When Is Surgical ablation Necessary? What Men Need to Know

by John Dugan Owner

While it’s typically done as an infant, many men opt to undergo a surgical ablation of their male sheath later in life. Having a cut member is fairly common in the U.S.; among men between the ages of 14 to 59, 81 percent are not intact. That overwhelming number may make a man question: is surgical ablation necessary?

While most of those surgical ablations happen within days of a baby boy’s birth, more and more often, men are choosing to make this decision in adulthood. Ultimately, surgical ablation is a personal choice, there’s no right answer as to whether or not a man should be circumcised. And as with any surgery, surgical ablation in adulthood has complications.

If you’re thinking about undergoing a surgical ablation, there’s a lot to consider. Here we think about some of the benefits of this elective surgery as well as some of the risks.

The benefits of surgical ablation:

- Reduced Likelihood of Urinary Tract Infections: Uncut men are more prone to this condition than men who have had surgical ablations. Generally, these unpleasant infections occur when harmful bacteria, most often e. coli, gets inside the urethra. A urinary tract infection is typically marked by a frequency urgency to urinate, sometimes so severe it wakes a man up from sleep. Usually, urination will also be accompanied by a very uncomfortable pain or burning sensation.

Urinary tract infections are typically more common in men who are uncut because bacteria, like the ones that cause urinary tract infections, can become trapped underneath the sheath. By removing the sheath, bacteria have less places to camp out and cause later problems.

- Prevention of Balanitis: Even though cleanliness is key for women and men, circumcised and not, uncut men have to take hygiene especially seriously. And even the cleanest uncut men can sometime experience smegma, a collection of dead skin cells, oil and other fluids that combine into a white, cheese-like substance. When smegma isn’t properly eradicated, it can cause a condition called balanitis, which is when the smegma becomes infected. While this is a problem that impacts all kinds of men, regardless of their surgical ablation status, it’s especially common in uncut men. By undergoing a later life surgical ablation, men can more easily prevent this uncomfortable condition.

- Cure to Phimosis: Some uncut men experience phimosis, a condition where a man’s sheath will be too tight to be pulled back past the glans during intimate situations. Unfortunately, this is not a problem that solves itself naturally. Men who deal with this difficult condition will eliminate the problem with a surgical ablation.

The risks of a later life surgical ablation:

Many of the risks associated with later life surgical ablations are risks associated with surgery generally. As with any time the body goes into the operating room, bleeding and infection are risks. Men who have this surgery performed are also at risk of meatitis, an inflammation of the opening of the member. Additionally, and predictably, pain at the site of the surgical ablation is a likely side effect.

Ultimately, there’s no right answer on, “is surgical ablation necessary,” regular men’s care is critical to maintaining a healthy member. While in the shower or bath, always be sure to deliberately the private area. The manhood, especially uncut ones, are prone to bacterial build-up that can be prevented as simply as engaging in regular bathing. Be sure to wash the area daily with warm water and a mild soap.

After washing, it’s always a good idea to use a male organ health creme (health professionals often recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Regularly using a moisturizer, especially one that includes beneficial vitamins and botanicals like shea butter and vitamin A, provides soothing and healing of the delicate skin.

Visit http://www.menshealthfirst.com for additional information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving manhood sensitivity and what to do to maintain a healthy manhood. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous websites.