To circumcise or not?
There has been a lot of debate on circumcision. Many parents seek advice on whether they should do it for their children. It seems that most people have differing opinions and as such, they are divided. In this Reddit thread, most people had a lot to say concerning the topic.
We interviewed Judy Nzisa, a mother to two Autistic boys. She had them circumcised at the ages of 4 and 6. She notes that circumcision is an aesthetic procedure. However, she had her sons circumcised because culturally, it was the right thing to do.
Circumcision is the surgical removal of part or all of the foreskin (prepuce) from the penis in males. The procedure is usually carried out shortly after birth but can be done at any age between infancy and adulthood.
While there are risks associated with circumcision, it is a relatively safe procedure.
Benefits of Circumcision
The benefits of circumcision for boys include:
Easier hygiene. Circumcised boys are less likely to get urinary tract infections than uncircumcised boys because their penises are easier to clean.
Decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections. Circumcised men might have a lower risk of certain sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Still, safe sexual practices remain essential.
Prevention of penile problems. Occasionally, the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis can be difficult or impossible to retract (phimosis). This can lead to inflammation of the foreskin or the head of the penis. In some cases, phimosis may require surgery later in life to make it easier to retract the foreskin after puberty has passed.
Decreased risk of penile cancer. Although cancer of the penis is rare, it’s less common in circumcised men and cervical cancer is less common in female sexual partners of circumcised men.
If you have a blood-clotting disorder, or if your baby is born with abnormalities of the penis, circumcision might not be an option.
Circumcision doesn’t affect fertility, nor is circumcision generally thought to enhance or detract from sexual pleasure for men or their partners.
Risks Involved In Circumcision
The most common problems linked to circumcision are:
– Pain
– Risk of bleeding and infection at the site of the circumcision
– Irritation of the glans (the tip of your penis)
The chance of meatitis (inflammation of the opening of the penis) is also higher than average. The chance of injury to the penis is also higher than average.
To Circumcise Or Not?
When it comes to circumcision, the decision is ultimately yours. As a parent, caregiver, or individual making this choice, you’ll want to make sure you have all the information available to you.
