How Long to Wait for Sex After Circumcision

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How Long to Wait for Sex After Circumcision

Many parents decide to circumcise their baby boys for various reasons. It could be due to religion. Maybe they do it because circumcision removes the extra foreskin, making the penis easier to clean. Some parents go forward with the procedure because a circumcised penis simply looks better. 

Most circumcisions happen shortly at birth. However, there are situations in which teens or adults may decide to get circumcised. They primarily do it for health reasons. An uncut penis can develop serious medical issues such as:

• Phimosis. This is when the foreskin becomes so tight that it cannot retract. 
• Paraphimosis. This is when the foreskin gets caught behind the penis and cannot retract.
• Balanitis. This refers to inflammation of the head of the penis.
• Balanoposthitis. This refers to inflammation of the foreskin and glans. 

These diseases can be painful and embarrassing for men. That’s why many choose to get circumcised as they get older. 

But once a male gets circumcised, they may wonder: when can I have sex again? Obviously, this is not a concern for babies who are circumcised, but in the teen and adult years, sex becomes very important. At the very least, the boy or man may engage in masturbation, so how long do they have to wait to resume their sex lives after circumcision?

How Long Should I Wait?

For the most part, you should wait at least four weeks before resuming sex after circumcision. Six weeks is optimal. This allows your penis to fully heal so you don’t develop any complications. Having sex before the four-week period puts added strain on the wound and if you have stitches, they could pop open, delaying the healing process. You should avoid getting an erection at all if possible, so refrain from both sex and masturbation during the healing process. Even if four weeks have passed, you should not have sex if you still have stitches or open wounds. Your doctor can advise you if you have concerns. 

Why You Need to Wait

You may be raring to get back to your bedroom activities after just a few days. You may feel good and ready to perform, but you shouldn’t. Even if you think you are fully healed by this time, chances are, you’re not. Having sex or masturbating is not a good idea and could cause complications such as:

• Unusual discharge from the penis
• Swelling of the penis
• Bleeding from the wound
• Pain while urinating
• Intense pain and cramps in the lower abdomen
• Erectile dysfunction 

Contact Us Today

Circumcisions can be done at any age, but as a person gets older, they become more complicated. This is especially true when it comes to sexual activity. If you are considering circumcision, contact a New York doctor from Lazare Urology. We’ll guide you through the process and inform you of the risks and benefits. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (718) 568-7516. We serve the Brooklyn area.