Aa
to circumsize or not?
Is it better to circumsize baby boys or not? Does it matter? My H is not (fixed?) but thinks we should cuz it is easier to keep clean as little boys go. Is it hard to take care of?, extremely painfiul?? I don't want to unecessarily hurt him but I don't want him to be made fun of either. I just wanted to know your thoughts on it.
I think it is a very personal choice and completely up to you. I have known men who were not circumsized and others that were. Neither seemed to have much of a difference. Men who are uncircumsized must have much better hygeine than men who do. This is going to sound gross, but it is a good analogy. A fat women with folds must lift up the skin and wash and dry underneath or risk an infection or rash. Same goes for uncircumsized men. They have a fold on their penis that must be cared for differently than circumsized. As long as you make sure your son takes proper care of himself it should be just fine.
I haven't even thought twice about this, but DH has and he very much wants his son to be circumsized. More than likely because he is. Since he has the equipment to better judge, I left the decision to him. Personally, If it was up to me, I may not have made this decision, but only because the thought of cutting any part of down there seems like mutilation. My persepective is that if someone wanted to cut anything from around or near my who-ha, there would be one heck of a fight... :)
I haven't even thought twice about this, but DH has and he very much wants his son to be circumsized. More than likely because he is. Since he has the equipment to better judge, I left the decision to him. Personally, If it was up to me, I may not have made this decision, but only because the thought of cutting any part of down there seems like mutilation. My persepective is that if someone wanted to cut anything from around or near my who-ha, there would be one heck of a fight... :)
I am pro-circumcision for medical benefits as well as my religious beliefs.. I am Jewish and I am having my son circumcized. It is a very personal decision. Good luck in your decision!
(I’M NEITHER A PRO-CIRCUMCISION NOR AN ANTI-CIRCUMCISION SUPPORTER)
I know you're going through a tuff decision right now. Remember though, it's your decision and your child will be stuck with whatever choice you make. I’m not suggesting circumcision nor keeping him uncircumcised in these websites, but to provide you with some help and support on your decision. Please don’t use search engines for gathering information because they’re riddled with floods of faulty information, false information, illegal copyright material, and manipulative outlooks (Pro or Anti). Many websites look very professional and legit, but they’re not. I’m an expert regarding circumcision. Activists are one sided and are going to try to persuade you any way they can. I’ve seen these websites take anonymous photographs (such as porn)—stamp it with an illustration when they’ve never seen that person nor know what truly caused whatever it may’ve been. I’ll stop though; you can read further into this on these websites. I’m known as Toshiro on them as well. I Don't endorse other people’s opinions or posts and cannot control what other people say on these or other websites. Good luck with your decision.
Websites (PLEASE FULLY READ)
1# http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-ppnoforeskin&msg=2131.18&ctx=0
2# http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-ppnoforeskin&msg=2168.1&ctx=0
3# http://www.mdjunction.com/circumcision
If you or anyone else has anymore questions regarding circumcision—then please send me a PM. I won’t provide an opinion unless otherwise stated.
I know you're going through a tuff decision right now. Remember though, it's your decision and your child will be stuck with whatever choice you make. I’m not suggesting circumcision nor keeping him uncircumcised in these websites, but to provide you with some help and support on your decision. Please don’t use search engines for gathering information because they’re riddled with floods of faulty information, false information, illegal copyright material, and manipulative outlooks (Pro or Anti). Many websites look very professional and legit, but they’re not. I’m an expert regarding circumcision. Activists are one sided and are going to try to persuade you any way they can. I’ve seen these websites take anonymous photographs (such as porn)—stamp it with an illustration when they’ve never seen that person nor know what truly caused whatever it may’ve been. I’ll stop though; you can read further into this on these websites. I’m known as Toshiro on them as well. I Don't endorse other people’s opinions or posts and cannot control what other people say on these or other websites. Good luck with your decision.
Websites (PLEASE FULLY READ)
1# http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-ppnoforeskin&msg=2131.18&ctx=0
2# http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-ppnoforeskin&msg=2168.1&ctx=0
3# http://www.mdjunction.com/circumcision
If you or anyone else has anymore questions regarding circumcision—then please send me a PM. I won’t provide an opinion unless otherwise stated.
Its really a personal decision. We are having girl so this is a moot point for us.
FYI: most cirumcisions are not covered by insurance companies these days as they are deemed medically unnecessary. i would check with your insurance carrier about there coverage of circumcisions.
Below is from the American Academy of Pediactrics http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Circumcision.htm
Should we have our son circumcised?
