
4 Health Benefits of Circumcision
- Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer. A recent large study published in BJU International found that circumcision had a protective effect against prostate cancer risk, especially among black men who ...
- Lower Risk of Contracting HIV. Three studies found that circumcision had a protective effect against HIV. ...
- Fewer Medical Conditions. ...
Do the benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks?
The study said the benefits of circumcision outweighed the risks of the procedure 100 to 1. 4. Lower Risk of Infection. Several studies have found that uncircumcised boys are more likely to contract urinary tract infections than circumcised boys.
Does circumcision reduce risk of prostate cancer?
1. Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer. A recent large study published in BJU International found that circumcision had a protective effect against prostate cancer risk, especially among black men who are at high risk.
Does circumcision increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases?
Sexually transmitted diseases and circumcision involve behavior, hygiene practices, culture, and religion, and it is impossible to control all the confounding variables that affect sexual behavior and circumcision status. Circumcision may increase the risk of developing gonorrhea and chlamydia.
What is circumcision and how does it work?
Circumcision is usually performed on the first or second day after birth. (Among the Jewish population, circumcision is done on the eighth day.) The procedure becomes more complicated and riskier in older babies, children, and men. During a circumcision, the foreskin is freed from the head of the penis, and the excess foreskin is clipped off.

Why is circumcision important?
Circumcision is known to reduce the risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as a urethral or bladder infection.
Does circumcision reduce the risk of cancer?
In general circumcision has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer of the penis. Although the studies show the circumcision advantages, the procedure is far from being generally accepted as a medical necessity with associated benefits more than disadvantages.
Is circumcision good for boys?
While part of the culture, there are several potential advantages and disadvantages associated with circumcising boys shortly after they are born. The circumcision hygienic advantages have been discussed and studied widely: Circumcision is hygienic and prevents for diseases! Circumcision is known to reduce the risk of developing a urinary tract ...
What Is Circumcision?
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the tissue covering the head (glans) of the penis. It is an ancient practice that has its origin in religious rites. Today, many parents have their sons circumcised for religious or other reasons.
When is circumcision done?
Circumcision is usually performed on the first or second day after birth. (Among the Jewish population, circumcision is done on the eighth day.) The procedure becomes more complicated and riskier in older babies, children, and men. Circumcision Surgery: What to Expect.
How long does it take to circumcise a baby?
When a newbornis circumcised, the procedure takes about 5-10 minutes. Adult circumcision takes about an hour.
Is circumcision a risk?
Like any other surgical procedure, there are risks in getting circumcision. But this risk is low. Problems linked to circumcision include:
Should parents talk to their doctor about circumcision?
Parents should talk with their doctor about the benefits and risks of the procedure before deciding whether to circumcise a male child. Other factors, such as your culture, religion, and personal preference, will also be involved in your decision. Circumcision Benefits.
Is circumcision a medical issue?
The use of circumcision for medical or health reasons is an issue that continues to be debated. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that the health benefits of newbornmale circumcision outweigh the risks, but the benefits are not great enough to recommend universal newborn circumcision.
Why do men need circumcision?
The following are four potential health benefits to circumcision. 1. Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer.
How much does circumcision reduce prostate cancer risk?
The study found that men who were circumcised when they were older than 35 years of age decreased their prostate cancer risk by 45 percent. For men circumcised within 1 year of birth, prostate cancer risk was decreased by 14 percent. This finding is important, especially for populations that are at high risk for prostate cancer.
How many male newborns are circumcised?
More than half of male newborns in the United States are circumcised. Circumcision, the partial or total removal of foreskin from the penis, is performed for religious, social, and health reasons. Though the national rate of newborn circumcision has declined, more than half of male newborns in this country are circumcised, ...
Does circumcision reduce the risk of HIV?
Lower Risk of Contracting HIV. Three studies found that circumcision had a protective effect against HIV. The studies conducted in Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda revealed that circumcision lowers a man’s risk of becoming infected with HIV as much as 60 percent. 3. Fewer Medical Conditions.
Is circumcision bad for your foreskin?
A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that half of uncircumcised males will contract an adverse medical condition caused by their foreskin over their lifetime. The study said the benefits of circumcision outweighed the risks of the procedure 100 to 1. 4. Lower Risk of Infection.
Do uncircumcised boys get urinary tract infections?
Several studies have found that uncircumcised boys are more likely to contract urinary tract infections than circumcised boys. According to a 2012 study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the risk of infection was about 88 percent lower in circumcised boys. NEWSLETTERS.
Is circumcision good for health?
4 Health Benefits of Circumcision. The procedure remains controversial, but research suggests it has its advantages. More than half of male newborns in the United States are circumcised. Circumcision, the partial or total removal of foreskin from the penis, is performed for religious, social, and health reasons.
What diseases does circumcision prevent?
The most significant changes since the last recommendation in 1999 are new studies demonstrating a protective effect of circumcision against acquiring several sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (the virus that causes genital warts, cancer of the penis and cancer of the cervix) and syphilis.
What is the AAP's new policy on circumcision?
The new policy is based on a thorough review of the available scientific evidence, which shows clearer health benefits than had previously been ...
Is circumcision safe for men?
