Circumcision (male). Pros & Cons, please?

Answer 1

Foreskin advantage.
20 good reasons against the circumcision!

1. Full penis length and circumference. The "prepuce" (foreskin) constitutes 50% or more of the skin system of the penis. If unfolded and spread flat, the average adult foreskin measures 60-90 square centimeters (10-14 square inches), or about the size of an index card. The foreskin creates a visible longer penis, especially when the foreskin extends beyond the head of the penis. Also, the double-layered tissue of the foreskin engorges with blood during erection and creates a visibly and sensually thicker shaft and glans.When the engorged foreskin retracts behind the coronal ridge of the glans, it often creates a wider and more pronounced "ridge" that many partners find especially stimulating during penetrative intercourse. The circumcised penis appears truncated and thinner than a full-sized intact penis.

2. Protection. The sleeve of tissue known as the foreskin normally covers the glans and protects it from abrasion, drying, callusing (keratinization), and environmental contaminants. The glans is intended by nature to be a protected internal organ, like the female clitoris. The effect of an exposed glans and resulting keratinization on human sexual response has never been studied. Increasing reports by circumcised men indicate that keratinization causes a loss of sexual sensation, pleasure and fulfillment.

3. Ridged bands. The inner foreskin contains bands of densely innervated, sexually responsive tissue. They constitute a primary erogenous zone of the human penis and are important for realizing the fullness and intensity of sexual response.

4. Gliding action. The foreskin is the only moving part of the penis. During any sexual activity, the foreskin and glans work in unison; their mutual interaction creates a complete sexual response. In heterosexual intercourse, the non-abrasive gliding of the penis in and out of itself within the vagina facilitates smooth and pleasurable intercourse for both partners. Without this gliding action, the corona of the circumcised penis can function as a one-way valve, dragging vaginal lubricants out into the drying air and making artificial lubricants essential for non-painful intercourse.

5. Specialized sensory tissue. In addition to the "ridged bands" mentioned above, thousands of coiled fine-touch receptors (Meissner’s corpuscles) constitute the most important sensory component of the penis. The foreskin contains branches of the dorsal nerve and between 10,000 and 20,000 specialized erotogenic nerve endings of several types, which are capable of sensing slight motion and stretch, subtle changes in temperature, and fine gradations in texture.

6. The frenulum. This is a highly nerve-laden web of tissue that tethers the inner foreskin to the underside of the glans. It is similar to the frenula found under the tongue, the upper lip and the clitoral hood (female foreskin). For many intact men, the penile frenulum is a male "G-spot" that is highly pleasurable when repeatedly stretched and relaxed during sexual activity. Depending on the surgical method used, the frenulum is partially to completely destroyed by circumcision.

7. Proper blood flow. The foreskin contains several feet of blood vessels, including the frenular artery and branches of the dorsal artery. The loss of this rich vascularization interrupts normal blood flow to the shaft and glans of the penis, damaging the natural function of the penis and altering its development.

8. Immunological defense. The soft mucosa of the inner foreskin produces plasma cells, which secrete immunoglobulin antibodies, and antibacterial and antiviral proteins, such as the pathogen-killing enzyme called lysozyme. All of the human mucosa (the linings of the mouth, eyelids, vagina, foreskin and an.us) are the body's first line of defense against disease. This benefit of the foreskin could be one possible explanation why intact men are at lower risk of chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases.

9. Langerhans cells. These specialized epithelial cells are a component of the immune system and may play a role in protecting the penis from sexually transmitted infections such as HIV (AIDS).

10. Proper lymph flow. The foreskin contains lymphatic vessels, which are necessary for proper lymph flow and immunological functioning.

11. Estrogen receptors. The foreskin contains estrogen receptors, whose purpose is not yet fully understood and needs further study.

12. Apocrine glands. These glands produce pheromones, nature’s invisible yet compelling signals to potential sexual partners. The effect of their absence on human sexual behavior has never been studied.

13. Sebaceous glands. The oils produced by these glands lubricate and moisturize the foreskin and glans, so that the two structures function together smoothly.

14. Dartos fascia. This is a smooth muscle sheath that underlies the scrotum, the entire penis and the tip of the foreskin. It is necessary for proper temperature regulation of the genitals (causing these structures to elongate in the heat and shrink in the cold). Approximately half of the Dartos fascia is destroyed by circumcision.

15. Natural texture and coloration of the glans. In the intact penis, the glans normally appears moist, shiney, and pinkish-red to dark purple. These visual cues often attract and excite a sexual partner. The glans of a circumcised penis is dry, rough and often light pink to bluish-gray in color.

16. Zero risk of serious infection or surgical injury. Unfortunate boys who suffer botched circumcisions lose part or all of their penis from surgical mishap or subsequent infection. They are often "sexually reassigned" by castration and "transgender surgery." They are relegated to a life of hormone therapy and are compelled to live their lives as pseudo-females, the success of which has never been fully assessed.

