To circumsize or not?

Leisel - posted on 02/10/2009

I am a doctor and hygiene has nothing to do with whether boys are circumcised or not. I have 2 boys who are not circumcised and have had no problems. I just felt that I could not submit my new babies to an unneccesary surgical procedure with all the attendant risks.

Another thing that if my boys, when they are men, decide that they no longer want or need their foreskins they can be circumscised at any stage. On the other hand a foreskin can never be replaced once it has been removed, do I have the right to choose for my boys?

Rebecca - posted on 02/24/2009

I have been an operating room nurse for 5 years. I would say that if you can guarantee that your son will have no deficits caring for himself in his elderly years (and who can say that?) then don't circumsize. I've seen too many elderly men to count who have nonretractable foreskin and some of these men need to be circumsized when they are older. I have also seen a 23 year old with the same problem who was circumsized for the same reason.  

I say save the potential for pain later on in life and do it when they are too young to remember it. My son is curcumsized.

Jennifer - posted on 02/10/2009

My husband and I decided not to circumcise our son when he was born.  We have had no problems with infections.  There really is no better way medically its really a personal preference.  When I saw how they strapped the babies down in my prenatal class I was totally against it especially since it was not something medically necessary.  As long as you teach your son good hygeine he'll be fine.  Good luck!

Martinique - posted on 02/10/2009

I have two boys and we didn't circumsize either of them, I have always known about it being a concern for preventing infections, but we haven't had any issues with it. I have always thought it barbarick and cruel and my husband feels that being a part of his culture they didn't circumsize any males throughout his whole family, more of a religious prefference. You could talk with your husband and your doctor all about pros and cons of doing or not doing it, and see what they suggest. Today is world much different then once upon a time, there are more ways to help if infection develops today and there are less cause for infection because we have better ways to keep ourselves clean today! I wouldn't get your boy circumsized but definitely discuss it further with a doctor to be comfortable. Every child is different. Other families I know of where their sons were circumsized they mentioned trouble with dry skin in that area and pain, those who have not been circumsized have plenty of mosture and don't have that problem. By the age of 3 is when they start pulling the foreskin back to clean it, it doesn't move sooner than that. Good Luck! Congrats on the third child!

Nicole - posted on 02/14/2009

First of all, I have 3 sons and circumsized them all. It was a choice I made, because their father is circumsized. I also made that decision, because I have never had a circumsized man tell me that he wished he had not been circumsized, but I have talked to several uncircumsized men who wish they had been circumsized. One of those men being my own father. When I was pregnant with my first son, I was torn on the idea, too, and I decided to ask my mom if she had my brother circumsized and she said that he had been circumsized. She then told me the best person to ask would be my father, because he was uncircumsized. She also told me that they actually had problems during sex because of it. I don't know what that meant, but I decided to ask my dad and he told me to get my son circumsized! That was really all he said... I guess he was too embarrassed to go into any detail with me. He also said, that if it wasn't such a hard and painful procedure for adult men to have, that he would have it done. So... I have circumsized all of my boys and even come out of pocket to do so, because insurance did not cover the procedure, but after talking with my dad and hearing other uncircumsized men's opinions on it, I felt it was worth it.



No offense Rebecca, but when do you find the time to post all of this stuff??? Because, I only have ONE lover-my husband and I have 3 kids and I work from home... How in the world do you find the time to have that much sex to keep TWO sexual partners happy, have enough time to keep your kids safe and healthy, and still get enough sleep??? Personally, every moment of time I have for sex, I want to give that time to my husband (the man that I took vows with). Obviously, you have an open marriage and I wouldn't try to push my religious views onto you by saying that adultery is a huge sin, so I don't think you should be trying to push your views onto others who still use circumsizing as part of their religious beliefs. To each their own!



Oh, and by the way, my husband (and I'm sure EVERY OTHER circumsized male) doesn't remember this so "barbaric procedure". And the practice of circumsizing women, is to ensure that the woman gets no sexual pleasure from sex. It is to keep her totally subservient to her husband. While the millions of men who are circumsized around the world still get pleasure from sex! I've seen the research about "intact" men getting more pleasure from sex and that is a hard study to do, because of the bias in one direction or the other, not to mention that unless the procedure is done in adulthood, there is no way for a man to fully understand one side or the other. Sexual gratification varies from one person to another, circumsized or not. The only thing studies can say with definitve answers is that there is a cluster of nerve endings in the foreskin and that may (or may not) make sex more pleasurable. (Not to mention, that there are plenty of circumsized men who feel they ejaculate far too quickly as it is and

could only imagine how embarrassing that would be if they were more sensitive there.)