Male circumcision has been shown scientifically to provide benefits to the person being circumcised, and has a proven track record for safety when conduct ed by a trained health professional using sterile procedure.
Is female genital cutting the same as circumcision?
The two procedures are not the same at all. Female genital cutting is mutilation and is not circumcision. The scientific evidence of female genital cutting indicates only harm and no health benefits. In male circumcision, the anatomy and procedure is different.
Does insurance cover circumcision?
Such newly and widely documented health benefits, says the AAP in related literature, are great enough that the insurance should cover the cost of circumcision, “which would increase access to the procedure for families who choose it.”
Is circumcision a preventive procedure?
The preventive and public health benefits associated with newborn male circumcision, however, “warrant third-party reimbursement of the procedure,” including Medicaid, says AAP. It goes on to recommend that circumcision in infancy be performed by “trained and competent providers, using sterile techniques and effective pain management.”
Why is circumcision important?
This is particularly important since higher bacteria can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs). There are contradicting studies proving and disapproving the actual percentage rate; numbers suggest the rates of UTIs increase tenfold among uncircumcised men.
Why do people not like circumcision?
Another major reason for those opposed to circumcision is the potential for decreased sexual function. Premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and difficulty achieving orgasm are often associated with circumcision side effects later in life. Research estimates that circumcised men are 4.5 times more likely to take ED medication.
How many men underwent delayed circumcision in 2006?
In 2006, a controlled study was conducted in Africa where almost 5,000 men underwent delayed circumcision. Scientists noted a reduction of HIV by 1-2%. Others have noted that HIV is not as prevalent in the United States, making protection less significant.
What is the surgical removal of the tip of the penis called?
Circumcision, which is the surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis, also called the foreskin, can have multiple effects on a man. However, it’s often a decision made on his behalf, since circumcision typically occurs shortly after birth.
Does circumcision reduce UTIs?
There are contradicting studies proving and disapproving the actual percentage rate; numbers suggest the rates of UTIs increase tenfold among uncircumcised men. In addition to lowered UTIs, it’s also widely suggested that circumcision can reduce the risk of penile cancer and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Why is foreskin painful?
The foreskin contains many nerve endings which makes it quite painful for infants and adult men. Because it is a surgical procedure, another disadvantage is the chance of complication during or after surgery. Problems with urination or having too much skin removed have been reported.
Do circumcised men take ED?
Research estimates that circumcised men are 4.5 times more likely to take ED medication. Many of these disadvantages also have opposing data. For instance, there’s evidence that pain recovery from circumcision is swift. Complications with surgery are rare and often no more than a temporary infection. A study released in 2016 by the American ...
What are the effects of circumcision on infants?
Various studies have found that short-term effects of circumcision include changed sleep patterns, activity level, and mother-infant interaction, more irritability, and disruptions in feeding and bonding.
What is the risk of circumcision?
Circumcision has low risk, less than 1%. Most complications are bleeding and infection. The true incidence of complications is unknown. The rate of surgical complications was reported to be from 0.2 to 38 percent. (The higher rate included complications reported during the infants’ first year.)
How many boys would have to be circumcised to prevent one UTI?
They do not account for confounding variables such as breastfeeding, urine collection method, definition of UTI, and rooming in. For a rate of 1%, 100 boys would have to be circumcised to prevent one UTI, which might be prevented by breastfeeding or rooming in.
How much erogenous tissue is removed during circumcision?
Investigators found that circumcision removes about one-half of the erogenous tissue on the penile shaft. The foreskin on the average adult male is about 12 square inches of highly erogenous tissue. Men circumcised as adults reported a significant loss of sensitivity.
Why do babies not cry after circumcision?
Circumcision is overwhelmingly painful and traumatic. Some infants do not cry because they go into traumatic shock from the overwhelming pain of the surgery.
How many complications are there with circumcision?
There are over 20 known short-term complications, including bleeding, infection, surgical injury, and in rare cases, death. This does not include complications discovered later in life, problems caused by circumcision but not attributed to circumcision, or unrecognized harm.
Why is circumcision delayed?
Since there is no urgency to do it , it must be delayed until the child is old enough to make the decision for himself. Circumcision violates a major principle of medical practice: First, do no harm. According to a journal article, it also violates all seven principles of medical ethics.
What are the disadvantages of circumcision?
Disadvantages. The disadvantages include reduced sensitivity and harmful complications of the procedure itself. An uncircumcised penis is considered by some men to be more sensitive than a circumcised one.
Why is circumcising a boy good?
The advantages of circumcising boys after they are born include its effect on hygiene and preventing diseases. The hygienic advantages are related to the lowered risk of contracting urinary tract infections (UTI) of the urethra or bladder. It can also prevent the possible infection of sexually transmitted diseases.
What are the disadvantages of a sexectomy?
A disadvantage many speak of is reduced sexual pleasure; however, recent studies have proved this to be a misconception. Furthermore, the associated complications of the procedure are bruising, post-operative infection, excessive bleeding, pain, and wound healing problems.
Can a baby boy consent to being circumcised?
Baby boys cannot consent to being circumcised as they are not old enough to understand the possible benefits and risks of the procedure, and whether or not circumcision will align with their future values.
