To Circumsize or NOT to Circumsize, That is the Question...........?

Question

My youngest son was born with an arrhythmia. He only spent 4 days in the regular hospital before he was transferred to a NICU at the University Hospital where we live. The NICU pediatricians and cardiologists decided that they were not going ahead with his circumcision given that the pain might possibly throw his heart back into the bad rhythym. Fast forward 2.5 years: The cardiologist NOW sees no reason why he should be restricted from obtaining the circumcision. But now that I have gotten used to the fact that he has the foreskin, I see no need to get him cut. The Amercian Academy of Pediatrics no longer maintains that removing the foreskin is necessary for a male baby's health, and therefore I am leaning to their side of the argument. THE PROBLEM: Obviously, I don't have a penis (lol). My husband is PRO-CUT, and I just don't want to put my son through such an unneccessary procedure. I also don't want my son to feel like a WEIRDO, because his penis CLEARLY is different.

If I was your Mom, what would you want me to have done to YOUR penis??

Answer 1

There is only one answer. Stay with American custom, insist on local anesthesia, and have him circumcised. Why should he be ashamed in the locker room when 8 or 9 out of 10 don't need to shower since they have had the normal one shower a day?
In the Bible and the Book of Mormon, as the head of the house, the man only has the right to say. Your husband has spoken.

Answer 2

I'm uncut and I've never had any problems of any kind regarding my foreskin. Only like 5% of all uncircumcised men develop problems with his foreskin, and only a fraction of that percent is severe enough to warrant circumcision. It's possible he might feel like a weirdo, but I never did and most people don't seem to really care. About 80% of the world's male population is uncircumcised, and only about 60% of male infants are circumcised in the US currently. At his age and depending where you live, his penis might not be so different afterall.

I really think the procedure is unnecessary unless medically warranted or for religious reasons. I wouldn't listen to people who would convince you to get your son circumcised because it might "reduce UTIs (urinary tract infections)" or STDs and whatnot. While the UTI statistic is stated almost as fact, it comes with the caveat of only really applying to the 1st year of life. So if he hasn't had a UTI yet, he probably won't. The STD (including HIV) debate is unending, and if I were you, I'd teach and put trust in your son to practice safe sex when he's old enough rather than have an operation done just in case he's irresponsible.

The following links are all worth looking at. Some of them are clearly biased, but information doesn't change, only how it's presented. The first 4 are just some general issues with circumcision. The next 2 are interesting arguments for why HIV and circumcision aren't necessarily linked. And the last 2 are worth considering if you choose not to have him circumcised.

Lastly, know that the majority of men in the world have lived and died without problems due to his foreskin. Also know that at the end of this debate if you're still undecided, you can always wait several years and ask him if he wants it done. If he says yes, then it's yes, if no, then no.

Answer 3

I suggest you look at the statistics first. In the US, circumcisions reached a peak in 1968, when 90% of newborns were circumcised. In 2004, (the latest available statistics) this had fallen to 65%, and recent reports show this is continuing down.

As you say, there is now no medical opinion that circumcision is medically necessary. No research indicates a link between circumcision and STDs in adults. The only report that shows a difference is in men who have unprotected sex with HIV+ partners; in that case, there is a slightly higher risk of transmission. Given that this is risky behavior anyway, this is still not a good reason for circumcision.

Since your husband was circumcised at birth, he has never experienced a foreskin. This is NOT ordinary skin; it is mucous membrane, and is covered with thousands of nerve endings that add to sexual enjoyment. In addition, in a circumcised man, the head of the penis develops a layer of keratin - a tough covering that protects the penis, but also reduces sensation. This does not occur in uncircumcised men.

When proper hygiene is applied (washing daily by pulling the foreskin back, once it can be retracted comfortably) there is no difference in smell, and no difference in cleanliness.

I would urge you since your son is already 2.5, NOT to put him through this unnecessary procedure.

As an uncircumcised man, I can tell you that many of the opinions expressed in other responses are wrong; I have never had a UTI or other infection. The information about yeast infections is incorrect; and it is definitely not difficult to use a condom! In almost all other countries, circumcision is ONLY practiced for relgious or medical reasons - and countries like the UK, France, Germany or Spain have no higher infection rates or uterine problems in men.

Should you need further information, feel free to email me through my profile.

Answer 4

Hi there, I'm not Urologist but this is the fact, the indication to do the procedure basically are: Religion and Fimosis (foreskin obstruction), normally if the father hasn't, and the baby don't needed ,then, they try to keep it because the father can teach his son, how to clean it.
Now, base on the Arrhythmia fact, if Cardiologist gave you green light and father wants because religion or another reason, then talk with your husband about the pros and the cons of the procedure and then can take the best decision for your son.
Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

It will be a lot easier to keep clean and sanitary for later in life to have him circumcised now. Also it will be a lot more painful when he grows older to have the procedure done than to have it done now. If you plan on having more children and boys they will notice the difference if one is cut and one is not. The same thing is noticed when he gets in high school and in sports or gym class.

Answer 6

Leave him intact. Nearly half of the boys born nowdays are left intact; he will not be the only one in the locker room!

Any guy that has anything to say about another guy's tackle is due for a little "gay bashing" anyway. Who would even admit to looking?

Answer 7

its a lot easier to clean when its been circumsized. its easier to put a condom on during sex ( you have to pull the foreskin back first if you dont). the weird factor wouldnt be as much in school because other kids shouldnt be looking at his penis in the first place, especially other boys. I would personally say have it done, its easier to clean and poses less of an infection threat.

Answer 8

As a guy, I'm circumcised, as are both of my children. My wife and I had the discussion prior to their births.
It's hard to say what to do. Yes, the AAP no longer says that circumcision is the way to go...but do you want to risk UTI (kids aren't the best at cleaning their privates) if he forgets to wash?

It would be a hard procedure given his age...and I'm sooo sorry..that absolutely sucks!! Good luck on your decision.

Also be aware that when other kids perceive them as "different"...they can become isolated and alienated. "Oh, look at his pee pee"...Kids can be cruel.

Good luck.

Answer 9

My father in law was not cirucumcised, and ended up gettting circumcised at age 62 when he was having recurring infections. My husband and his brothers were all circumcised as is my son. My father in law said he would never recommend not getting it as an infant.

Answer 10

I know I'm not a guy, but at this stage of the game, I'd live and let live. There are lots of people out there that are not cut. Don't worry about it. Besides let him decide when he gets older.