This is a decision which will make a major negative impact on your sex life for the rest of your life -- it is irreversibile. You are too young to fully appreciate the advantages of retaining your foreskin -- at 14 you are not yet fully developed. This is not a decision any guy should make until puberty is completely finished. You would really bitterly regret making this decision when you are 5-10 years older. Wait. This is not a time to make permanent changes in your fast-changing body.
2007-07-05 10:34:38
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answer #1
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answered by Maple 7
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Circumcision costs vary depending on the state, who performs it, and the kind of insurance you (or your parents in your case) has. It's probably not covered by insurance if it's done for cosmetic and non-medically necessary reasons, and can cost up to several hundred dollars.
From what I've heard the healing process can be really annoying/painful. It generally takes 2-4 weeks to heal. Erections will tend to pull on the stitches and cause pain that way. Also the glans (penis head) will feel oversensitive from rubbing against everything constantly. The sensitivity should decrease and become bearable after about a month or so. Also, you must stop any kind of sexual activity (no masturbation, sex, etc) as that could rip the stitches and makes things really messy and painful.
In my opinion, if you're not having immediate physical/medical problems with your foreskin, there's no really good reason to get circumcised. Cleaning the foreskin is very easy, as I'm uncircumcised too and it's like second nature. It really only takes like 5 more seconds or so; just pull back the foreskin and wash the area underneath like any other part of the body during a shower/bath. That's about it.
And most studies show no real difference between circumcised and uncircumcised guys in getting STDs or infections. In fact, as long as you keep the area clean, there's virtually no difference at all (and this includes HIV, see link 1). In all actuality, circumcision won't prevent/reduce your chances of getting anything; condoms and safe sex will (and hygiene helps too).
The bump may be normal and may go away on its own if you maintain good hygiene in the area. It could be pearly penile papules (link 2), which are normal and nothing to be concerned about, and even circumcision won't eliminate it.
And lastly, circumcision would remove a lot of the nerve endings in the foreskin, nerve endings that would otherwise contribute to sexual sensitivity so things feel better (link 3). Also, there have been studies that seem to show that the foreskin might be beneficial in the sexual satisfaction/pleasure of not only the guy, but the girl as well (links 4, 5, 6).
So in my opinion, if nothing's really wrong right now, you probably won't benefit much from circumcision. Things probably won't feel as good afterwards if you get circumcised, there's no major change in hygiene (unless of course you're having lots of problems with your foreskin), and there's no real difference in getting STDs or infections (unless you're really unclean and plan to have lots of unprotected sex, in which case it might help a tiny bit).
So why put yourself through something where the benefits are only worth it if you plan on being unclean and have unprotected sex? As long as your foreskin works, you maintain good hygiene, and practice safe sex, it's probably better to keep the foreskin. I've no problems with mine and I don't intend on changing.
2007-07-05 11:04:04
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answer #2
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answered by trebla_5 6
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I don't know about the price, but here is some information on the consequences.
No medical institution in the world actually recommends the practice.
Let's have a look at medical associations in the developed world. The British Medical Association, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Canadian Paediatric Society, American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Australian College of Paediatrics and Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons. Every one of them recommends AGAINST performing the procedure. Their positions on the procedure can be found here: http://www.circumcision.org/position.htm
The foreskin keeps the glans soft and moist and protects it from trauma and injury. Without this protection, the glans becomes dry, calloused, and desensitized from exposure and chafing.
Specialized nerve endings in the foreskin enhance sexual pleasure.
The foreskin may have functions not yet recognized or understood.
[ http://www.nocirc.org/publish/pamphlet7.html ]
"The glans of the circumcised penis is less sensitive to fine touch than the glans of the uncircumcised penis. The transitional region from the external to the internal prepuce is the most sensitive region of the uncircumcised penis and more sensitive than the most sensitive region of the circumcised penis. Circumcision ablates the most sensitive parts of the penis." Circumcision cuts off the five most sensitive points from the penis [Touch test sensitivity experiment, British Journal of Urology 2007, copy of report: http://www.nocirc.org/touch-test/bju_6685.pdf ].
