What is a circumcision?

Many male children undergo a procedure known as circumcision shortly after birth. This surgery involves the removal of the foreskin covering the tip of the penis. The surgery isn’t necessary, but it is common in the United States and other parts of the world for religious, social or medical reasons.  Occasionally, an older boy who was not circumcised at birth will need to have the procedure for medical reasons.

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Reviewed by: Cathy Anne Burnweit, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM