After adult circumcision the care is generally the same as for children. Bacitracin ointment can be applied along the suture line for a good three to four weeks after the procedure, and then switch to Vaseline until all the stitches dissolve. Doctors use absorbable sutures, so it is good to keep the stitches moist and apply Vaseline until they all dissolve. No further direct care is required after the stitches have dissolved, other than normal cleaning.
Men's Sexual & Reproductive Health
A man's sexual and reproductive health can be affected by many factors, and it changes over time. As young men grow, they may have concerns about sexual function and healthy sperm and fertility if they're trying to have children with their partner. Older men may have questions about erectile dysfunction (ED), maintaining an erection, impotence and treatments that can enable them to have a healthy sex life at any age. Find out more about men's sexual health concerns with expert advice from Sharecare.
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In the United States, doctors generally don't do adult circumcisions with clamps. They tend to use a freehand, or sleeve, technique: A sleeve of foreskin is removed and the edges are sewn back together.
Whether an adult or a child, the procedure is done in the operating room. For adult males, it can be done under a local anesthesia, which numbs the penis. -
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Dr. Harry Fisch, MD , Urology, answeredInfant circumcision is one thing -- it is almost always safe, rapidly-healing and non-traumatic (particularly if anesthetic is used). Adult circumcision is a more involved matter -- healing is much slower and can be complicated by erections. Adult circumcision typically requires abstinence from masturbation or intercourse for between 4 and 6 weeks. Still, circumcision protects against some diseases-- and I believe that adult circumcision may be medically warranted in populations at very high risk for the diseases (i.e. human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) it is known to protect for. It is also advisable in cases of painful or dysfunctional phimosis (inability of the foreskin to retract from the head of the penis) or other, rarer, problems related to the foreskin. -
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There can be no intercourse or masturbation for at least four weeks after circumcision. In terms of everyday activity, start with a couple days of light activity to keep the risk of bleeding down; regular activity can resume shortly thereafter.
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A few years ago, we reached the 20th anniversary of a landmark paper that reported a 50% decline in sperm concentration in western countries. This study generated enormous interest and controversy resulting in the publication of many studies that have demonstrated large and significant geographic differences in semen quality and other reproductive outcomes. Establishing links between these differences and chemicals in the environment is challenging, but a growing body of evidence has found links between a range of male reproductive endpoints and environmental chemicals including some pesticides, phthalates and other endocrine disrupting chemicals. This is a research area of growing importance and concern. -
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See All 2 AnswersMost of the time, circumcision is not necessary. For many years, it was believed that circumcision decreased the risk of urinary tract infections, but research has not been able to prove this belief. Because of this, circumcision is a personal choice for families of healthy boys.
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Doctors can select from several types of clamps when doing circumcisions. The most common types are the Gomco clamp, the Plastibell clamp and the Mogen clamp. However, there are some others that are used less frequently.
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredTake these steps -- starting today -- for super-swimmer sperm:- Eat little to no bad fats and more good fats. Eating lots of saturated fat (found in red meats, processed meats, full-fat dairy products, and many snack foods and desserts) can reduce sperm counts by 38% and slow the swimming ability of the remaining 62%. Getting more omega-3 fatty acids (from fish such as salmon and wild trout), however, means higher sperm counts. To get more omega-3s, you can also take 1,500 milligrams of a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (the most active omega-3) supplement daily. Take 1,500 mg for 10 weeks, and then cut back to 1,000 mg.
- Hang out at the farm stand. Filling up on fruit and vegetables protects sperm quality and quantity by revving up your body's defenses that keep 'em healthy.
- Add vitamin D3 and zinc. Plenty of vitamin D3 helps sperm swim better and faster. Aim for 1,000 IU a day from a D3 supplement. Add 12 mg of zinc a day for a healthy sperm count and superior shape. Find zinc in your multivitamin and in healthful food sources, including poultry, beans, cashews, and yogurt with no fat or added sugar.
- Get that laptop off your lap and your phone out of your pocket. Surfing the Web or checking e-mail with a Wi-Fi-connected laptop in your lap is bad news for male fertility since it thwarts sperms' swimming skills and the precious DNA (yours!) cargo they carry. Phones may hamper male fertility, too.
- Keep cool where it counts. Sperm production needs temperatures cooler than the rest of your body, which is why hot tubs, a fever, and even a desk job can decrease your sperm count. Take stand-up breaks at work, let 'em breathe, and make the switch from briefs to boxers. Tight underwear can reduce sperm count by up to 50%. Cyclists, mix up your exercise routine, too.
- Skip the drinks and smokes. Smoking tobacco is harmful to male fertility. It can cut your sperm count by 13% to 17% and increases the risk of genetic abnormalities, so it's best to quit smoking. There's evidence that marijuana is also bad news. More than one beer, glass of wine, or cocktail a day also messes with sperm quality. After two drinks, sperm get mixed up and travel in weird directions.
- Stay trim for your swimmers. Being overweight subtracts from your sperm count and ups the number of abnormal sperm in your arsenal. Why? Obesity may alter hormone levels and heat up your testicles. Losing weight can also cure erectile dysfunction if you're unable to achieve an erection.
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredHealthy sperm and a robust sperm count improve your odds that a single sperm will survive its ultramarathon journey and meet an eligible egg. Sperm have different functions. Some act like blockers to stop other sperm, which makes "survival of the fittest" sense for animals with multiple mates during rutting season, while others are sprinters designed to beat a path to the egg. More than half of a guy's sperm are the sprinter/swimmer type, and those oval heads need to be strong enough to break through an egg's tough outer layer.
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See All 2 AnswersAn enlarged prostate, or BPH, likely does not affect fertility in most men.
Inflammation of the prostate, or prostatitis, is a very common condition. It is likely present even in many men without any symptoms. For most men, it likely does not affect fertility. However, for some men, prostatitis can cause inflammatory molecules that can interfere with sperm function, or even cause calcification or scarring with blockage of the sperm ducts.
Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men, however, we certainly see it in men who are interested in building families. Although cancer of any type can affect sperm production, the primary fertility concerns for prostate cancer patients are related to prostate cancer treatment. Surgery for prostate cancer prevents ejaculation and creates a blockage for sperm transport. Hormonal treatments for prostate cancer shutdown testicular function, including sperm production. Finally, radiation treatments for prostate cancer can affect both sperm production as well as transport. For this reason, for men pursuing prostate cancer treatment, we advise semen cryopreservation before initiating therapy.