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Circumcision – A Deeply Personal, Parental Decision

The decision to circumcise your infant boy is one that you and your partner should take very seriously. Those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths view circumcision as mandatory procedure governed by deep religious beliefs, others choose to circumcise their infant sons for hygiene purposes, reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and many other reasons. The procedure, when done on infant males, rarely results in serious complications; circumcision of adults comes with far greater risk of infection and serious complications.

The decision to circumcise your infant boy is one that you and your partner should take very seriously.  Those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths view circumcision as mandatory procedure governed by deep religious beliefs, others choose to circumcise their infant sons for hygiene purposes, reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and many other reasons. The procedure, when done on infant males, rarely results in serious complications; circumcision of adults comes with far greater risk of infection and serious complications.

Circumcision Causes No Adverse Effect on Sexual Function

Some very vocal participants in the anti-circumcision crowd decry the practice, saying that removal of the penile foreskin reduces sexual sensation and satisfaction. Since mohelim (individuals who perform circumcisions and the rituals associated with it in the Jewish faith) and physicians most often circumcise infant males, evidence as to whether it affects sexual satisfaction is rare. Obviously, men circumcised as infants have never had sexual intercourse with a foreskin intact and, therefore, do not have the adequate experience necessary to offer valid opinions surrounding this aspect of the debate.

A 2008 study, appearing in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, assessed the effect of adult male circumcision on sexual satisfaction and sensation. Researchers conducted a study on adult males in Kenya who underwent circumcision in an effort to prevent HIV infection in high-risk heterosexual males. The study concluded that circumcision in adult males caused no sexual dysfunction. The men reported increased sensitivity and greater ease in orgasm. Further, the study found that performing circumcisions on adult males to reduce HIV infection does not negatively affect their sexual pleasure and satisfaction.

Male Circumcision Reduces the Risk of HIV Transmission

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) presents a factsheet on its website that cites several studies and other types of research that show a significant reduction in the risk of HIV transmission by circumcised heterosexual men during sexual intercourse. Thirty-five studies, most of which took place in Africa, showed that circumcision had a significant effect in protecting against HIV transmission. Sixteen of the studies, occurring within the general population, did show inconsistent results, but of the 19 conducted on high-risk population, all showed circumcision had a considerable protective effect against HIV transmission. All of these findings were consistent and substantial and two had statistically significant results.

The same factsheet goes on to detail studies of American heterosexual men in various population groups with similar results. Most significantly, for American men with definite HIV exposure, circumcision reduced actual HIV infection by a statistically significant 58 percent.

Low Rates of Complications in Male Infants

In a February 2010 issue of BioMed Central – Urology, reported results from 16 studies that aimed to evaluate frequency of complications after infant male circumcision procedures. No severe adverse events (SAE) occurred in 14 of the studies. Researchers reported a 2 percent frequency of SAE in two of the studies with a median frequency of 1.5 percent for complications of any kind. Complications occur with more frequency in circumcisions performed on children – median frequency of 6 percent. Final conclusions show rare occurrence of complications after infant circumcision with frequency of SAE rising as the age of the child undergoing the procedure rises. This evidence suggests that pediatric circumcision should continue for cultural reasons and as a strategy for prevention of sexually transmitted disease and urinary tract infections.

Final Considerations

All surgical procedures come with some level of risk attached, but for infant male circumcision, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Even so, the decision to circumcise, or not, remains a deeply personal decision between parents of the infant boy; the public must respect the decision of the parents either way.


Samantha Gluck

Samantha Gluck owns All Media Freelance, LLC where she works as a freelance health care journalist. Launched in 2011, the business has grown rapidly, requiring she add four staff writers to the AMF team. Gluck's work is featured in numerous prestigious publications, including the Houston Chronicle and the newly launched Balanced Living Magazine.

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