15 Square - Research Statistics
The statistics on this page have come from the database created by our amazing intern from Keele University
The following charts and facts are taken from 15 Square’s correspondence data. The information that is expressed in these statistics is only what is volunteered by correspondents. We never ask for the information. For this reason, some of the issues affecting men are an absolute minimum and the true statistics may be even higher.
Again, this is information that is volunteered by the contacts. Many men may not even talk about these issues due to the sensitivities surrounding the subject.
Young men or their parents are the groups that get in touch with us the most often. This shows the lack of information and accurate resources available to the public.
The standards for adequate alternatives that are less invasive than a circumcision should be to offer a steroid cream whilst detailing stretching techniques and then (failing these) exploring a less invasive surgical procedure such as a preputioplasty. These are rarely explored, and often the creams will be prescribed without detailing the correct application procedure.
Even recognised issues such as sensitivity changes are downplayed or completely ignored. This means there are no cases where we can honestly assume there was informed consent.
Physiological Phimosis is not taught in schools or to parents. There is rarely an indication for circumcision in these age groups.
Of legitimate phimosis cases, these are generally caused by incorrect care practices such as forced retraction (a practice which tears the foreskin from the glans that it is naturally adhered to in early life).
66% of the intact men who got in touch were suffering from phimosis, a condition that can be resolved without circumcision in most cases.
“Unspecified” indicates that the contact expressed that they had some form of psychological issue that they attributed to their circumcision but did not give any details.
15 Square estimate that circumcisions due to phimosis are overdiagnosed by 4.5x – 8x the expected incidence of phimosis.
“Ballooning” is not an indication for circumcision and is a natural part of normal development.
“Repairs” would almost always be unnecessary if the foreskin was left intact and unmodified as often as possible.
Contacts by Countries
The majority of queries that we know the country of origin are from the UK, however we have an international profile, especially among the countries that have a high number of English speakers.
Contacts to 15 Square
The peak was due to expanded news coverage from the BBC. This shows that there are even more men out there who are affected but have not found us. 15 Square are attempting to bridge this gap.
The trough in 2014 is due to 15 Square stopping the records procedure due to an infrastructure restructure. An assumed average has been plotted.