to circumcise or not to circumcise that is my question.....?

Question

I have done some research and wondered what everyone has been doing. My insurance will not cover it for my boy due in January, although the money is not a problem, what should I do? I have heard it saves against infection(witch makes sence) and it is cleaner, and less suseptable to catching std's. (witch makes sence, also)
1: Are there guys out there that are not circumcised and have something positive to say about it?
2: As a mom what would you do and why?

Answer 1

I have been going back and forth on this one as well. (I don't know yet whether my baby is a boy or a girl but it doesn't hurt to be prepared!) I read an article online the other day citing new research that says that circumcision does reduce the risk of STDs. In the study group (which was followed for 35 years), the rate of STDs among the circumcised boys was much lower, and the researchers predicted that the rate of STDs among the uncircumcised boys could have been cut by 48% if they had been circumcised as infants. I personally didn't want to because I don't think I can stand the idea of inflicting pain on my brand new baby, but if it can prevent bigger problems later it may be worth it. DH is firm on wanting circumcision (mostly I think because he is and he thinks its "normal"). The research is really conflicting on the subject but I think I probably will do it because if it can reduce the risk of pain and disease later it seems worth it. I know that is not a very popular view point anymore though. I know it's "unnatural" but there are a lot of things we do medically that aren't natural, but they improve our quality of life. Anyway good luck making your decision and congratulations on your baby boy!!

Answer 2

No medical organization in the world recommends routine infant circumcision. It doesn't prevent infections (UTIs in boys are rare, and the only definitive study done on the effectiveness of circumcision in preventing UTIs was done comparing full-term circumcised boys to premature intact boys, and it's common knowledge that preemies have a higher rate of UTIs overall), it doesn't prevent STDs (case in point, the US has the highest circ rate in the world and also the highest HIV rate in all developed countries), it's not cleaner (actually quite the opposite, an open wound exposed to urine and feces is quite dirty), it's not any easier to care for. In short, there's no good reason to do it, so leave it alone and let him make the decision when he gets older.

Answer 3

I have 2 boys, an 8 year old and an 18 month old, And neither one of them are circumcised, And as of yet, Neither one have had any infections, Or any problems at all with thier li'l winky's.

I don't believe in doing it, That skin was put there by a reason, Who am I to come along and cut it off? There is NO medical reason now days to do it...

As for being 'cleaner'...Not true, As long as you're educated in taking care of an uncircumcised penis, They're just as clean as a circumcised one...And once your little boy is old enough to do it himself, Teach him, and stress how important it is for him to keep it clean. :)

That's just my own personal beliefs though- You should do whatever you and the father feel most comfortable with.

Best of luck!

P.S. How would YOU feel or how would you have felt, If your parents took it upon themselves to say, Oh- circumcise you? I mean, Why not? They do it in other countries (Circumcise little girls that is)..

Answer 4

My husband is not circumcised, as are a lot of men in Canada. It has never been as popular here as it is in the US. However, I am from a Jewish background and for a long time I just assumed that I would do it. Then I thought about it.

Can I justify cutting off a part of my son's body? At birth? For no real reason? No, I could not. Particularly after I saw his little penis; even though I had decided I definitely would not, I was amazed how overcome I became at the thought of harming his little penis. An infant penis is NOT an adult penis. You think you know how small babies are, but you really don't. If you know any moms with an infant boy with an intact penis ask if you can take a look at it. The foreskin is unbelievably small (sorry guys, I know penises are all large and manly, ok). The foreskin is fused to the head of the penis in the exact same way a fingernail is fused to the finger nail bed. It is sealed; it is a self contained unit. It is just as clean as a healed circumcised penis can possible be.

You say it protects against infection, which is not entirely true. In fact some studies show that boys under three who are circumcised have a higher rate of infection and UTIs. Though either way the risks are small. (I wish I could find a few of them now, but they were news almost two years ago so they have disappeared.)

It is somewhat protective against STDs, but not nearly as protective as a condom. However a circumcision will rob your son of a certain amount of sensation as well. There are many, many, many, nerves in the foreskin. Also an intact male’s penis tip is protected and moist and looks more like the inside of your mouth. It is more sensitive (like the inside of your cheek compared to the skin on the outside).

Circumcision is much safer when preformed after puberty. Then doctors will know exactly how much foreskin your son will end up with. Circumcisions done on an infant sometimes remove too much. This can lead to erectile difficulties or at the very least the ickiness of the hair bearing skin being pulled up the shaft when it is erect (I have seen a man with this, it is, well in my opinion gross). Also sex is generally more pleasurable for the woman with an uncircumcised penis. The looser skin leads to less friction and a more lubricated feel. It is like using a good quality sexual lubricant all the time ;-) Doesn't your son deserve to choose if he wants to cut off a part of himself in order to prevent infection?

