Expectant parents face some tough decisions when it comes to the health of their new baby. This is especially true if they are having a son. One of the most debated topics circling newborn boys is whether or not to circumcise them.

What Is Circumcision?

Circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin that covers the head of the penis. This tissue is sometimes referred to as the foreskin.

Foreskin is responsible for the protection of the gland against abrasion as well as keeping it moist to prevent injury. The nerve endings of the foreskin are related to sensory aspects of sexual pleasure.

Choosing To Circumcise

For an operation that is not very complex in nature, the decision to do it can be especially complicated. Faced with trying to balance religious and cultural beliefs with scientific fact, many parents find it hard to weigh the options.

Because circumcision is irreversible, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of the procedure.

Circumcision: Health Related Issues

Circumcision is essentially a personal choice, but it is one that you are making for someone too small to think on his own.

Some of these risks can include:

• Infection
• Surgical mistakes
• Bleeding excessively
• Scarring
• Bridges or tags in the skin
• Penis curving
• Erections that are painful or tight
• Problems with ejaculation or impotency

Despite the numerous risks involved, about 60% of parents in the United States choose to have their newborn boys circumcised.

With circumcision, you reduce the risk of infection from things such as:

• xBalanoposthitis: an inflammation of the head of the penis.
• Paraphimosis: a condition in which the foreskin is trapped behind the head of the penis and can’t be pulled back. Can potentially lead to gangrene.
• Phimosis: a condition in which foreskin does not fully retract from the head of the penis.

You can also dramatically reduce the risk of contracting and passing on sexually transmitted diseases. Circumcision also reduces the risk of penile cancer by 90%, as this type of cancer typically affects those with foreskin.

Uncircumcised: Health Related Issues

In an uncircumcised boy there is a risk of health related problems that parents should be aware of. Before you decide that you want to leave your newborn uncircumcised, you should be aware of the following health issues that may occur:

• Infection
• Difficulty keeping the area clean (hygiene)
• Frequent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
• Increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases
• May promote cervical cancer in sexual partners
• Having circumcision performed later on in life can be especially painful or traumatic.

Still, remaining uncircumcised can have positive aspects. These include the prevention of surgical mistakes, eradicating infections such as meatitis (an inflammation of the opening of the penis), and prevention of erection or ejaculation problems later in life.

Society: A Different Point of View

The number of people who are choosing to forego circumcision is rising. Every year the rate of uncircumcised infants continues to grow, as more parents feel the child should be allowed to make the decision.

Others are basing their choice on religious beliefs or what their culture feels is most appropriate.

Adult Circumcision

As an adult, a male may choose to learn more about circumcision. However, it is also important to understand that the older you are when you have the procedure, the more painful it becomes.

Reasons why some men choose circumcision late in life:

• Cleanliness
• Hygienic reasons
• They think it looks "more natural."
• Lowers the risk of STD transmission

Reasons why some men opt out of circumcision:

• Pain of operation
• It has the potential to irritate the penis head
• Decreased sexual sensations
• Fear of surgical errors
• Must abstain from erections and sex for up to six weeks

Your Personal Choice

Circumcision is a personal choice that should not be taken lightly. If you’ve done all the research but still have questions, you might inquire with your doctor about viewing the procedure in person. This will go a long way in helping to make the best possible choice.