Circumcisions: Are They Necessary For Good Health?

Circumcision is a process in which the foreskin on the penis is removed, a practice that has increased and decreased in popularity for thousands of years. In certain parts of the world, it is still a popular practice, such as in the Middle East and the United States, whereas in South America and Europe it has never been something men have done. In the Book of Genesis in the Jewish Torah, and the Christian Old Testament, we are told of God’s deal with Jewish patriarch Abraham – if Abraham his sons, his slaves and all descendants would practice circumcision, God would bless them with a kingdom on Earth. But this practice actually predated the even stated in religious scripts, and ancient hieroglyphs show that Egyptian men practiced circumcision. In fact, studies show that there are many cultures who have practiced this tradition; Mayans, Aztecs, Samoans and Ethiopians, to name but a few. For religious people, the reasons are clear. But why do people who are neither Jewish, Muslim or Christian continue to circumcise their offspring? It’s believed that as many as 75 per cent of non-Jewish, non-Muslim men in America were circumcised in 2007. For many people, it’s considered cleaner and healthier, but is this really the case? And shouldn’t a child be allowed to grow up with all of their parts in tact to enable them to make their own decision about such matters, without having the choice made for them?

There are valid reasons, medically, for circumcision; studies have shown that it can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by as much as 60 per cent. But if it’s so effective in reducing the risk of this health epidemic, why is circumcision more popular? Opponents of the practice rightly point out that basic safe sex practices will also reduce these risks, without young boys having to go through such a painful procedure. But while it isn’t a cure-all practice, it could work as part of a larger plan. It’s also been shown to reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and HPV. However, while there are arguments for the reduced rate of penile cancer with circumcision, this argument doesn’t take into account the rarity of penile cancer – there were just 1250 cases in the United States in 2008. The cleanliness factor is a common argument for circumcision, with the fact that it is easier to keep a penis clean and this encourages good hygienic practice.  In men who are not circumcised, keeping the foreskin clean is vital in order to prevent bacteria from growing.

 

Anti-circumcision activists claim that this practice causes unnecessary pain to infants, and it’s no secret that the process is painful. Modern pain relief and improved surgical procedures have reduced the pain to a minimum however. Circumcised men don’t have to worry about the painful maladies that can sometimes affect uncircumcised men, such as phimosis (which occurs when the foreskin won’t retract) or paraphimosis (where the foreskin, once retracted, won’t recover the tip of the penis). These conditions can often require circumcision in adult life, to help remove the related swelling and accompanying pain. There are a number of competing claims regarding sexuality as well, with some people claiming that sex is better with an uncircumcised penis, and vice versa. It should be left, however, up to each parent to decide what is best for their sons, and to weigh up the pros and cons on this issue. For boys who have been circumcised,  they will unlikely know or care either way, and the same with uncircumcised boys.

Categories: circumcision, foreskin, jewish, Pain, penile cancer, people, practice, sexuality, united states

Circumcisions: Are They Necessary For Good Health?

Circumcision is a process in which the foreskin on the penis is removed, a practice that has increased and decreased in popularity for thousands of years. In certain parts of the world, it is still a popular practice, such as in the Middle East and the United States, whereas in South America and Europe it has never been something men have done. In the Book of Genesis in the Jewish Torah, and the Christian Old Testament, we are told of God’s deal with Jewish patriarch Abraham – if Abraham his sons, his slaves and all descendants would practice circumcision, God would bless them with a kingdom on Earth. But this practice actually predated the even stated in religious scripts, and ancient hieroglyphs show that Egyptian men practiced circumcision. In fact, studies show that there are many cultures who have practiced this tradition; Mayans, Aztecs, Samoans and Ethiopians, to name but a few. For religious people, the reasons are clear. But why do people who are neither Jewish, Muslim or Christian continue to circumcise their offspring? It’s believed that as many as 75 per cent of non-Jewish, non-Muslim men in America were circumcised in 2007. For many people, it’s considered cleaner and healthier, but is this really the case? And shouldn’t a child be allowed to grow up with all of their parts in tact to enable them to make their own decision about such matters, without having the choice made for them?

There are valid reasons, medically, for circumcision; studies have shown that it can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by as much as 60 per cent. But if it’s so effective in reducing the risk of this health epidemic, why is circumcision more popular? Opponents of the practice rightly point out that basic safe sex practices will also reduce these risks, without young boys having to go through such a painful procedure. But while it isn’t a cure-all practice, it could work as part of a larger plan. It’s also been shown to reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and HPV. However, while there are arguments for the reduced rate of penile cancer with circumcision, this argument doesn’t take into account the rarity of penile cancer – there were just 1250 cases in the United States in 2008. The cleanliness factor is a common argument for circumcision, with the fact that it is easier to keep a penis clean and this encourages good hygienic practice.  In men who are not circumcised, keeping the foreskin clean is vital in order to prevent bacteria from growing.

 

Anti-circumcision activists claim that this practice causes unnecessary pain to infants, and it’s no secret that the process is painful. Modern pain relief and improved surgical procedures have reduced the pain to a minimum however. Circumcised men don’t have to worry about the painful maladies that can sometimes affect uncircumcised men, such as phimosis (which occurs when the foreskin won’t retract) or paraphimosis (where the foreskin, once retracted, won’t recover the tip of the penis). These conditions can often require circumcision in adult life, to help remove the related swelling and accompanying pain. There are a number of competing claims regarding sexuality as well, with some people claiming that sex is better with an uncircumcised penis, and vice versa. It should be left, however, up to each parent to decide what is best for their sons, and to weigh up the pros and cons on this issue. For boys who have been circumcised,  they will unlikely know or care either way, and the same with uncircumcised boys.

