« SIDS | Home | Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Overview »
Circumcision??? A choice for Parents
Circumcision is an operation to remove the foreskin of the penis. While recent research suggests that there may be some medical reasons for circumcision, it is mostly performed on babies for family,religious or cultural reasons.
In Australia today, less than 10 per cent of boys are circumcised.
A choice for parents
Circumcision has been performed on boys for thousands of years and for many reasons. Circumcision became a routine practice in most English-speaking countries by the 1950s. However, the trend has reversed over the past 50 years and today less than 10 per cent of baby boys are being circumcised.
Most circumcisions today are performed for family, cultural or religious reasons, or because the look of a circumcised penis is preferred. When considering circumcision for your baby, you need to be aware of the possible risks and benefits.
Some medical reasons for circumcision
Recent research suggests that there may be some medical benefits of circumcision, for example:
Some studies have shown that infants who are circumcised have a significantly reduced risk of getting a urinary tract infection in their first year of life.
- Circumcision eliminates the risk of infants and children getting infections under the foreskin.
- Circumcision almost eliminates the risk of getting cancer of the penis, a very rare condition.
- Circumcised men may have less risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases than men who are not circumcised (these studies have not been scientifically confirmed).
Some reasons not to choose circumcision
There are also good reasons why parents choose not to have their sons circumcised, such as:
- Wanting to avoid surgery that is not essential and carries some risk of complications, even though these are small.
- Concern that removing the foreskin may reduce sensitivity of the tip of the penis and, therefore, reduce sexual pleasure later in life.
- Wanting to avoid the pain of circumcision that can occur at the time of the operation and for some time after.
Circumcision – surgical procedures
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis. The functions of the foreskin include protecting the head of the penis and contributing to sexual sensations.
Circumcision is typically done in the first few days after birth, since the risk of complications increases in older babies, boys and men. Circumcision is an elective surgical procedure, which means in many cases that it is done for cosmetic reasons.
Ultimately, it is a matter of parental choice. Many male babies are circumcised because of religious tradition or hygiene concerns. Studies indicate that circumcision offers health benefits, although some researchers argue the benefits are too small to justify surgery.
Problems associated with the uncircumcised penis
The health risks of remaining uncircumcised include:
- An uncircumcised boy has a greater risk of developing urinary tract infections than a circumcised boy. This increased risk only seems to apply to boys less than 12 months, and the risk declines with age.
- A higher risk of cancer of the penis. However, this type of cancer is very rare in both circumcised and uncircumcised males. Good genital hygiene seems to reduce the risk.
- A slightly higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), however, safe sex practices are far more effective in the prevention of STDs than circumcision.
- Risk of foreskin infections.
- Risk of foreskin contraction (phimosis).
Genital hygiene is more difficult for an uncircumcised boy than a circumcised boy.
Out thanks to the Victorian Government Department for Better Health for this information.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:45 am
I want to clarify, that an intact boy is NOT more difficult to clean than a circumcised one. In fact, you can’t retract the boy because the foreskin is attached to the head of the penis then naturally with the hormones and growth of the boy, this structures will separate until or beyond puberty. There is more chances (in an Israeli study) to get more UTI’s with a circumcised penis because of the exposure of feces and urine, since the meatus is exposed for lack of foreskin. The majority of my family members including my son (3 generations of men) are all intact with no problems, healthy and no STDs running around. Like anything thing in your body, healthy habits are crucial for the natural body. How would we treat an infection of the ear? Do we cut it off too?