreskin to evert out to expose the glans, which may cause difficulty in urinating or increase the risk of penile cancer. Such patients should undergo surgery as soon as possible. Surgical treatment is also recommended when recurrent balanitis occurs more than three times a year, or when underlying diseases such as diabetes affect healing. In adult patients, the foreskin completely covers the urethral opening but can be manually everted. If there are no other symptoms, observation can be prioritized and hygiene should be maintained through daily cleaning. When combined with local lesions such as genital warts and benign foreskin tumors, surgery can simultaneously solve the lesions and foreskin problems. If there are no complications, most physiological phimosis in children can heal spontaneously as they grow. It is recommended to observe the condition until puberty before evaluation.

Keeping the perineum clean and dry is the basic care measure. Wash the inside and outside of the foreskin with warm water every day and dry it completely. Avoid using alkaline lotions to irritate the area and choose pure cotton breathable underwear to reduce friction. After surgery, patients need to follow the doctor's instructions to change dressings regularly, use iodophor for disinfection to prevent infection, and refrain from sexual intercourse within 6 weeks. If pain during urination, suture cracking or abnormal secretion occurs, you should return to the hospital immediately. Those who have not undergone surgery should have a urological examination at least once a year to pay attention to changes in foreskin elasticity and glans exposure.