Should you cut the frenulum? Let’s clear up this common question with Dr. Beer today.

When is Circumcision Necessary?

Many men choose to get circumcised for various medical or personal reasons, such as:

• Tight foreskin (phimosis) that restricts retraction.
• Frequent infections at the glans (head) of the penis.
• Paraphimosis, where the foreskin gets stuck behind the glans and can’t be pulled back.
• Foreskin tears during sexual activity.
• Religious or hygiene-related reasons, as circumcision is known to improve cleanliness and reduce the risk of STIs and penile cancer.

Do You Need to Cut the Frenulum During Circumcision?

A common question is: If I get circumcised, do I need to cut the frenulum too?

Understanding the Frenulum

The frenulum is a natural band of tissue located under the glans. Everyone has it, but in some cases, it may be too tight and cause issues like:

• Painful erections where the glans bends downward due to frenulum tension.
• Frequent tears during sex that cause bleeding and discomfort.
• Persistent tearing and scarring, making the area more prone to infections.

If these problems occur, a frenuloplasty (surgical release of the frenulum) may be necessary along with circumcision.

Beware of Unnecessary Frenulum Cutting

One major issue Dr. Beer has observed is unnecessary frenulum cutting being pushed onto patients.

If the frenulum is not tight, there is no need to cut it. Some clinics convince patients to undergo this procedure unnecessarily for profit, but in reality, it increases pain, prolongs healing, and may lead to excessive bleeding due to the rich blood supply in this area.

How to Check If You Need Frenulum Surgery?

1. If your foreskin is tight but your frenulum is not causing pain or bending, you probably don’t need it cut.
2. If your frenulum frequently tears during sex or bends the glans downward, you may need a frenuloplasty.
3. If you are unsure, consult a specialist instead of blindly opting for surgery.

Circumcision & Frenulum Release – Can They Be Done Together?

Yes! If the frenulum is tight, it can be released at the same time as circumcision to avoid multiple procedures and unnecessary pain.

Final Advice from Dr. Beer

• If your frenulum is not tight, leave it alone.
  
• Circumcision alone can resolve foreskin-related issues.
  
• If unsure, consult a doctor instead of making an unnecessary decision.

Hope this clears up the confusion about the frenulum and circumcision!

Q&A About Frenulum: Check It Yourself to Cut or Not Cut?

Q1: Do you need to cut the frenulum during circumcision?
A: Not always. Frenulum cutting is usually only needed if the frenulum is tight and causes pain, bending, or repeated tearing.

Q2: How do I know if my frenulum is too tight?
A: Signs include painful erections, the glans pulling downward, or frequent tears/bleeding during sex.

Q3: What is frenuloplasty?
A: Frenuloplasty is a procedure that releases or lengthens a tight frenulum to reduce pain and improve movement.

Q4: Can frenuloplasty and circumcision be done at the same time?
A: Yes. If needed, both can be performed together to avoid multiple procedures.

Q5: What are reasons circumcision may be medically necessary?
A: Common reasons include phimosis, recurrent infections, paraphimosis, repeated foreskin tears, or hygiene-related issues.

MD. Suebphong Angchoun

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