Circumcision: operations in the UK

Circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove the foreskin (prepuce). Evidence is that circumcision has been practiced for over 3700 years.

  
There are several reasons for circumcision:

• for religious, family or cultural reasons

• a medical indication

• prevention of future medical problems

   

If a boy or man has recurrent medical problems related to the foreskin, circumcision may be recommended. For example, the foreskin may contribute to infections of the head of the penis, in which case circumcision may be recommended.