To Circumcise or Not to Circumcise: That is the Parent’s Question

The dad would have someone to play basketball with in the future, while the mom would have another guy in the house to protect her and do man-chores whenever the dad is not around. But before parents could go on to imagine their life with their new baby boy, they have to answer a certain question first and this has got to do with the choice of circumcision.

Circumcision, which involves the surgical removal of the skin that is covering the tip of the penis, is a common procedure in the United States, Canada, and in many parts of the world. However, mixed opinions remain for this procedure. Some parents who agree to this procedure may do so because of family tradition, religious ritual, preventive health care or personal hygiene. Those who oppose circumcision think it is unnecessary, damaging, and mutilating. This leads some parents to this question: To Circumcise or Not?

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Benefits of Circumcision

1. Personal hygiene – A circumcised penis is easier and simpler to clean, wash, and care for that an uncircumcised penis.
2. Decrease in the risk of a urinary tract infection – Baby boys with uncircumcised penises are ten time more prone to UTI than their circumcised counterparts. UTI should be treated immediately, otherwise it may develop into a severe kidney disease in the future.
3. Prevention of penile infection – Uncircumcised penis that is difficult or impossible to retract (phimosis) can lead to inflammation of the penis head.
4. Lower risk of illnesses such as penile cancer as well as sexually transmitted diseases

Drawbacks of Circumcision

1. Bleeding and infection – Since circumcision is a surgical procedure, baby boys who undergo this are subjected to risks of surgery such as excessive bleeding and infection. These are not that common but still possible to happen.
2. Pain – This procedure hurts and requires local anesthesia to block nerve sensations.

1.  Circumcision is not a viable choice for children who have certain medical conditions, which include but is not limited to abnormality of the penis. Consulting a doctor will help determine if a child is a possible candidate for this procedure.
2. This procedure is done in the hospital nursery or in an outpatient setting a few weeks after the birth. During the process, your baby boy will lie on his back with arms and legs restrained. The doctor would cleanse the penis area and inject an anesthetic into the base of the penis. Alternatively, the anesthetic may come in the form of a cream. A clamp will be attached to the penis while the foreskin is removed. The doctor will then cover it with ointment and wrap it loosely with gauze. The whole process takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
3. A circumcised penis will usually take about 7 to 10 days to heal. It is all right to wash the penis during this time. Change the bandage every time you change the diaper and apply a dab of petroleum jelly at the tip of the penis.
4. Contact your doctor immediately if there is persistent bleeding or redness on the tip of the penis or if there is a foul-smelling discharge.

If you do decide to skip the procedure, it is all right as well. Just make sure that you care for your son’s uncircumcised penis the right way by washing it with soap and water during each bath. Teach your kid to clean the foreskin during each bath by pulling it back, cleaning it with soap and water, rinsing, and pulling it back over the head of the penis.