Categories: circumcision, foreskin, jewish, Pain, penile cancer, people, practice, sexuality, united states

Should You Consider Having Your Son Circumcised?

It’s a common occurrence but one which, obviously, you don’t give much thought to until you become a parent: would you have your son circumcised? Circumcision, or the surgical removal of the foreskin that covers the head of the penis, has been known to protect men’s sexual health against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but the procedure itself also poses certain risks. Although circumcision is relatively simple as surgical procedures go, it’s not one you want to see go badly if you or your son are the patient.

 

Some people make this decision based on a strong religious or cultural belief. For most (but not all) Jews and Muslims, the decision to have their male children circumcised is less out of concern for their sexual wellbeing, and more for religious reasons. There are tribes in Africa that uniformly circumcise, while there are others that uniformly do not. Three out of five children born in the United States in the last 30 years were circumcised, but this wasn’t due to medical recommendations. According to the American Association of Paediatrics, parents should make an informed decision for themselves, and the Association won’t make a recommendation either way. So, if you’re not Jewish or Muslim, how do you make this decision for your son?

 

The foreskin provides protection for the tip of your son’s penis, also known as the glans. Without the foreskin, the glans is exposed to from undergarments, cold winter weather and dry air, so it’s good to have a protection policy in place. The foreskin is also home to many nerve bundles and blood cells, providing additional stimulation during sexual activities, as well as a lubricating function to assist in sexual intercourse. Plus, as the foreskin keeps the glans moist and soft, it too is more sensitive to touch. With all that in mind, you might be wondering who’d be crazy enough to get their son circumcised, but the foreskin can also cause problems.

 

Since the foreskin works to keep the glans lubricated, it’s very easy for bacteria to build-up in this area unless it is kept extremely clean. If your son does not maintain regular hygiene, a white cheesy discharge called smegma may accumulate beneath his foreskin, and this may lead on to infections and urinary tract infections. Plus, if your son’s foreskin is too tight and doesn’t properly retract from the glans, it causes a condition called phimosis. If it slides down from the glans but won’t return properly, this is a condition that causes swelling, also known as paraphimosis.

 

Then you have Balanposthitis, a swelling of the mucous surfaces of the foreskin that requires circumcision if it becomes a frequent problem. Circumcision may also be required to prevent the pain and worsening phimosis of balanitis xerotica obliterans, a skin disease that affects the foreskin, glans and sometimes the urethra. While circumcisions aren’t usually medically necessary, many parents do make this decision based on medical and hygienic grounds. The good news is that most circumcisions are performed with no serious problems or complications, albeit with a slight chance that your son may experience pain, bleeding, infection or irritation. However, the most likely scenario is discomfort during the healing process. If all goes as planned, your child will feel better (although probably irritable) in three to four days, while it might take a week or so for the appearance of the area. You can take your baby can be taken home the same day as the procedure, just make sure you keep his newly circumcised penis very clean and follow your doctor’s instructions.

Categories: circumcised, circumcision, foreskin, glans, medical reasons, nbsp, religious beliefs, sexual, son circumcised

Does Circumcision Make Sex Better or Worse?

Circumcision has a big impact on men’s sexual health and wellness. While some research suggests that the practice of surgically removing the foreskin reduces your risk of STDs, HIV and other infections, circumcision has been suggested to negatively affect your sexual wellbeing; reducing the pleasure you feel during sex. Let’s take a look at some of the questions surrounding circumcision.

 

1. How does circumcision affect the sensitivity of your penis?

According to Men’s Health Physician and Medical Sex Therapist Dr Vijaysarathi Ramanathan, “Circumcision in infants and youngsters (who’ve never experienced having a foreskin) shouldn’t be much of a problem because they’ve programmed their mind and penis to be sensitive without the foreskin. However, if a person has experience having a foreskin and has to lose it later in life, they may feel it’s different and they are not getting the same pleasure as before.” Dr Ramanathan adds that, for the same reason, there’s nothing to suggest that circumcision makes oral sex any different.

 

2. Does circumcision prevent or cause STIs?

‘There is some protection against infections but there is still a big debate on whether it adds more benefit than wearing a condom,’ Dr Ramanathan explains. However, he warns that hygiene is a key concern for men who are not circumcised. Dr Ramanathan advises, ‘if they can retract and clean with water, then it shouldn’t make any difference. Remember, cleaning with water is more than adequate and DO NOT use soap as it alters the pH and can cause some fungal infections.’

 

3. Is there ever a medical reason to get a circumcision?

Dr Ramanthan says that circumcision is only warranted if your foreskin is infected and you’re unable to pass urine, but a routine medical procedure it doesn’t have much value. He adds, ‘The history of circumcision goes long back and one of the key reasons to do circumcision was to discourage boys from masturbating. This was a time when medical professionals were convinced that masturbation is the cause for infections like syphilis and that circumcision is the cure. [This] is now seen as unethical and it breeches the sexual rights of that person. Each individual must be able to make an informed decision whether or not they want to circumcise.’

Categories: circumcision, dr ramanathan, foreskin, Infections, Medical, pleasure, ramanathan, STI