When boys are born today, parents are presented with an option. Should they be circumcised? Some cultures have a circumcision occur later in life, but it has been part of human society in some form for thousands of years. Choosing circumcision or not choosing it depends on weighing the pros and cons of this procedure so that the right choice for your family and your baby is made.
Lower Risks of Urinary Tract Infections
Although a UTI is fairly rare for men to get, it has been known to happen in boys before they reach their first birthday. It is 10 times more common in boys who have not been circumcised compared to boys who have had their foreskin removed. With that being said, however, only 1 baby out of 100 that are born who don’t get circumcised will have the problem.
There Could be Lower Risks for Cancer
It is thought that circumcision could reduce the chances of penile cancer developing at any age. This cancer is extremely rare in both demographics – less than 1% of all cancers are penile cancers. Basing a decision off a 0.3 in 100,000 chance of developing cancer might not be the right choice to make.
It’s Easier to Keep Clean
Issues like inflammation, irritation, and skin degredation are more common in boys who are not circumcised. This is often because the circumcision allows for easier care of the skin. Once the foreskin becomes retractable, which is usually around the age of 5, then better care and cleaning underneath the foreskin can take place.
There Might be Surgical Complications
As with any medical procedure, there may be complications that occur after the procedure. The most common issues are pain and irritation for about 10-14 days after the procedure takes place. Boys are often left with a ring of scar tissue that stays there for the rest of their life. Bleeding and infections are also rather common. Serious complications, including life threatening ones, occur in up to 3% of total surgeries every year.
It Can Be Painful
Although pain relief is now given to infants in many situations during this procedure, historically that hasn’t always been the case. It still may not be the case in your local hospital. Ask about the pain relief options your child will be given because it is a relatively new standard of care and has not been fully implemented across the board.
There is No Proven Sexual Enhancement
Some men claim that they have more sensuality during sex because of being circumcised, but there are also men who say that they have problems with feelings there later in life that they attribute to the procedure. There is no scientific evidence to show that either is a likelihood in any given experience with circumcision.
Although there may be some health benefits, the recommendation of most medical associations is to let parents make their own decision instead of recommending the procedure. That’s why weighing these pros and cons on circumcision is so important, even if your choice is religiously based. It’s a decision that for most boys is one they’ll be looking at for the rest of their lives.
