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Circumcision in adults

Checked: 23-11-2022 by Vicky Ryan Next Review: 23-11-2024

Criteria Based Access

Requests for circumcision in adults (and children) is subject to Criteria Based Access. Please see the following policies for details:

Penile Conditions – Surgical Opinion and Treatment including Circumcision in all Male Patients Over the Age of 16

Penile Conditions – Surgical Opinion and Treatment including Circumcision in Patients under the age of 16

Please note that an inability to retract the foreskin in an adult is a risk factor for penile cancer and patients 18 and over with this problem should be referred routinely under the CBA policy.

For further information about circumcision in children please go to the Children's section of Remedy:

Circumcision in children.

Phimosis

Please see the Penile disorders page of Remedy

Red Flags

Red flags for suspected cancer - see below and Urology 2WW section

A penile mass or ulcerated lesion where a sexually transmitted infection has been excluded.(This includes progressive ulceration or a mass particularly in the glans penis or prepuce, but can involve the skin of the penile shaft. For lumps within the corpora cavernosa that do not involve the penile skin, please use the routine referral process.)
A persistent penile lesion after treatment for a sexually transmitted infection has been completed.
Unexplained or persistent symptoms affecting the foreskin or glans (This does not include simple phimosis. Please ensure fungal infections and balanoposthitis have been excluded or treated before considering referral.

Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and agreement of these guidelines, including any content uploaded, referred to or linked to from the system. However, BNSSG ICB cannot guarantee this. This guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, in accordance with the mental capacity act, and informed by the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering. Practitioners are required to perform their duties in accordance with the law and their regulators and nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

Information provided through Remedy is continually updated so please be aware any printed copies may quickly become out of date.