Circumcision: Pros and Cons
What is a circumcision?
Circumcision means cutting off the foreskin, or ring of
tissue, that covers the head of the penis. It is usually
done the day your newborn goes home from the hospital.
Fewer children in the U.S. are being circumcised now than
several years ago. In 1979, 90% of American males were
circumcised compared to 60% now.
The following information should help you decide what is
best for your son.
What is the history of circumcision?
Followers of the Jewish and Moslem faiths perform
circumcision for religious reasons. Nonreligious
circumcision became popular in English-speaking countries
between 1920 and 1950. At this time it was thought that
circumcision might help prevent sexually transmitted
diseases. Circumcision never became a common practice in
most parts of the world. Over 80% of the men in the world
are not circumcised.
What is the purpose of the foreskin?
The foreskin on the penis is not some cosmic error. The
foreskin has a purpose.
- It protects the glans (top of the penis) against urine,
feces, and other types of irritation.
- It protects against infection or scarring of the urinary
opening (although this is rare).
- It protects the sensitivity of the glans.
What are the pros?
Some of the reasons you may want to circumcise are:
- Protects against urinary tract infections (UTIs) during
the first year of life. However, UTIs are rare and
easily treated.
- Prevents infections under the foreskin. It also prevents
persistent tight foreskin. Both of these problems are
rare and are usually due to pulling back the foreskin too
often or too hard.
- Decreases the risk of getting some sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs) later in life, including HIV. However, it
does not completely prevent any STD.
- Lowers the risk of cancer of the penis. However, good
hygiene offers equal protection against this very rare
cancer.
- Keeps your son's appearance "like other boys" or "like his
dad." Boys may not mind looking different from other men
in their family. However, they do mind being harassed in
the locker room or shower about their foreskin. This
could happen if most of their buddies are circumcised.
What are the cons?
Some of the reasons not to circumcise include:
- Problems with surgery. Problems that may occur are skin
or bloodstream infections, bleeding, gangrene, scarring,
and various surgical accidents. One study showed
that 1 of every 500 circumcised newborns suffered a
serious side effect.
- Pain. The procedure causes pain. However, the doctor
can use some anesthetic around the area to block some
of the pain.
- Cost. You may have to pay for the surgery yourself
because many insurance companies do not cover the cost.
- You must decide quickly. If you initially decide not to
have your son circumcised, and then change your mind after
your son is 2 months old, the procedure will require a
general anesthesia. So try to make your final decision
during the first month of life.
Recommendations
Circumcision of boys for religious purposes will continue.
The need to circumcise other boys is open to question. Just
because a father was circumcised doesn't mean that the son
needs to be. Because the foreskin comes as standard
equipment, you might consider leaving it intact, unless your
son will be going to a school where everyone else is likely
to be circumcised. The risks and benefits are both too small
to swing the vote either way. This is a parental decision,
not a medical decision.
Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.