Beyond clinical reports: a narrative review of self-circumcision through the lens of social media, commerce, and case studies

OBJECTIVE: Given the paucity of systematic research on self-circumcision, this study aims to synthesize existing case data to highlight its risks and inform preventive measures. METHODS: We summarized the case data on academic websites and reports from news media as well as items from online shopping platforms, and analyzed the prevalence, motivations, methods, and complications of self-circumcision. RESULTS: We found that self-circumcision is an under-researched subject in the medical community. Its most common motivations include economic factors, cultural and religious beliefs, fear of medical environment, and social and psychological factors. Some of the most commonly reported complications include bleeding and hematomas, infection, skin necrosis and tissue damage, urethral damage, penile deformities, and psychological effects. Some circumcision products on e-commerce platforms contain exaggerated, misleading, and false claims. CONCLUSIONS: Self-circumcision represents a dangerous and largely unregulated practice with potentially severe medical and psychological consequences.