Circumcision - was it more common in the Uk pre-1990

Was circumcision practiced more in the UK before 1990? For me, I was diagnosed with a tight foreskin in the mid 1970s, and although not circumcised as a result, the Dr who diagnosed it did recommend circumcision on more than one occasion. I also know of classmates at the time who were circumcised in the summer holidays as a result of being diagnosed the same during medicals conducted by the same doctor. As routine school medicals were phased out in the 1980s, I assume the diagnosis of tight foreskins declined, and possibly the number of circumcisions?

@Examined , I would tend to agree with your theory with this. As I have written on other threads, I experienced an identical experience to yourself and was so close to being circumcised as a result of a school medical when I was 7.

In my area in the 1970s and 80s, no male would have escaped having his foreskin checked during some point at school and hence most cases of phimosis would have been caught and rectified. I think this was quite the norm across the UK.

As these medicals no longer take place, its fair to think that there might be a larger number of young males nowadays with foreskin issues and that circumcision rates have decreased.

@JP1 Yet we don't hear of an increase in illnesses due to phimosis, which would seem to indicate these circumcisions were not that useful.

The actual reason from the 1880s on was to lower the "risk" of masturbation. It really dropped off in the UK in the early 1950s when NH refused to pay for it except if you could show a medical reason. Most insurance in the US will pay and it remains common.

@Jacana . Agree with you. The school doctor wanted me circumcised as seems to be the case with @Examined.

It turned out to be completely unnecessary in my case and hence it appeared the school doctor who did my exam was too eager to suggest it

@JP1 I'm still unsure whether my phimosis would have receded on its own if adults had not insisted on intervention.