Why did you choose circumsicion for yourself?

Question

I will be having a son in 3 months, and am concerned about circumsicion. I believe we should not do it because then it can be our son's choice. My husband believes we should do it because it's not big deal. He doesn't have any really good reasons for wanting it done, other than he thinks it would be more traumatic later in life. So, I'm looking for advice from those who did it (or didn't do it) later in life...Why did you choose to do it? How horrible was the procedure and recovery? If you are still intact, were you teased for it? How did you handle it? What advice can I give my son if he is left intact? I've done lots of research, so please don't bore me with that, I'm looking for personal experience!

Answer 1

I'm uncircumcised and I'm very glad the choice is mine, though I would avoid choosing a circumcision for myself (or anyone else) unless absolutely necessary. I've never had any problems with being uncircumcised.

I've never been teased, probably because most guys spend more effort covering themselves up than looking at other guys. I've never had any hygiene issues, never had any infections, smells, etc. There is, unfortunately, a lot of myths and misconceptions still surrounding the foreskin.

My advice is that if you leave him intact, don't try to retract his foreskin. When he's old enough, tell him to try to pull it back himself but always gently and never forcefully; it rolls back really easily. Until then, just washing the outside of the foreskin like any other part of the body is fine. Once he's able to retract his foreskin all the way, tell him he should do so every time he takes a shower/bath and wash under it like any other part of the body. That's pretty much it. The foreskin is VERY easy to clean and keep clean (see 1st link for more info).

Also, very few uncircumcised men need to get circumcised later in life. Most that do, do so out of their own personal choice so there isn't really any trauma involved. But because circumcision is a surgical procedure, there are all the risks and complications involved with any surgery (see 2nd link for an extreme case recently).

My personal belief is this. If you leave him uncircumcised, the choice will be his. And if there is any problems with his foreskin he can be circumcised later. But, if he's circumcised and something goes wrong or he doesn't like it, he's stuck with whatever happened. Not all guys are happy being circumcised (then again, not all are happy being uncircumcised - but at least the choice is theirs).

See the 3rd link to a blog where a guy wasn't happy about being circumcised and tries to get his foreskin back. And he's only in his teens!

Answer 2

In most countries around the world they don't circumcise. The U.S.A. is one of the few backward countries that does it. Not doing it is much more common now than ever before. Your son won't be laughed at. I hate that I was circumcised. The Doctor did a poor job and cut off way too much skin. There are many ways a circumcision can go wrong. So much skin was removed that my scrotum is very tight when I am erect. Never ever retract your sons foreskin, don't allow any Doctor or nurse to do it either. I feel cheated that I was circumcised. They are finding out now that an uncircumcised penis gives the woman more pleasure during intercourse.

Most of the time guys who post on the Internet about having problems with their foreskin have a circumcision fetish. They make up stories about it all the time.

Under normal circumstances your son won't have any problems. There is no reason to cut it away. As an adult he can be circumcised with painkillers. For babies they usually do it without painkillers and it really causes lots of pain for the baby.

Answer 3

Tough decision. I was circumcised as a baby so I don't know the difference from personal experience. I'm glad that I haven't had to deal with some of the issues that come with having a foreskin, but I also feel as though I was mutilated without my consent. If I had the choice, I would have chosen to remain intact. It's quite obvious that your husband is circumcised. A lot of parents have the procedure done so junior looks just like dad. Your son will likely not "choose" to have it done later in life unless it is medically necessary. I really hope you get some responses from the demographic you're looking for...maybe try directing the question toward the young guys on this site (age 10-15 or so) and see what their experiences and opinions might be.

Answer 4

I have been working in a pediatrics unit with circumcisions.
I think it is important to consider the pros and cons before you make a decision.

Pros in favor of circumcision:
Looking like his dad, less embarrassment
Easier cleaning (not an issue unless you don't have soap)
VERY VERY slight decrease in risk for STDs


Cons against circumcision:
Painful procedure even with anesthetic
Loss of protective and lubricative foreskin (it's there for a reason)
Less enjoyable sex ( a study has been done on adults who got circumcised - most reported reduced sensation after the procedure)
Surgical mistakes may damage the penis or urethra

In my personal opinion, I think it is an unneccessary procedure that doesn't offer any major medical benefits but can cause some serious problems. I know dad wants his son to look like him, but I don't think he would be teased. Maybe it would be better to wait and let your child make up his own mind.

Answer 5

I was at birth, and I wish I wasn't. There is no good reason for butchering a boy, and a million reasons not to. If he chooses to have it done later in life, at least he has a choice, unlike many of us. I put it in the same category as rape-a sexually detrimental act that the victim has no say in and cannot reverse. A boy in my class in school that I know was teased for being intact simply responded that he still had all of his penis-that ended the teasing fast.

Answer 6

Your husband has no real reason to do it, so DON'T.
My penis is still "intact" and I was NEVER teased at school or in locker rooms, and I've also never had any infections or medical problems with it.
Leave your son's body naturally intact! Then whens he an adult if he's desperate to be circumsized then he can choose to be so. Circumsizion is painful and irreversible whether its done at age 1 or 21.
Good luck, congrats.

Answer 7

My husband is not circumsized and my son is not circumsized. I just didn't think it needed to be done. My husband will teach him how to take care of it and how to clean it. When he is old enough to understand (he is only 17 months old)
I don't see a need in having to be circumsized.
Having had sex with a man who is circumsized and then later in life being with my husband, I would have to say that being with my husband is a lot better. :)
Not only that but what they say about men who are not circumsized getting more infections is not true at all, my husband and I have been together for 7 years and never once has he ever got any kind of infection.
Hope I was able to help.

Answer 8

I'm intact, born and raised in the US of A and I've never been teased for my status before. I'm glad to be intact and I'm glad my mother and father left me whole. I've thanked my mother and she said she's glad because she saw absolutely no reason to put me through it.

I hope you make the same choice for your son.

Answer 9

Some parents have their kids circumcised at birth over when they're between the ages of 10 to 18. I had mine at 15 so I got to learn how to treat it myself, first-hand.

If you decide to have it done during your son's puberty, this is what I can share:

The procedure itself is pretty quick. Recovery is about 2 to 3 weeks, depending on one's ability to heal. I'm not sure how Caucasian boys did it in their time but I treated mine the herbal way (boiling tropical fruit leaves for the cleansing part and changing of bandages from the first-aid kit).

You can advice your son to take things easy after a cut. Wear loose Jersies or boxer shorts (for an airy feel). Avoid bumping onto waist-high furnitures because such will result to a sounding howl from your son (or a shriek; happened to me on a table's corner). Also avoid seeing girls (in my culture, GIRLS meant longer healing period due to a lot of factors including being teased in lieu to the circumcision; being asked to play when it's not safe to run around; or simply disturbed rests) for a few days should be in order. Looking back, I can just laugh at how things were then.

Avoiding the cut will be you and your son's mutual agreement. Not all guys preferred going through such an experience (but it may all be well-worth it after all that jazz). Anyway, it's just a Rite of Passage for some of us, so lots of luck!

Answer 10

I was cut as a child (I think I was 3 or 4). I don't care that I was cut tbh, the only thing that gets me is the people who say it ruins pleasure, and during my early teens that worried me, but anyway I get a lot of pleasure if you know what I mean :D.

If I was you I wouldn't do it as it should be your sons choice, however as a baby the nerves down there aren't developed - and as an adult they are so cutting them off is... well you work it out.