Circumcising Your Son
Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Circumcision
If you are expecting a boy, likely you are trying to decide whether or not circumcision is right for you and your baby. In some cases, circumcision may not be a procedure that both parents may initially agree on. And likely you both have many questions about the pros and cons of this delicate procedure. Here are answers to many of the basic questions parents may ask about circumcision including the risks, benefits and what the experts say with regard to circumcision.
Are there any health benefits to circumcision?
Some evidence has shown that circumcision does reduce the incidence of penile infection and may lower the risk of penile cancer in adult men, however the overall risk of penile cancer in adult males is also extremely rare.
There is limited evidence that circumcision may reduce the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases; however the adult male's sexual practices have a greater effect on the spread of STDs versus whether or not he is circumcised.
Are there risks to circumcision?
The most common problems associated with circumcision are bleeding during the procedure and infection. Sometimes the exposed skin around the baby's penis can also become irritated from the pressure of the diaper. Most of these problems are rare but treatable.
Parents are often concerned about their son's level of pain during a circumcision. It is quite apparent that the newborn does experience pain and that the pain from this procedure is notable. For that reason alone, some parents may feel that circumcision is not what they want their newborn son to be exposed to within the first week of life.
How often is circumcision performed?
The incidence of circumcision varies widely by the country. For example, in 2005, the rate of circumcision in Canada was about 9%, in Australia 12%, the UK 15-20% and in the United States 56%. Over the last 50 years, fewer parents seem to be opting to have this procedure done since the circumcision rate in the early 1950's among caucasian parents was 80%.
Do the medical experts recommend circumcision?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement in 1999 which states that:
"Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision. In circumstances in which there are potential benefits and risks, yet the procedure is not essential to the child's current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision. If a decision for circumcision is made, procedural analgesia should be provided."
In other words, there is not enough evidence for the APP to recommend that circumcision be performed on all male babies. However in cases where parents opt for circumcision, the AAP recommends that it should be performed using pain medication.
Part 2 of this series includes information on who performs a circumcision and options you may have.
What are your thoughts about circumcision? Share them with us.
