Circumcision

Nicholas Korn

** Circumcision ** **Overview:** There are two types of circumcision that can be performed: male and female. Male circumci sion is the surgical removal of the foreskin (Burton, 2011). Scientific studies show that there are medical benefits of circumcision; however, these benefits are not sufficient for the American Academy of Pediatrics to recommend all infant boys be circumcised (Burton, 2011). Male Circumcision is one of the oldest and most common surgical procedures worldwide. Circumcision is performed for many reasons including religious, cultural, social, and medical (World Health Organization, 2011). Because circumcision is not essential to a child’s health, parents need to choose what is best for their child by looking at the benefits and risks associated with circumcision (Burton, 2011).

[] **Brief History:** Circumcision has been performed for thousands of years as part of the culture of indigenous people who live in hot environments such as Australia, the Pacific Islands, equatorial countries, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas (Morris, 2006). In the United States, 80%-90% of White and Black males are circumcised (Morris, 2006). This percentage is from circumcisions soon after birth. The overall rate of newborn circumcisions in the United States has been increasing steadily every year since the late 1980s, and this is seen in all racial and ethnic groups (Morris, 2006). **Risks**:

===There are reasons why parents choose not to have their son circumcised. Although complications are rare, they do happen. Complications are usually minor but may include bleeding, infection, cutting the foreskin too short or too long, and improper healing (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). Another reason some do not have their son circumcised is because they feel that the foreskin is needed. Some people believe the foreskin is needed to protect the tip of the penis (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). Additionally some believe it can affect sex. They feel circumcision makes the tip of the penis less sensitive, causing a decrease in sexual pleasure later in life (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). The Most common complications in the United States are minor bleeding and local infection (Center for disease control and prevention, 2008). Another complication that can arise stems from the general anesthetic (Morris, 2006). This is commonly used, and anesthetics always carry risks. Although evidence suggests that circumcision reduced the rate of acquiring an STD, careful sexual practices and hygiene may be just as effective (American academy of family physicians). ===  **Medical Benefits:** There are medical benefits of circumcision. One benefit is that there is a slightly lower risk or urinary tract infections (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). For example, an uncircumcised infant boy has about a 1% chance in developing a urinary tract infection in the first year of life; however, a circumcised infant boy has about a 0.1% chance in developing a urinary tract infection in the first year of life (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). Another benefit is a lower risk of getting cancer of the penis (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). Although this type of cancer is rare, there is still a lower risk of getting it. Uncircumcised men have about 1.5-2 times the risk of prostate cancer, which affects about 1 in 6 (Morris, 2006). An interesting statistic about circumcision is if a male is not circumcised soon after birth, up to 10% will later require one anyway for medical reasons (Morris, 2006). Some other benefits include: a slightly lower risk of getting sexually transmitted infections, prevention of foreskin infections, prevention of phimosis, and easier genital hygiene (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). Additionally credible research shows that most women prefer the appearance of the circumcised penis (Morris, 2006). They also prefer it for sexual activity (Morris, 2006). In general, sexual function is the same or better (Morris, 2006). **Social, Religious, or Cultural Reasons** In regards to social reasons, many parents choose to have the surgical procedure done because all the men in the family have had it done or because they don’t want their sons to feel different. In regards to religious or cultural reasons, some groups, such as the Jewish and Islamic faiths practice circumcision (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). It is part of a process of “becoming a man”. **Summary:** Taken as a whole, few men report sexual functioning is worse after circumcision. Most report either improvement or no change (Center for disease control and prevention, 2008). In a survey conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, they found that 79% of men reported being circumcised (Center for disease control and prevention, 2008). This included 88% of non-Hispanic white men, 73% of non-Hispanic black men, 42% of Mexican American men, and 50% of men of other races/ethnicities (Center for disease control and prevention, 2008). **Conclusions:** Male circumcision has been associated with a lower risk for HIV infection in international studies and in clinical trials (Center for disease control and prevention, 2008). Male Circumcision has also been associated with a number of other health benefits. Although there are risks to male circumcision, serious complications are rare (Center for disease control and prevention, 2008). Men may wish to consider circumcision as an additional HIV prevention measure, but they must recognize: circumcision does not carry risks and costs that must be considered in addition to potential benefits, has only proven effective in reducing the risk of infection through insertive vaginal sex, and confers only partial protection and should be considered only in conjunction with other proven prevention measures- abstinence, mutual monogamy, reduced number of sex partners, and correct and consistent condom use (Center for disease control and prevention, 2008). The recommendation is simple: parents and physicians should discuss the potential harms and benefits of circumcision with each other before the procedure is preformed for their newborn son (American academy of family physicians). **Additional Places to get Information:** //Circumcision Promotion**:**// [] [] [] [] //Circumcision Opposition:// [] [] [] [] **References:** Burton, Marion. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2011. [] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Male Circumcision and Risk for HIV Transmission and Other Health Conditions: Implications for the United States. 7 Feb. 2008. [] Circumcision.American Academy of Pediatrics. 2011. Retrieved from [] Circumcision. Center for Disease Prevention and Control. 2008. Retrieved from [] Circumcision: Information for Parents. 24 Jan. 2011. American Academy of Pediatrics. [] Circumcision. World Health Organization. 2011. Retrieved from [] Morris, Brian. Circumcision: A Guide for Parents. 2006. [] World Health Organization, Male Circumcision: Global Trends and Determinants of Prvelance, Safety, and Acceptability. 2011 []