Surgical Removal of the Sheath: Pros and Cons

by John Dugan Owner

Surgical removal of the sheath is a major decision that can have a lasting impact for every male. In some cultures, surgical removal of the sheath is a religious ceremony. In Judaism, the ritual is called brit milah, as is usually performed in the family home or synagogue when the baby is eight days old. The procedure is performed by a mohel who has both the religious and surgical training to perform the ritual surgical removal of the sheath. In Islam, it is called Khitan and is performed in a hospital before a boy hits puberty.

Sometimes surgical removal of the sheath is a medical decision. If a boy or man is suffering from balanitis (prepuce swelling), phimosis (inability to pull back the prepuce), or balanoposthitis (where the tip and prepuce of the male organ are inflamed), it will likely be recommended by his physician to get a surgical removal of the sheath. Still some other times, it is done out of family tradition or aesthetic preference.

What is a Surgical removal of the sheath?

Surgical removal of the sheath is the surgical removal of the prepuce, which is the skin covering the tip of the male organ. It is an ancient practice that originated in religious rites and caught on in the secular world. It is usually done within the first few days of a child’s birth, though it can be done at any time. It’s very common in the US and parts of Africa and the Middle East. It is less common in Europe and other countries according to information from the World Health Organization.

Pros of Surgical removal of the sheath

There are several pros to having a surgical removal of the sheath. Here is a list of the five most common benefits of surgical removal of the sheath.

1) Hygiene. Surgical removal of the sheath makes maintaining good genital hygiene a much easier task. It also reduces the instance of smegma, the build-up of oil, bacteria, and dead skin under the prepuce which can cause a funky smell, infection, and an unpleasant surprise for an intimate partner.

2) Prevents Infection. Surgical removal of the sheath prevents conditions like balanitis, balanoposthitis, paraphimosis, and phimosis.

3) Disease Protection. It is said that surgical removal of the sheath decreases the risk of partner transmitted diseases, including female-to-male transmission of HIV. That said, safe contact or abstinence is the best way to prevent partner transmitted diseases.

4) Men’s Health. Surgical removal of the sheath has shown a link to decreasing the likelihood of male organ cancer and urinary tract infections.

5) Women’s Health. Surgical removal of the sheath has been shown to decrease the risk of some infections and cervical cancer in female partners.

Cons of Surgical removal of the sheath

Of course, with the good, also comes the bad. Here is a list of the five most common cons of a surgical removal of the sheath that men should consider prior to electing to have the surgery.

1) Pain. The older a male is, the more painful a surgical removal of the sheath tends to be. However, pain medication and cool compresses can be used to manage pain and swelling.

2) Down Time. All surgeries require downtown and surgical removal of the sheath is no different. Expect to take some time away from work, a few weeks away from intimate contact, and wear very loose sweatpants and shorts during the healing process.

3) Complications. While a small surgery, surgical removal of the sheath can still carry risks such as cutting the prepuce too long or too short, infection, bleeding, and slow healing.

4) Hyper Sensitivity. For men who’ve grown up with prepuce, intimate contact may feel very different now that the male organ is no longer covered until playtime. A man who gets a surgical removal of the sheath will need to relearn his personal sensitivity ranges during self-pleasure and partner pleasure.

5) Few Health Benefits. There aren’t a terrible number of verifiable benefits to getting a surgical removal of the sheath. It can prevent some infections and decrease risk in some areas, but the health benefit isn’t overwhelmingly positive.

Male organ health

Regardless of whether a man decides to go under the knife or not, he should always practice thorough, regular male organ cleaning and care. Men should wash with a gentle cleanser and be sure to stay away from products with rough abrasives and harsh additives.

After washing, a specially designed male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) should be used to keep the male organ soft, smooth, and inviting. Look for a crème packed with vitamins A, C, D, and E, which are well-known for their skin-soothing and healing properties. Also, choose a crème that has a natural base like Shea butter which will lock in moisture, keeping it from dryness or irritation.

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