The foreskin reduces the force required by the penis to enter the vagina while circumcision contributes to vaginal dryness. [ http://www.circumcision.org/studies.htm , http://www.cirp.org/library/sex_function/ ]
The foreskin also increases the sexual enjoyment of the female partner. [ http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/ohara/ ]
It can and does result in very significant scaring.
It can and does result in sexual problems later in life.
Circumcised males have a much higher rate of sexual dysfunction and premature ejaculation. [ http://www.cirp.org/library/sex_function/ ]
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) "there is little evidence to affirm the association between circumcision status and optimal penile hygiene." [ http://www.circumcision.org/aap.htm ]
Hygiene and prevention of disease are among the commonest reasons cited for performing male circumcision. This directory contains references that examine the validity of these claims in detail: http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/
You are not less prone to STD's, cancer, giving females cancer or anything else. Read the literature library I have referenced. It includes information from National Health Administrations like the American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Oh, if you want to know how to clean yourself intact, simple pull back the foreskin it the shower and wash yourself. Let water run over yourself. You may want to not apply soap under where the foreskin lies.
"In sexually mature males, accumulated smegma should be washed away periodically. Soap should be avoided. If soap is used for washing, all residual soap should be rinsed away. Washing with soap is a cause of balanitis."
This is in the disease library I have referenced.
2007-07-05 09:42:48
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answer #3
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answered by Nidav llir 5
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As far as cleaning goes, getting circumcised would only save you the five seconds that you spend to pull the foreskin back and rub the head. =P
Also, are you sure that bump isn't normal? You mention under the head, and that's usually where the frenulum is located. You also have a frenulum under your tongue and lips.
Make sure you consider the risks, too, and negative side effects. Nothing is all benefits. In addition, many of the studies that claim that it reduces your chances of getting something are being proved false.
Anyways, insurance is usually over $1,000 or around there (it's that much because they put you to sleep, so unlike newborns you won't yell your guts out). Recovery is about two weeks and is most painful during erections and urination (but especially erections for obvious reasons).
Anyways, here are the risks and links to consider:
At an older age, to avoid the pain that newborns (although a decreasing number of, since fewer are getting it done) go through, you're put to sleep.
http://www.cirp.org/library/procedure/plastibell/
However, recovery is another thing. That takes about two weeks to heal (and can take longer, depending on your age). During that time there shouldn't be an masturbation or sex, and pain will be common with erections (and possibly urination).
Other than that, also read up on the risks of circumcision. It's something that cannot be undone if you don't end up liking it.
Circumcision = loss of sensitivity according to new study
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,285532,00.html
http://www.circumstitions.com/Sexuality.html#sorrells
Higher erectile dysfunction rates after circumcision:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14979200&dopt=Abstract%7C
When women didn't know what penis they were dealing with (circumcised or uncircumcised) 9 out of 10 preferred uncircumcised (study).
http://www.healthcentral.com/drdean/408/60750.html
Foreskin anatomy and function (keeps the glans soft and protects it, etc).
http://www.cirp.org/pages/anat/
Circumcision is extremely painful.
http://www.cirp.org/library/procedure/plastibell/
The USA is the last advanced nation doing it, but rates have fallen down from over 90% in the 1960s to as low as 21% here in California currently. From CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/06/18/circumcision.decline.ap/index.html
http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/staterates2004/
Circumcision was actually promoted in the USA at first to stop masturbation (in hopes of it being tight enough to require lubes and not have skin to slide since the foreskin is already moist)
http://english.pravda.ru/science/health/27-03-2006/77873-circumcision-0
USA = highest HIV rates in advanced nations (and highest circumcision rates). CIA statistics:
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2155rank.html
And one study already trashed the claims of the study that said that circumcision reduces HIV.
http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0000543
Worldwide circumcision rates:
http://www.circumstitions.com/Maps.html
And discussion of common circumcision benefit myths and discussion of all the risks that can develop over time and negative side effects (buried penis, meatal stenosis, etc):
http://forums.govteen.com/showpost.php?p=3069995&postcount=2
2007-07-05 11:31:30
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answer #4
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answered by Jorge 7
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circumcisition in the philippines is for free...
heals in more or less than a week...
the process never hurts...
well you can't get erections while in the healing process...
and yah right, its very easy to clean, looks good also
2007-07-05 08:53:27
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answer #5
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answered by nah_too_drunk 3
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