Circumcision: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Circumcision?
A pediatrician, a doctor who cares for babies and children, or a urologist, a doctor who treats the urinary system and the male genital area, can perform a circumcision. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. The foreskin is the loose skin that covers the tip of the penis.
In the United States, circumcision is often done before a new baby leaves the hospital.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Circumcision is often done in healthy boys for cultural or religious reasons. Parents decide whether to have their baby circumcised. Families weigh their own religious, cultural, and personal preferences along with the medical benefits and risks.
Possible medical benefits include the following.
- A lower risk of HIV and some other sexually transmitted infections.
- A slightly lower risk of urinary tract infections in the first year of life and of penile cancer later in life. These are rare in all males.
- Prevention of foreskin infections and phimosis, a condition in which the foreskin cannot be pulled back.
How to prepare
Talk with your baby's health care provider about the benefits and risks before you decide.
- Ask the provider to put a numbing medicine on your baby's penis to lessen the pain.
- Wait if your baby was born early or has health problems. These babies should not be circumcised until they are healthy.
What happens during it
The provider will most often numb the penis with local anesthesia, a medicine that numbs one area.
There are several ways to do it. Most often, the foreskin is pushed back from the head of the penis and clamped with a metal or plastic ring-like device.
With a metal ring, the foreskin is cut off and the device is removed. With a plastic ring, a piece of suture, which is a stitching thread, is tied tightly around the foreskin. The plastic then falls off within 5 to 7 days.
In older and adolescent boys, the foreskin is removed and stitched onto the remaining skin. The stitches dissolve and are absorbed by the body within 7 to 10 days.
Recovery
In newborns, healing takes about 1 week. After each diaper change, put petroleum jelly on the area to protect it. Some swelling and yellow crust around the site is normal.
Older children and teens may take up to 3 weeks to heal. They should avoid vigorous exercise while the wound heals.
Change the dressing at least once a day and apply an antibiotic ointment. Pain medicine should not be needed longer than 4 to 7 days. In infants, use only acetaminophen (Tylenol), if needed.
Contact your provider if pus drains from the area, if pain lasts longer than expected, or if the entire penis looks red and swollen.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
Circumcision is considered a very safe procedure for both newborns and older children. Risks include bleeding, infection, redness around the surgery site, and injury to the penis.
The risks of bleeding, infection, and scarring are low. There is a very low risk of having too much or not enough skin cut off. These risks are higher when circumcision is done on older babies, boys, and men.
Who performs it
A health care provider performs the procedure. Older boys and teens are usually put to sleep with general anesthesia.
Common questions
Does my baby have to be circumcised?
No. Parents decide whether to have their baby circumcised. You can weigh your own religious, cultural, and personal preferences along with the medical benefits and risks.
How long does a circumcision take to heal?
In newborns, healing takes about 1 week. Older children and teens may take up to 3 weeks.
What if my baby is not circumcised?
Your baby's provider can teach you how to keep the penis clean. A newborn's foreskin may not pull back completely. Over time, it pulls back on its own.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can talk through your questions before the decision, check on healing afterward, and refer you to a provider who performs circumcisions.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
