[Male circumcision] Is earlier better value? See the reasons, benefits and costs at a glance.

Parents inevitably have many concerns as their children grow up. For example, if they find that their son’s foreskin cannot be pulled back, or even shows signs of inflammation, they may think of phimosis and wonder whether their child needs to undergo circumcision. Is circumcision painful? Some people also suggest “going under the knife” as soon as a baby is born, believing that infant circumcision is a one-time fix. But is there any medical basis for this claim? 10Life has compiled information from specialist doctors and medical institutions to explain when circumcision is necessary, the surgical procedure and costs, so that parents can use it as a reference.

The foreskin is the soft skin that covers the tip of the penis and protects the glans. It can be moved back and forth, and under normal circumstances, it can be retracted to expose the glans. However, when the foreskin is too long or too tight, this is medically known as “phimosis”. As it is difficult to retract and clean, it may lead to balanitis. Generally speaking, if treatment is started early, soaking the affected area with antiseptic solution can lead to recovery. After recovery, a steroid ointment can be applied to the narrowest part of the foreskin to help loosen a tight foreskin.

If non-surgical treatment does not work well, or if recurrent balanitis or recurrent urinary tract infections occur, the doctor may recommend circumcision, a surgical procedure commonly known as “getting the foreskin cut”. During the operation, the excess foreskin is removed. It is easier to keep clean afterwards, which helps reduce the risk of inflammation.

There are some views in the community that circumcision is better the earlier it is done, but this is not necessarily the case. Specialist doctors point out that it is normal for young children aged 3 to 5 to be unable to retract the foreskin. By around the age of 5, about 90% of boys are able to retract it. Moreover, phimosis does not affect the development of the genitals, and there is little difference between having the operation at 5 or 10 years old. If there are no other symptoms such as recurrent balanitis, there is no need to rush into circumcision.

However, if circumcision is performed only after puberty, the chances of post-operative wound pain and bleeding are indeed higher than for children. In addition, some studies have found that circumcision in newborn babies can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, but the effect is not significant.

Circumcision is still a surgical procedure, so it is understandable that parents may feel heartache at the thought of their son having to “go under the knife”. In fact, newer circumcision techniques can greatly reduce pain and allow for a quicker recovery, so there is no need to worry too much.

A specialist doctor explained that circumcision procedures can be divided into five categories. In recent years, the popular laser no-scalpel circumcision technique, as well as the newer minimally invasive, suture-free circumcision procedure (also known as the circumcision device), cause almost no bleeding and only mild discomfort. After resting for about 1 to 2 days, one can return to work or school.  

In public hospitals, private medical services classify circumcision as a Category 2 minor procedure, with fees ranging from HK$12,750 to HK$19,350. As for circumcision surgery in private hospitals, the cost ranges from over HK$20,000 to over HK$60,000. 

Although circumcision is a minor procedure, proper post-operative care is still necessary for the wound to heal smoothly.

According to the Hospital Authority’s recommendations, the wound and surrounding tissue after circumcision will remain swollen for at least one week. This is normal, and you may shower and bathe as usual. However, patients should pay particular attention to the following:

• After urinating, remove the post-operative dressing, then cleanse the wound with clean water and pat it dry
• If necessary, you may use a paper cup to protect the wound
• If the wound is slightly bleeding, apply direct pressure to the bleeding site

Circumcision surgery can cost tens of thousands of dollars, so if you have medical insurance to help cover the costs, it can ease some of the financial burden. At present, both Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme plans and medical insurance plans cover circumcision, but it is worth noting that the level of cover varies between plans. Before purchasing medical insurance, you should first understand the plan details clearly.

In addition, children, regardless of gender, may fall ill or require inpatient medical treatment. Purchasing medical insurance early can give you greater flexibility in choosing treatment options. If parents are unsure, they may wish to refer to an earlier 10Life article on comparing the coverage scope and benefit limits of children’s Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme plans, or contact 10Life’s professional insurance advisers.

Source: Hospital Authority, CUHK Medical Centre, Hong Kong Specialists and other private healthcare institutions 
Last updated: 28 November 2023

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.