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Circumcision Advantages | Disadvantages

December 23rd, 2013

Circumcision Advantages | Disadvantages

Circumcision Advantages and Disadvantages

Many cultures and religions discuss the circumcision advantages and do have an integrated rule of early male circumcision of boys in young age. While part of the culture, there are several potential advantages and disadvantages associated with circumcising boys shortly after they are born.
Sexually Transmitted DiseasesThe circumcision hygienic advantages have been discussed and studied widely: Circumcision is hygienic and prevents for diseases!
Circumcision is known to reduce the risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as a urethral or bladder infection.
Furthermore, circumcision has been studied and shown to reduce the risk of acquiring some types of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, and further complications after these infection such as cancer. In general circumcision has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer of the penis.
Although the studies show the circumcision advantages, the procedure is far from being generally accepted as a medical necessity with associated benefits more than disadvantages. In fact, most healthcare professionals do not consider the potential benefits of circumcision to be strong enough to justify routine childhood circumcision.

Arguments discussing the disadvantages of circumcision may include: 

Circumcision Effects ImageReduced Sensitivity 
Due to the glans coverage by the penile foreskin an uncircumcised penis is more sensitive than a circumcised penis; that is at least what men without circumcision report. Common belief is that circumcised men may experience less pleasure during sex; this idea was just recently withdrawn by a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine [Read our last post]. The study shows that circumcision does not negatively affect male sexual performance or satisfaction.

Potential Complications of Circumcision 

Circumcision is considered a minimal invasive surgical procedure which usually takes less than half an hour to perform. Circumcision can be performed under local or general anesthesia. While a relatively safe procedure, there are certain complications which may occur during or after a circumcision procedure. These may include excessive bleeding, pain, bruising, wound healing problems and post-operative infection.

Ethical Issues

Medical and human ethic advocates have long been discussing the consent issue of medical procedures performed on infants and young children. While the rules for medical emergencies have been clearly defined, elective procedures such as circumcision remain a ground for debate.
Specifically routinely performed circumcision on baby boys has been discussed to violate the principle of consent to treatment. The main argument is that circumcision should only be performed when a boy is old enough to make an informed decision about whether he wishes to be circumcised.

When it comes to elective medical procedures, the debates and discussions about right and wrong continue through endless ages. The fact is that some procedures belong to cultural and religious rituals, and some may be performed at a later age based on a patient’s desire. If an adult man decides to become circumcised, the decision should be based on personal preference and medical necessity. In this case, the circumcision advantages will for sure be on the far top of possible disadvantages.
We have discussed a lot about circumcision, its advantages and disadvantages in our previous blog posts. You may find them here:

Circumcision Surgery
Medical Reasons For Circumcision
Circumcision Effects on Male Sexual Satisfaction
Circumcision Advantages and Disadvantages
Circumcision Benefits in Adults

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