Circumcision

Circumcision is a unique operation as its necessity is discussed not only in medical aspect, but in religious, social, ethic and other aspects as well.

This operation implies removal of some or all of the foreskin (prepuce) from the penis. Usually newborn babies are circumcised within first 2 or 3 weeks of their life. Sometimes mature men undergo this operation for some aesthetic, religion or medical reasons.

Circumcision is most common in the Middle East, the USA and in some parts of Africa and Asia. According to WHO 30 % of men worldwide are circumcised, mostly in developing countries where this operation is common for religious or some cultural reasons.

The pros and cons

Circumcision has its advocates and opponents. So what do these two parts say?

Pluses

Better hygiene. It is much easier to keep a circumcised penis clean so circumcised men are less likely to infect their foreskins as the result of poor hygiene.

Less risk of urinary tract infection. Studies indicate that boys who have undergone circumcision are less likely to contract a urinary tract infection in the first year of life. According to statistics, about one out of 100 uncircumcised infants has UTI in the first year, whereas the rate is one in 1000 for circumcised boys.

Lower risk for penile cancer. Circumcision is said to reduce the risk for penile cancer although the disease is rare in both circumcised and uncircumcised men.

Lower risk for STDs. Some studies indicate that circumcision might offer ad additional line of defense against STDs including HIV. However, the results of studies in this area are quite conflicting and difficult to interpret.

Lower risk of cervical cancer in women. Some studies suggest that wives of circumcised men are less likely to have cervical cancer than those whose husbands are not circumcised.

However, doctors know that a significant role in the development of this disease belongs to viruses, so it is very important whether a woman is sensitive to viruses or not.

Sexual reasons. Some doctors suppose the circumcision reduces sensitivity of the head of the penis. As the result a man becomes able to perform sexual intercourse longer, so the man as well as his partner gets more satisfaction.

Minuses

Risks. Circumcision carries some potential risks as any surgical procedure. Though the risks are small they do take place, especially when it comes to mature men. Complications of newborn circumcision are quite uncommon as these occur in about 0.2-0.3 percent of cases.

Pain. The procedure can be painful. In the past it wasn't common to provide pain relief for babies being circumcised. Now most doctors provide it, but anesthesia still has not been universally used.

Parents who want their sons to be circumcised must find out whether any pain relief will be used during the procedure.

Too dry head. Head of the penis becomes too dry after operation, so an circumcised man often needs some additional lubrication for sexual intercourse.

Indications for operation

Phimosis. A condition where the male foreskin cannot be fully retracted from the head of the penis. It is important to note that the prepuce covers the head of the penis until a boy is 3 -6 years old, so phimosis is a normal condition in small boys. If prepuce does not change by the time a boy is 6-7 years old, doctors recommend circumcision. There is no reason to circumcise a boy before he is six, unless she has some urinary disorders or suffers from pain or fluids.

Balanoposthitis -an inflammation of the glans penis and the prepuce. This disease can be treated conservatively, but sometimes it does require surgical intervention.

Condyloma on the prepuce. Condyloma is also called genital wart or viral papiloma. These are often quilified as premalignant conditions, so in this situation circumcision is required.