How to Decide Whether to Circumcise

Hearing "It's a boy!" is a thrilling experience for parents who hoped to raise a son, but one of the first major decisions a mom and dad has to make is whether or not to circumcisehe believes it be genital mutilation. While the procedure is a common one when performed shortly after the boy's arrival, it can be more complicated if the parents choose to hold off until later in their son's life. It's a choice that shouldn't be made lightly so we've rounded up some issues to take into consideration.
their son. A San Francisco man wants to outlaw this practice because

• Do you know the facts? Circumcision is an anatomy altering decision. Culture, religion, and personal preference all come into play, but how well do you know the medical facts?

• How important is circumcision to you? It's a Jewish tradition to have a bris on a baby boy's eighth day of life. And, roughly half of all parents choose to circumcise their sons. On an episode of Desperate Housewives, Bree and Orson got into a disagreement over circumcising their newborn so she went to a friend's bris and had her own son nipped without Orson's knowledge. How important is circumcision to you?

• The benefits of circumcision - According to WebMD: In studies published in the past decade, the removal of the foreskin provided a 50% reduction in HIV transmission, a threefold reduction in human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in female partners of circumcised men (HPV can cause cervical cancer), and lower rates of syphilis and chlamydia, which causes sterility and is the main sexually transmitted disease among teenagers. Circumcised infants were also roughly 10 times less likely to suffer urinary tract infections and the high fevers associated with them. And circumcision virtually eliminates serious penile cancers, which invade about 1 in 100,000 uncircumcised men.

• There are risks to circumcision - There are risks when a circumcision is performed. According to WebMD:

• Minor problems are short-term and may include:

  • Oozing or slight bleeding from the surgical site.

  • Infection of the circumcision site or at the opening to the urethra.

  • Irritation of the exposed tip of the penis (glans) as a result of contact with stool or urine.

  Long-term minor problems can include:

  • Damage to the opening of the urethra, which leads from the bladder to the tip of the penis (meatal stenosis).

  • Scarring of the penis from infection or surgical error. For example:

  • The entire foreskin may not be removed, leaving portions of it attached to the penis (skin bridge). This may cause pain during erection.

  • Scar tissue can grow outward toward the tip of the penis from the cut edge of the foreskin. Repeat surgery on the penis may be required to improve appearance or to allow normal passage of urine if the opening from the bladder has been blocked by this scar tissue.

  • The outer skin layer (or layers) of the penis may be removed accidentally.

  • An opening that is too small for the foreskin to retract over the penis (phimosis). This can happen if too little foreskin is removed.

  Major problems are very rare but can include:

  • A complete removal of the skin covering the shaft of the penis, causing the penis to appear to have been completely surgically removed.

  • Too much bleeding. Stitches may be needed to stop the bleeding.

  • Serious, life-threatening bacterial infection.

  • Partial or full removal (amputation) of the tip of the penis. (This is extremely rare.)

• AAP considered changing view of circumcision - Ten years after the American Association of Pediatrics issued a policy statement suggesting that circumcision of newborn boys is not necessary if they are taught proper hygiene, the Centers for Disease Control is considering making the procedure routine in an effort to prevent the spread of HIV.

• Tips for caring for a circumcised penis - According to UCSF Children's Hospital: Circumcisions usually heal within 7 to 10 days. Until that time, sponge baths are recommended instead of immersion baths. Call your pediatrician:

  • If the wound does not stop bleeding

  • If your son does not have a wet diaper within 12 to 24 hours after the circumcision

  • If the redness and swelling do not go away or get worse after three to five days

  • If your son has a temperature greater than 37.5 C/ 100.0 F under the arm

  • If you notice a foul odor

  Most doctors also recommend swirling a generous amount of A&D ointment on the penis during diaper changes within this period.

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