Vacation Months Is The Best Time To Get Circumsiced

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Circumcision, or the removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis, is prevalent here, with most Filipinos claiming that it is a "rite of passage" to manhood.

Others, meanwhile, believe that the process can make one taller, or have lesser chances of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

But for other doctor, none of these are true. The only purpose of circumcision said, is to remove an unusually tight foreskin from the penis that obstructs the flow of urine.

Once a boy starts to experience problems while urinating, it's time for him to go to a doctor to get himself checked, the doctor said.

"Pero hindi naman talaga 'yun eh, more on avoidance talaga 'pag HIV at STD," he said, referring to the so-called link between circumcision and lower risk of HIV.

He added, "Dapat natitignan talaga 'yan nang mabuti kasi may mga kundisyon na hindi dapat tinutuli ang bata 'pag ang daanan ng ihi hindi nasa tamang lugar kasi malaking disgrasya 'yun. Bago gawin ang tuli, i-examine muna, lalo na 'yung maramihang tuli."

Pedraitic Surgeon Cojuangco, believes that young boys should be given a choice as to when they want to be circumcised. He made the statement as some parents tend to force their children to undergo circumcision even if they're not yet ready.

"Dapat ang bata may choice. Maganda 'pag siya na mismo ang hihingi [na magpatuli], na buong buo na ang loob niya," he said, adding that doctors and other medical professionals should inform their patients about the procedure.

"Ang pinakamagandang edad diyan 'pag 'yung bata handa na. Kasi ngayon 'pag napakabata, bagong panganak, kaya ipinanganak ang bata na hindi tuli kasi proteksyon din 'yun sa kanyang ari," he added.

It takes 7 to 10 days for a wound from circumcision to recover. During the first day, don't let the wound get wet, Cuajunco said.

Bandages may be removed on the second day to speed up the healing process, he added. Wash with soap and water to clean the wound, and wear loose trousers to prevent the penis from rubbing against clothes.

Most people tend to skip fish and red meat after they get circumcised to avoid infection, but the doctor said that this has yet to be proven scientifically.

/Salamat Doc Abs Cbn

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