The Pros and Cons of Circumcisionby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 04 May 2009 10:34 AM When you have a boy, you need to make a decision about whether or not you will have him circumcised. For a few parents, the decision is easy to make, based on their own religious tradition or personal convictions. But for most parents, it is a decision that requires at least a bit of thought. Do you believe that all males should be circumcised or not? Here are some pros and cons. Health and Hygiene Many people who decide on circumcision do it because of a desire to keep their child healthy. In fact, a circumcised penis is easier to keep clean, and studies have shown that there is a decrease in the risk for contracting HIV and developing certain cancers for circumcised men. However, the debate still rages on, with medical experts making statements, retracting statements and then restating the first set of statements. So the health benefits of circumcision may not be as large as once thought. For example, recent studies have shown a decrease in the number of uncircumcised men who contract HIV. Practicing good hygiene and health can reduce the risk of infections and other health conditions related to an intact foreskin. There are some conditions that are never seen in circumcised males. One of the most common is paraphimosis. This condition occurs when the foreskin is retracted and then cannot go back to its original position. Blood can pool in the veins, leading to swelling and a large amount of pain. Pain and Discomfort At one time, doctors didn't believe that newborns could feel pain while circumcised. We all know of course that this is untrue. Modern circumcisions can be done with an anesthetic, and even without one, doctors describe the pain as more discomfort than pain. A recent study showed that baby's who were given a pacifier dipped in a sugar solution at the beginning of the procedure did not show any signs of discomfort. Circumcision does require cutting and there is bleeding involved. Diapers and urine can irritate the tip of the penis after a circumcision. However, if a circumcision is done later than infancy, the procedure is much more complicated with greater pain and risks. There is a lot more involved with the decision on whether or not to circumcise. Would you like to learn more about this topic? Do you have your own opinion on the procedure? Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right. Related Articles: Making the Transition to a Toddler Bed Co-Sleeping Versus Bed Sharing You Tube: How to Swaddle Your Baby Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantbaby tags User Comments thompsonsaraht (21) 05 May 2009 02:55 AMReally? The only con is a little discomfort? No risk of infection? No risk of the doctor messing up? With all those pros and one very minor bit of discomfort as the only con, who could possibly refuse to have their son circumcised? ml66uk (6) 05 May 2009 06:27 AMCircumcising later in life is actually safer, less painful, and gives better cosmetic results. You might also want to check out the following: Canadian Paediatric Society http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/fn/fn96-01.htm "Recommendation: Circumcision of newborns should not be routinely performed." http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/pregnancy&babies/circumcision.htm "Circumcision is a 'non-therapeutic' procedure, which means it is not medically necessary." "After reviewing the scientific evidence for and against circumcision, the CPS does not recommend routine circumcision for newborn boys. Many paediatricians no longer perform circumcisions." Royal Australasian College of Physicians http://www.racp.edu.au/download.cfm?DownloadFile=A453CFA1-2A57-5487-DF36DF59A1BAF527 "After extensive review of the literature the Royal Australasian College of Physicians reaffirms that there is no medical indication for routine neonatal circumcision." (those last nine words are in bold on their website, and almost all the men responsible for this statement will be circumcised themselves, as the male circumcision rate in Australia in 1950 was about 90%. "Routine" circumcision is now *banned* in public hospitals in Australia in all states except one.) British Medical Association http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/malecircumcision2006?OpenDocument&Highlight=2,circumcision#Circumcisionformedicalpurposes "to circumcise for therapeutic reasons where medical research has shown other techniques to be at least as effective and less invasive would be unethical and inappropriate." drops in male circumcision: USA: from 90% to 57% Canada: from 47% to 9.2% UK: from 35% to about 5% (less than 1% among non-Muslims) Australia: 90% to 12.6% ("routine" circumcision has recently been *banned* in public hospitals in all states except one, so the rate will now be a lot lower) New Zealand: 95% to below 3% (mostly Samoans and Tongans) South America and Europe: never above 5% It's worth remembering that no-one except for Muslim and Jewish people would even be having this discussion if it weren't for the fact that 19th century doctors thought that : a) masturbation caused various physical and mental problems (including epilepsy, convulsions, paralysis, tuberculosis etc), and b) circumcision stopped masturbation. Both of those sound ridiculous today I know, but if you don't believe me, then check out this link: http://www.noharmm.org/docswords.htm Over a hundred years later, circumcised men keep looking for new ways to defend the practice. The record payout for a botched circumcision is $22.8 million. It was said at the time that the victim "will never be able to function sexually as a normal male and will require extensive reconstructive surgery and psychological counseling as well as lifelong urological care and treatment by infectious disease specialists." Sure, cases like that are very rare, but why should they happen at all? If you look up the galleries of botched jobs, one thing that may surprise you is just how many jobs were botched cosmetically, rather than medically. Skin tags and skin bridges and hair growing half way up the shaft are not normal, but would not be counted as medical complications. News just in last month: A jury in Atlanta has awarded $1.8 million to a boy whose penis was severed in a botched circumcision five years ago. The Fulton County jury also awarded the boy's mother another $500,000.  Mary Ann Romans |
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