At birth, boys have skin that covers the end of the penis, called the foreskin. Circumcision surgically removes the foreskin, exposing the tip of the penis. Circumcision is usually performed by a doctor in the first few days of life. An infant must be stable and healthy to safely be circumcised.
Scientific studies show some medical benefits of circumcision. However, these benefits are not sufficient for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to recommend that all infant boys be circumcised.
Because circumcision is not essential to a child's health, parents should choose what is best for their child by looking at the benefits and risks. Circumcision may be more risky if done later in life, so parents should decide before or soon after their son is born if they want it done.
Reasons parents may choose circumcision
There are a variety of reasons why parents choose circumcision.
Medical benefits, including
A slightly lower risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). A circumcised infant boy has about a 1 in 1,000 chance of developing a UTI in the first year of life; an uncircumcised infant boy has about a 1 in 100 chance of developing a UTI in the first year of life.
A lower risk of getting cancer of the penis. However, this type of cancer is very rare in all males.
A slightly lower risk of getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Prevention of foreskin infections.
Prevention of phimosis, a condition in uncircumcised males that makes foreskin retraction impossible.
Easier genital hygiene.
Social reasons. Many parents choose to have it done because "all the other men in the family" had it done or because they do not want their sons to feel "different."
Religious or cultural reasons. Some groups such as followers of the Jewish and Islamic faiths practice circumcision for religious and cultural reasons.
Reasons parents may choose not to circumcise
The following are reasons why parents may choose NOT to have their son circumcised:
Fear of the risks. Complications are rare and usually minor but may include bleeding, infection, cutting the foreskin too short or too long, and improper healing.
Belief that the foreskin is needed. Some people feel the foreskin is needed to protect the tip of the penis. Without it, the tip of the penis may become irritated and cause the opening of the penis to become too small. This can cause urination problems that may need to be surgically corrected.
Belief it can affect sex. Some feel that circumcision makes the tip of the penis less sensitive, causing a decrease in sexual pleasure later in life.
Belief that proper hygiene can lower health risks. Boys can be taught proper hygiene that can lower their chances of getting infections, cancer of the penis, and STIs.
FYI: most cirumcisions are not covered by insurance companies these days as they are deemed medically unnecessary. i would check with your insurance carrier about there coverage of circumcisions.
Below is from the American Academy of Pediactrics http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Circumcision.htm
Should we have our son circumcised?
At birth, boys have skin that covers the end of the penis, called the foreskin. Circumcision surgically removes the foreskin, exposing the tip of the penis. Circumcision is usually performed by a doctor in the first few days of life. An infant must be stable and healthy to safely be circumcised.
Scientific studies show some medical benefits of circumcision. However, these benefits are not sufficient for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to recommend that all infant boys be circumcised.
Because circumcision is not essential to a child's health, parents should choose what is best for their child by looking at the benefits and risks. Circumcision may be more risky if done later in life, so parents should decide before or soon after their son is born if they want it done.
Reasons parents may choose circumcision
There are a variety of reasons why parents choose circumcision.
Medical benefits, including
A slightly lower risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). A circumcised infant boy has about a 1 in 1,000 chance of developing a UTI in the first year of life; an uncircumcised infant boy has about a 1 in 100 chance of developing a UTI in the first year of life.
A lower risk of getting cancer of the penis. However, this type of cancer is very rare in all males.
A slightly lower risk of getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Prevention of foreskin infections.
Prevention of phimosis, a condition in uncircumcised males that makes foreskin retraction impossible.
Easier genital hygiene.
Social reasons. Many parents choose to have it done because "all the other men in the family" had it done or because they do not want their sons to feel "different."
Religious or cultural reasons. Some groups such as followers of the Jewish and Islamic faiths practice circumcision for religious and cultural reasons.
Reasons parents may choose not to circumcise
The following are reasons why parents may choose NOT to have their son circumcised:
Fear of the risks. Complications are rare and usually minor but may include bleeding, infection, cutting the foreskin too short or too long, and improper healing.
Belief that the foreskin is needed. Some people feel the foreskin is needed to protect the tip of the penis. Without it, the tip of the penis may become irritated and cause the opening of the penis to become too small. This can cause urination problems that may need to be surgically corrected.
Belief it can affect sex. Some feel that circumcision makes the tip of the penis less sensitive, causing a decrease in sexual pleasure later in life.
Belief that proper hygiene can lower health risks. Boys can be taught proper hygiene that can lower their chances of getting infections, cancer of the penis, and STIs.
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