Also an adult penis is at least 10 times larger than an infant penis; so much easier to cut something bigger. There is LESS pain because the foreskin will not have to be ripped from the penis; it will have loosened on its own.

My baby is 8 months old; he has had several diaper rashes, all of which were on the bum area. One briefly spread to his penis, but that cleared up within 24 hours with no pain in that area only in the bum area, and boy did he scream when you cleaned his bum. He also had numerous belly button infections, should I cut off his belly button? I am sure a plastic surgeon could make his belly smooth, which would prevent infection. Or I can take pains to keep it clean and out from under the diaper, for when it is not under the diaper it does much better.

Some people will tell you that they know this man and that had to be circumcised as an adult for such and such reason. Generally phimosis (the foreskin can not retract). This is not the treatment anymore. Steroid and several other creams in addition to gentle stretching are highly effective.

As the mom of an uncircumcised baby boy you do need to be on your guard though, not against infection, but against those who do not know what to do with an intact penis. You must never let anyone change their diaper or bathe without explaining that the foreskin MUST NOT be retracted. The only person who should retract a foreskin is the boy himself. He will not hurt himself (hopefully) and use due care. Retracting the foreskin prematurely can lead to infections, scaring and permanent damage. Most foreskins are somewhat loose by age three and fully retractable by age 10. Some do not become easily retractable until the boy begins to masturbate regularly and some men experience their first retraction during their first time having sex, it causes mild discomfort like the first time for women. It is not considered a problem unless it is not retractable by age 18. Then changes to how the man masturbates, gentle exercises, and sometimes creams are used. This can be done earlier if it is interfering with sexual intercourse (if of course, your boy has intercourse at a younger age).

Honestly at this point I believe male circumcision should be just as illegal as female circumcision; for while some female circumcision is just brutal, some involves only the removal of the clitoral hood. Ask yourself how you would feel if someone wanted to remove your or your daughter’s clitoral hood? That would be somewhat protective against UTIs and STDs, and it is a much smaller piece of skin than the foreskin. Society has decided that the foreskin is some mistake that we would be better off without. Thinking of it in the same terms as a clitoral hood can help to see this decision without cultural bias.

Answer 5

I did NOT circumcise my son, and will not circumcise any future boys I have. There is NO reason for it...it is not true that it reduces the probability of STD's or anything else. Circumcision is unnecessary and barbaric...the ONLY reason people do it is either for the money (for doctors) or for aesthetic reasons (they think it looks better). If you have no religious reason for doing it (such as being Jewish), then you shouldn't do it.

An uncircumcised penis is not dirty, and "because it's easier to clean" should not be a reason to mutilate your son. You have to teach all children to clean themselves, so what's one more part?

My boyfriend isn't cut, and we decided not to cut our son...if HE wants to be circumcised, we'll let him make that choice for himself in the future. It is a North American thing where people think it isn't "normal" to be uncircumcised, but around the world you wouldn't find nearly as many cut penises.

Answer 6

As a mother (not of a boy yet) I would circumcise for a couple reasons. They are cleaner, and are less likely to get infected and look better fro the most part (that one is my personal reason, being a women and having seen a few in my day) circumcision is the best way to go. Of course I might get a thumbs down by a few people, but who cares this is my opinion which is what you asked for.

Answer 7

There are a lot of misconceptions about the need for circumcision. I think you should research this better instead of asking here. I would say it is not needed. Research so you can make an informed and educated decision.

Answer 8

Actually i have heard that it actually doesn't make a difference in terms of infections or stds... as far as cleanliness if teach your son to clean himself properly it shouldn't make a difference.

Personally as a mom to be- if i have a son i won't have it done to him.

Also as a wife of an uncircumsized man, i have learned through experience that a circumsized one looks bigger all the time... but doesn't grow as much.... where as an uncircumsized one could actually tripple in size with level of excitment....
(of course you don't really want to think of your baby having sex... but you asked from a guys point of view so i thought i'd let you in on my side of a guys point of veiw)

Answer 9

As a mum, I had all of my sons circumcised. The main reason for doing so was that my husband is circumcised. The second reason is cleanliness. If the penis is not kept clean, infections can become a problem and this is extremely painful. The third reason is that if the little boy has to be circumcised at a later date, due to infection or any other problem, it is excruciatingly painful.
I wouldn't wish this on anyone, especially my own child.
Good luck with your decision.

Answer 10

I would get my son circumcised. It's cleaner and it helps prevent catching STD's(including the HIV virus, which will probably reach even bigger proportions by the time our kids grow old enough to have to worry about that). If money is not an issue, I would get it done.