17. Zero risk of death from surgery. Every year boy die from the complications of circumcision, a fact that the American circumcision industry ignores, obscures, or downplays.

18. Zero risk of delayed or diminished maternal bonding. Circumcision, even if anesthesia is used, causes unavoidable operative trauma and post-operative pain that has been shown to disrupt bonding with the mother, which in turn interferes with the first developmental task of every human, that of trust (trust in human contact, in personal safety, etc).

19. Electromagnetic "cross-communication." Anecdotal reports suggest that, without the mucosa of its foreskin, the penis lacks the capacity for the subtle electromagentic energy transfer that occurs during contact between two mucous membranes (the vaginal walls and the exposed inner lining of the foreskin). Such contact contributes to the full experience of sexual pleasure. These reports deserve further scientific study.

20. The foreskin is necessary for optimal health and well-being of the male, as well as contributing to fulfillment in his sexual relationships.

On the contrary, nowadays there is no valid reason to do it, aside from some religion (fondamentalism?) and some rare disease (paraphimosis, for example).
OKAY??

Answer 2

Well the answer to the second question "Is it really necessary" is obviously no. Otherwise most people would do it and healthcare would cover it. Circumcision is mainly done for religious reasons (Jews & Muslims) and otherwise it's only done out of medical necessity (rare foreskin related problems) or for cosmetic reasons. It's only popular in the United States mostly for cultural reasons (its considered more aesthetic due to the commonality of the practice there and there are some stigmas, mostly due to ignorance about not being circumcised). Pros to circumcision: 1. Reduces the chances of urinary tract infection in first few years of life. 2. Lowers risk of acquiring HIV through unprotected sex. 3. Circumcised penis is easier to keep clean because smegma never builds up underneath the foreskin. 4. Depending on location, being circumcised may allow individual to fit in more with the majority. Cons to circumcision: 1. Reduces sensitivity of penis and potentially reduces sexual pleasure in male. 2. Lack of foreskin makes masturbation more difficult (as lube is usually required in circumcised males). 3. When done in infancy it takes the "choice" away from the male which can be considered unethical. 4. Circumcision is a painful operation that takes several weeks to recover from. 5. It's a permanent procedure that cannot be undone if the patient isn't happy with the results. 6. Leaves a scar that person might consider to be less aesthetic in appearance. 7. Depending on location, being intact may allow individual to fit in more with the majority.

Answer 3

Generally, there are no significant medical pros to male circumcision. The vast majority of male circumcisions aren't carried out for medical reasons but rather for cultural reasons (sometimes under the guise of medical benefits) or for religious reasons (see 1st link). With that in mind, about 80% of the world's male population is uncircumcised and of this population of uncircumcised men, only about 5% develop any real problems with their foreskins.

These problems can be phimosis, paraphimosis, balanitis (which isn't necessarily rectified by circumcision, but can be reduced), recurrent infections, etc. Most of these problems either resolve themselves or only require oral or topical medication. A fraction of this may be severe enough to warrant circumcision. Granted, the majority of these problems are very easily preventable (see 2nd link).

There has been constant debate as to whether circumcision lowers STD and HIV rates, but most studies point to no significant difference. Thus circumcision shouldn't be promoted to reduce STD or HIV levels. Currently, the HIV debate is seriously heating up, with studies supporting both sides. Regardless, it appears that good personal hygiene of the foreskin not only decreases conditions such as phimosis and balanitis, but effectively makes HIV rates the same between uncircumcised and circumcised men (see 3rd and 4th links).

In addition, circumcision does carry its own risks and complications (albiet small, between 1-5% usually). Yet these complications can be rather severe depending on the circumcision is performed and who performs it (see 5th link).

Seeing as circumcision doesn't have any concrete benefits, nor any truly significant disadvantages if done correctly, there really is no reason for it to be done. If there's nothing wrong with the foreskin, why bother to operate on it, especially if the operation might cause complications when otherwise nothing bad would've happened? Really, it should be treated as any other surgery, only done when necessary.

Answer 4

Circumcision is a surgical procedure. While the risks of circumcision-related complications are very low,[60] the complications resulting from a poorly carried out circumcision, post-operative bleeding, or infection can be catastrophic.[61] Bleeding and infection are the most common complications of the procedure, according to the AMA, although in the majority of cases, bleeding is minor and hemostasis can be achieved by pressure application.[7] Kaplan identified longer term complications, including urinary fistulas, chordee, cysts, lymphedema, ulceration of the glans, necrosis of all or part of the penis, hypospadias, epispadias, impotence and removal of too much tissue, sometimes causing secondary phimosis. He stated “Virtually all of these complications are preventable with only a modicum of care. Unfortunately, most such complications occur at the hands of inexperienced operators who are neither urologists nor surgeons.”[62] Infant circumcision may cause problems such as skin bridges, when the cut skin does not heal neatly but attaches to the glans penis instead. This does not commonly require surgical correction; rather, a brief, simple, office procedure may be performed.[63] Meatal stenosis may be a common longer-term complication from circumcision. Recent publications give a frequency of occurrence between 0.9% in Iran[64] and 9% to 10% in the U.S.[65] Loss of the penis itself has been documented. The RACP states that the penis is lost in 1 in 1,000,000 circumcisions.[66]

