Controversy exists over whether circumcision carries any health benefit for the male infant or whether it is simply a parent's choice.
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.
The copyright of the article Circumcising Your Son in Prenatal Health is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish Circumcising Your Son in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
This is a nice summary of some of the risks and/or benefits of
circumcision. It seems like much of the research indicates there are
potential health benefits to circumcision, but they are not any sort of
guarantee. Circumcision really seems to be declining in the U.S. as more
people become educated about it. In the past, I don't think it was
discussed as much and was just sort of a given. There is actually a really
good debate with even some more risks and benefits described at
www.opposingviews.com/questions/should-boys-be-circumcised. Experts from
both sides debate the issue and it's a really thorough read on the topic.
Nov 3, 2008 6:36 PM
Guest :
Shouldn't the child's rights also be an issue?
It can be
inferred from a medical description of infant circumcision that it is an
unnecessary surgery, and therefore essentially a form of battery. Another
consideration should be that this involves permanently disfiguring a rather
important body part, potentially causing problems that develop later in
life and/or causing resentment from the victim.
Nov 18, 2008 10:31 AM
Guest :
My husband is circumcised and he says it's the better during sexual
intercourse, I've had many friends who are not circumcised and who wish
they were. I don't think child's right has to do something in it. It's for
the benefit of the child, it's what you think is best for your child.
Because of so many rights for the children that many of them end up like
they are today. I have a son and he is not circumcised, I didn't want it
but now after several infection on the foreskin of his penis, I'm thinking
that I should have listen to my husband, and circumcised him which would
have prevented these infections.
Nov 18, 2008 10:55 AM
Guest :
My husband is circumcised and he says it's the better during sexual
intercourse, I've had many friends who are not circumcised and who wish
they were. I don't think child's right has to do something in it. It's for
the benefit of the child, it's what you think is best for your child.
Because of so many rights for the children that many of them end up like
they are today. I have a son and he is not circumcised, I didn't want it
but now after several infection on the foreskin of his penis, I'm thinking
that I should have listen to my husband, and circumcised him which would
have prevented these infections.
response:
A few
years ago the young son of a friend at work suffered repeated urinary tract
infections. The kid had one of those little elephant trunks at the end of
his penis. Dad agreed with the doctor that circumcision was better than
probably years of UTIs, but was concerned about the 4 year old's self
image. Mom still did not want a circumcision. Someone suggested a minimal
circumcision, which leaves enough foreskin to barely but fully cover the
glans. Dad asked the doctor to suggest and explain this to his wife. The
doctor told Mom that the boy could be spared years of UTIs and antibiotics,
even risk of kidney damage, if just a tiny little foreskin were removed.
The foreskin would still fully cover the penis, and no one would ever know
that he was not born that way. Mom finally agreed, the UTIs stopped, and
the foreskin still appears absolutely natural. The kid is fine with his
little fix. Mom even agreed to have minimal circumcisions at birth for
their two younger boys. Mom now says minimal circumcision is fine for boys
left intact, maybe all boys, like it was her idea. Dad supposes that being
left intact with a minicirc is fine.
Feb 3, 2009 5:15 AM
Guest :
How on earth would "guest" Nov 18's husband know whether
circumcision was better during sexual intercourse? Was he recently
circumcised? Better for whom? In my experience foreskin seems to increase
stimulation from the woman's perspective. Another reason to look for a
younger man...
Jul 5, 2009 9:32 PM
Guest :
I've always thought it would be wrong to remove a part of somebodies body
without their permission, even if they're my child - though there are some
POTENTIAL health benefits I haven't seen enough proof to say that I could
do that to my child - that said my partner feels differently.
