Health Awareness Drives More Men To Choose Circumcision

By Nurhafizah Tan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- Circumcision is commonly associated with young Muslim boys as part of religious obligations and personal hygiene practices from an early age.

However, perceptions towards the procedure are gradually changing, as it is no longer viewed solely as a tradition but is increasingly being considered by adult males for reasons related to health, hygiene and personal comfort.

In line with growing awareness of self-care, discussions surrounding men’s intimate health issues are also becoming more open in modern society.

Aesthetic medical practitioner Dr Chen Tai Ho said the trend is not only gaining traction in Malaysia, but is also being observed in several other Asian countries such as South Korea and the Philippines, where circumcision is increasingly regarded as part of healthcare and lifestyle practices.

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According to him, from a medical perspective, circumcision offers hygiene and health benefits, including helping to reduce the risk of infections in intimate areas.

“However, many adult males still delay treatment despite being aware of these benefits. Among the main reasons are fear, perceptions of pain, and concerns about the recovery period, which they believe may disrupt work and daily routines.

“Some assume that healing takes longer when performed in adulthood. They are also afraid of pain and worry that they may not be able to work as usual,” he told Bernama during a recent media briefing at Premier Clinic.

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He said another common factor discouraging men from undergoing the procedure is the lack of awareness about modern methods, which are now faster and less invasive compared to traditional techniques.

According to Dr Chen, technologies such as stapler circumcision or ZSR, which he began using in 2018, have made the procedure simpler, with reduced bleeding and no need for stitches.

“When we explain these modern options, many people are actually hearing about them for the first time and become more confident in making a decision,” he said.

For Jonathan Chong, 39, it took him quite some time before deciding to undergo the procedure, partly due to friends’ experiences that had shaped his negative perception of circumcision.

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“Based on what my friends told me, many said the traditional process took a long time to heal and was quite painful,” he said.

However, hygiene eventually became the turning point, especially as his active lifestyle, work commitments and frequent travel sometimes made it difficult to maintain personal cleanliness consistently.

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“When travelling frequently, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain proper hygiene, which may lead to irritation. That was when I realised it was important to address the issue,” he said.

After learning about the modern ZSR technology, which offers a faster and more comfortable recovery process, Chong eventually decided to undergo the procedure.

-- BERNAMA