And I could tell you something sad about myself... too much stimulation on my clitoris during sex actually makes sex much LESS enjoyable for me. My husband knows this and takes special care to do what I need. The reason is the fact that it is TOO sensitive! So, maybe this can happen in some men???



Anyway! I know this is long, but while I had the time I wanted to try to get it all into ONE posting.



Shana, good luck with your new baby and I hope you got enough opinions, to make your own educated decision. Just because I circumsized my boys doesn't mean you should circumsize yours and visa versa. There is not enough medical evidence to push your opinion in either direction. Before circumcision started, men got along just fine with their foreskins intact. Circumcision was a result many years ago of men unable to take the necessary hygeine steps, but with indoor plumbing :) and good medical care these days, having foreskin doesn't really create many (only like 0.01%) medical problems. So just do your research and ASK MEN. Men would be better to answer these questions, being that most women will be more bias to the aesthetic appeal of circumsized penises. Good luck!

Sara - posted on 02/24/2009

Of course it's a personal choice, but I didn't circumcize either of my boys. The American Medical Association does not recommend circumcision. I think that circumcision desensitizes the penis (sexually), which of course doesn't matter while they're young, but I think my boys will privately thank me when they're adults. My husband's not circumcized, and I am grateful! I want my boys to have the choice themselves since this is not a medical procedure.

[deleted account]

I wanted to have my son circumsized, but my insurance did not cover it - they told me it would run around $300. My doctor told me that more and more mothers are not doing it - since the late 80's when the American Pediatric Society stopped suggesting it b/c there was no real medical reason to do it. My doctor said that there is a higher chance of urinary tract infections during the first few years, and just teach him how to clean himself well when he's old enough to understand and there will be no reason to worry. She also stated that the  American Pediatric Society had no proof that it was better or not to do this and that is why they stopped supporting, and therefore insurance stopped paying for it. Now, I DID want it for societal reasons, but I didn't want to pay $300 for this medically unnecessary proceedure. My husband is originally from another country and did not get circumsized, so I figured my son would be "just like dad" and it probably won't be an issue at home and he can teach him everything he knows. My son, to date, has never had any infections or problems. The doctor said that if he was, during the first few weeks, you REALLY have to care for the circumsized area for a different kind of infection of course. Later, more like a few months ago, I started a job with insurance that has a Flexible Spending Account and those DO cover circumsizions. Now that I didn't do it, I figure it's not a big deal, but you should be comfortable with what you choose. Good luck with everything!!!

[deleted account]

I wanted to have my son circumsized, but my insurance did not cover it - they told me it would run around $300. My doctor told me that more and more mothers are not doing it - since the late 80's when the American Pediatric Society stopped suggesting it b/c there was no real medical reason to do it. My doctor said that there is a higher chance of urinary tract infections during the first few years, and just teach him how to clean himself well when he's old enough to understand and there will be no reason to worry. She also stated that the  American Pediatric Society had no proof that it was better or not to do this and that is why they stopped supporting, and therefore insurance stopped paying for it. Now, I DID want it for societal reasons, but I didn't want to pay $300 for this medically unnecessary proceedure. My husband is originally from another country and did not get circumsized, so I figured my son would be "just like dad" and it probably won't be an issue at home and he can teach him everything he knows. My son, to date, has never had any infections or problems. The doctor said that if he was, during the first few weeks, you REALLY have to care for the circumsized area for a different kind of infection of course. Later, more like a few months ago, I started a job with insurance that has a Flexible Spending Account and those DO cover circumsizions. Now that I didn't do it, I figure it's not a big deal, but you should be comfortable with what you choose. Good luck with everything!!!

[deleted account]

I wanted to have my son circumsized, but my insurance did not cover it - they told me it would run around $300. My doctor told me that more and more mothers are not doing it - since the late 80's when the American Pediatric Society stopped suggesting it b/c there was no real medical reason to do it. My doctor said that there is a higher chance of urinary tract infections during the first few years, and just teach him how to clean himself well when he's old enough to understand and there will be no reason to worry. She also stated that the  American Pediatric Society had no proof that it was better or not to do this and that is why they stopped supporting, and therefore insurance stopped paying for it. Now, I DID want it for societal reasons, but I didn't want to pay $300 for this medically unnecessary proceedure. My husband is originally from another country and did not get circumsized, so I figured my son would be "just like dad" and it probably won't be an issue at home and he can teach him everything he knows. My son, to date, has never had any infections or problems. The doctor said that if he was, during the first few weeks, you REALLY have to care for the circumsized area for a different kind of infection of course. Later, more like a few months ago, I started a job with insurance that has a Flexible Spending Account and those DO cover circumsizions. Now that I didn't do it, I figure it's not a big deal, but you should be comfortable with what you choose. Good luck with everything!!!