The American Medical Association quotes a complication rate of 0.2%–0.6%,[7] based on the studies of Gee[67] and Harkavy.[68] These same studies are quoted by the American Academy of Pediatrics.[45] The American Academy of Family Physicians quotes a range of anywhere between 0.1% and 35%.[69] The Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Canadian Paediatric Society bring the AMA results together with other studies with results ranging anywhere between 0.06% to 55%, and bring Williams & Kapila[70] citing that a 2%–10% seems reasonable.[46][66]

Fatal complications have been reported. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that death is rare, and cites an estimated death rate with circumcisions of infants of 1 in 500,000.[69] Gairdner's 1949 study reported that during the 1940's an average of 16 children per year, out of an estimated 90,000, died following circumcision in the UK. He found that most deaths had occurred suddenly under anaesthesia and could not be explained further, but hemorrhage and infection had also proven fatal. Deaths attributed to phimosis and circumcision were grouped together, but Gairdner guessed that such deaths were more likely due to the circumcision operation. [71]

Metzitzah b'peh without a sterile glass tube or pipette has been implicated in the transfer of HSV from mohel to child.[72] Eight Israeli infants, one of which suffered brain damage [4]and three in New York City, one of which died, contracted herpes after being given metzizah b'peh by mohels with the HSV virus.[22] “There exists no reasonable doubt that ‘metzitzah b'peh’ can and has caused neonatal herpes infection.…The Health Department recommends that infants being circumcised not undergo metzitzah b'peh” wrote Dr. Thomas Frieden, the Health Commissioner of New York City.[73] However, the mohel's attorney argued that no conclusive medical evidence [5] linking the mohel performing the procedure with the diesease was supplied by the New York City department of health,[74] and the city's case against the mohel was eventually dropped in favor of a rabbinical court ruling.[75] In May 2006, the Department of Health for New York State, issued a protocol for the performance of metzitzah b'peh.[76] Dr. Antonia C. Novello, Commissioner of Health for New York State, together with a board of rabbis and doctors, worked, she said, to “allow the practice of metzizah b'peh to continue while still meeting the Department of Health's responsibility to protect the public health.”[

Answer 5

I had 4 boys and none of them were circumcised. Their dad wasn't either. I look at it as totally unnecessary. The boys were all taught at a young age how to pull back the foreskin and clean properly. I think that more people should investigate the surgery before consenting to having their baby boys butchered for no good reason.

Answer 6

circumcision reduces the risk of contracting HIV by about a half, given there is less skin to absorb or hide the virus. It is easier to clean and you can have sex for longer given that it is less sensitive. Cons- Penis is less sensitive. Dont know about the risks of getting it done, i was a baby when i got mine chopped. Presume reputable doctor can complete the procedure with a very low risk

Answer 7

CIRCUMCISION IS VERY BENEFICIAL, its cleaner and several research bodies have concluded that circumcised men have less risk of contracting STD's such as AIDS-HIV or herpes.

Uncircumcised penises are difficult to keep clean, and more prone to infections and penile cancer, studies have shown.
A circumcised penis is naturally clean and virtually free from urinary infection. You will not have to worry again with careful washing of your penis.

Is it NOT true that the AAP (American Academy of Paediatrics) does not recommend circumcision. They simply say they leave the decision to parents. But recently, and specially after the New Zealand study they have been the AAP has been discussing if it may be needed to change their policy and recommend circumcision to all newborns as they used to do, so in the future we may see that the AAP advocates again circumcision.
Have a look at: http://www.baby-health.net/articles/381.html

About STD's:

As I said, several studies carried out by prestigious research bodies have concluded that uncircumcised penises are more prone to infections and contraction of STD's, including AIDS-HIV. Circumcised men have been proved to be up to seven times less likely to be infected than those who are uncircumcised. Have a look at this site: http://icuxbridge.icnetwork.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=14095142&method=full&siteid=53340&headline=-circumcision-protects-against-aids--name_page.html

As for women, studies also show that circumcision also protects female partners from AIDS-HIV and other STD's. Browse this article: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2006/02_08_06.html

About sensitivity of a circumcised penis:

No medical or physiological study has proved that circumcision reduces sensitivity, opposed common belief. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) confirms this on their web site; have a look at: http://www.aap.org/pubed/zzzjzmemh4c.htm

Circumcision is an easy and nowadays painless procedure, which has many benefits, and virtually no risks.
Circumcision is NOT an amputation. Circumcision is NOT comparable at all to female circumcision, which is something completely different.

Circumcision rates are INCREASING nowadays, both in the United States and overseas. Many African and South American countries with little circumcision tradition are starting to promote the procedure to help to reduce the AIDS-HIV infection rates.

Answer 8

Circumcision protects you aginst many diseases. It is scientifically proved.