Soon-to-be parents of boys face a big decision: to circumcise or not to circumcise. The procedure has medical disadvantages and disadvantages. Religion guides the decision-making for some, but for others, the final determination generally boils down to personal preferences and what the parents believe would make their son happiest and healthiest.
Basics
Circumcision is the surgical removal of what is known as the foreskin. The foreskin is a hood of skin that covers the head, or glans, of the penis. In the United States, circumcision most often takes place in a hospital setting before the newborn has gone home, according to KidsHealth.org. A pediatrician, family doctor or obstetrician performs the surgery. In some cases, for religious ritual reasons, families have circumcision done at home.
Geography
In the United States, as of 2010 between 55 percent and 65 percent of newborn boys undergo the procedure, often within 2 days of birth, according to KidsHealth.org. It is most common in the north central states and least common in the western states. The surgery is also widespread in Canada and the Middle East but is not popular in most of Europe or in Asia, South America or Central America, according to KidsHealth.org.
Benefits
Some parents choose circumcision for their sons because it fits with their religious or cultural beliefs. Another advantage is that a circumcised penis can make a boy or man less prone to certain infections. During the first year of life, urinary tract infections occur one-tenth as often in circumcised boys as in those who are uncircumcised, according to the Mayo Clinic. And circumcised men, according to the clinic, may have a slightly lower risk of some sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Penile cancer--which is rare in any case, also occurs less often in circumcised males, according to the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, circumcision makes it easier to keep the penis clean.
Disadvantages
The circumcision procedure, like any surgery, carries risks. It can cause excessive bleeding or an infection; fortunately, such outcomes are rare, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also, the procedure can be painful, and the the American Academy of Pediatrics supports the use of pain relief for babies who have it done--though the organization does not recommend that it be routinely done.
Considerations
Claims that circumcision affects sensitivity of the penis, either positively or negatively, are, according to KidsHealth.org, without proof. It does alter the appearance of the penis in a way that is difficult or impossible to reverse later, according to the Mayo Clinic. And it does not affect fertility. One situation in which the decision may be straightforward is in the case of a medical condition such as an abnormality of the penis. In such cases, according to the Mayo Clinic, circumcision is avoided so that doctors can make use of the foreskin in a surgical repair.