Leslie-ann - posted on 02/24/2009

My husband and I debated and a lot of discussions when we discovered that our second child was a boy.  I had embarassing conversations with some of our male friends about the pros and cons of this issue.  In the end we decided to circumsize him right after birth.

It is not a decision that we regretted.  One of my friends had a son right after me and did not circumsize him.  I have to tell you that the things I see that she has to do when bathing him make me very uncomfortable and glad of our decision.

In the end, I hope that you make a choice that both of you can live with.

Bonnie - posted on 02/24/2009

there are tons of studies but really it will come down to wha you want to do. if you do it when he is a baby it is much cheaper and safer to do befoere he gets too old. also my husband is cercomsized, so i wanted my son danton to be able to know that it is ok and normal, no to have ot wonder why dosnt my penis look like my daddy's? But i really do belive that if you are cercomsized it dose help to protact the penis from getting stds' though obviously not fools proof. the skin folds can hold bacteria and that can cause a problem, proper cleaning though helps this not be an issue.

hope this helps! good luck with your decision!!

Veronica - posted on 02/24/2009

well congrates!! i would circumsize him because i have been told that sometimes the skin isnt big enough to grow with the penis sometimes and has to be removed later in life which is way more painful. so i would look into somethings and talk it over again and go from there!

Jolene - posted on 02/24/2009

OMG that is a lot of drama to read through. LOL

So I guess the only thing really that needs to be considered is your own personal reasonings for or against circumcision.  

If you take away peoples comments on infection ( circumcized  penis vs uncircumsized, both can get infected,

take away comments which way is more work (either way the childs penis has to be cleaned)

take away all the negative comments and look for the positive ones..........

Im sure it will help to make your decision easier.

I am a mom of three boys.   I have not had any of them circumsized.  My decision was based , not on religious beliefs, not on the fact that their dad IS circumsized, or because they might get "teased" in school, I based my decision on what I personally felt was the best thing for my children.   As a mom thats all i can do.  Sure it might not be what someone else thinks is the best, but in my life someone elses opinion is considered but in the end its irrelevant.   

Here are some facts:

Circumcision is NOT a medical necessity.

Infection can happen in a circumsized penis and in an uncircumsized penis.  The key to avoiding this is proper cleaning.

Jolene - posted on 02/24/2009

OMG that is a lot of drama to read through. LOL

So I guess the only thing really that needs to be considered is your own personal reasonings for or against circumcision.  

If you take away peoples comments on infection ( circumcized  penis vs uncircumsized, both can get infected,

take away comments which way is more work (either way the childs penis has to be cleaned)

take away all the negative comments and look for the positive ones..........

Im sure it will help to make your decision easier.

I am a mom of three boys.   I have not had any of them circumsized.  My decision was based , not on religious beliefs, not on the fact that their dad IS circumsized, or because they might get "teased" in school, I based my decision on what I personally felt was the best thing for my children.   As a mom thats all i can do.  Sure it might not be what someone else thinks is the best, but in my life someone elses opinion is considered but in the end its irrelevant.   

Here are some facts:

Circumcision is NOT a medical necessity.

Infection can happen in a circumsized penis and in an uncircumsized penis.  The key to avoiding this is proper cleaning.

Jolene - posted on 02/24/2009

OMG that is a lot of drama to read through. LOL

So I guess the only thing really that needs to be considered is your own personal reasonings for or against circumcision.  

If you take away peoples comments on infection ( circumcized  penis vs uncircumsized, both can get infected,

take away comments which way is more work (either way the childs penis has to be cleaned)

take away all the negative comments and look for the positive ones..........

Im sure it will help to make your decision easier.

I am a mom of three boys.   I have not had any of them circumsized.  My decision was based , not on religious beliefs, not on the fact that their dad IS circumsized, or because they might get "teased" in school, I based my decision on what I personally felt was the best thing for my children.   As a mom thats all i can do.  Sure it might not be what someone else thinks is the best, but in my life someone elses opinion is considered but in the end its irrelevant.   

Here are some facts:

Circumcision is NOT a medical necessity.

Infection can happen in a circumsized penis and in an uncircumsized penis.  The key to avoiding this is proper cleaning.

Zowie - posted on 02/24/2009

Quoting Rebecca:

and, btw, you are further showing your incompetence by the fact that you couldn't even spell my name correctly --- gee, are you dyslexic. maybe if we circumcised you -- after all the covering of the clitoris is also an unnecessary piece of skin *rolls eyes again* -- it would help with your inability to copy someone's name correctly.

yes, that is sarcasm.

HEY!!!!! HOW DARE YOU!!!!!! THIS IS A TOPIC THAT EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINION. BUT IM SURE SHANA IS GOING TO TAKE ON BOARD WHAT EVERYONE HAS SAID AND MAKE HER OWN DECISION. NOW YES YOU HAVE YOUR OWN OPINION AND YES IT COUNTS BUT YOU HAVE NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER TO CRITICISE OTHER PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT IT. YOUR OPINION ISNT THE ONLY ONE. SO STOP WITH YOUR INSULTS AND BAD JUDGEMENT ON PEOPLE AND GET OVER YOURSELF.!!! IF YOU DONT LIKE WHAT OTHERS THINK THEN TO BAD, BUILD A BRIDGE AND GET OVER IT... NO ONE NEEDS TO BE PUT DOWN FROM SOMEONE LIKE YOU.

User - posted on 02/24/2009

Both my boys were circumsized. We made this decision because of several reasons, it is cleaner, we have known several boys and/or men that had trouble when they were older, and when I questioned it...my doctor said to me that he feels it is easier on the child if they "match" their daddy. There is an obvious difference and the child will feel he is different from his daddy and will not understand why. At a few days old, the baby is not affected by the circumcision...he cries out and then it is over. When a child gets older, if it HAS to be done, then it is much harder on them and I just did not want to take the chance of putting my child through that. Hope this helps.

Barb - posted on 02/24/2009

As there is no medical reason to circumsize in today's day and age, it is really a personal choice. Both of my boys are "intact" as we had no religious or medical reason for circumsizing. I would suggest getting information from your doctor and making the choice with your husband!

Good luck!

User - posted on 02/24/2009

I have 3 boys and all 3 are circumsized.  I'm unsure as to why your husband would not wish your boy to be circumsized.  It is safer, and cleaner, and less painful to have it done right at birth than to possibly wait till there is an infection or the doctor state that he will require one when he's older.  If he is worried about the baby being in pain, they have local anesthetics that they can place around the area so the baby doesn't feel a thing.  That was my husband's issue.  It will look red, and be irritated till it heals, but it won't hurt when he goes to the bathroom so long as you put the vasiline on it that they give you in the hospital.  Hope this helps.

Kylie - posted on 02/24/2009

Wow you have really opened a can of worms here!!! LOL Hope you are able to read them all. What you decide is no one else's business, honestly this is only one of the small decisions you have to make, don't sweat it too much. Good luck

Shanika - posted on 02/24/2009

It's best to get him circumsized. Because it is very easy to get an infection if not cleaned well. And I have a stepson who was circumsized at 4 years old and I hate that he had to go thru that pain. I just had my first boy and I got him circumsized. So talk it over with your husband so more and hopefully he changes his mind.

[deleted account]

i had my son circumsized and he didnt even cry cuz they give him a drug to num it...I VOTE YES YES YES TO CIRCUMSIZING

[deleted account]

i am so for circumsizing baby boys...for one its better hygiene and they're very unsitely to look at if uncircumsized...JUST DO IT ....every boy when uncircumsized grows up to be a man wishing he was circumsized...many women are discouraged by an uncircumsized penis....

Kristian - posted on 02/24/2009

Both of my boys were circumsized, it is personal preference, I have an 8 year old and a 5.5 month old, the pediatrician in the hospital used a new technique to circumsize my new baby, its a ring that fits on the end of the penis and fall off by itself within the first week or two, yes it hung by a piece of skin for a day or so before finally falling off in his diaper but it didn't seem to bother him a bit. Talk to a pediatrician about it, I think this new technique is less evasive compared to the doctor actually having to surgically snip the foreskin.

Tamara - posted on 02/24/2009

I chose not to have my son circumsized. I figured it's his body and if he chooses to get it done when he's older then all the power to him.

Tarina - posted on 02/24/2009

My ex-husband is not circumsized, however, when we had our son, I got his done. You have to think about him. When he's old enough and doesn't want Mommy or Daddy giving him a bath anymore, is he going to take care of it properly to prevent infections and things like that? I'm SO glad I got my son's done bcuz it's a lot easier to take care of. Good luck!!

Serena - posted on 02/24/2009

The one thing thats bothering me here: Why are people pulling back their little childrens foreskins? Its not too tight its ATTACHED until they get older, then it will come back naturally when its ready.

Jennifer - posted on 02/24/2009

And for those of you who keep citing the possibility of UTIs and yeast infections as a reason to get your son circumcised, haven't most women had at least one of these infections? I've had both, and I promise you my doctor never looked at me and said, "You know, if we'd just cut your labia off when you were a baby, you wouldn't be having this problem." So why do it to your boy?

Samantha - posted on 02/24/2009

I didn't get my boy circumsized. The practice is old and unnecessary, people say it is a pain to keep the skin clean and un-infected. I have had no problems with him, none of my brothers were circumsized and they never had any problems either. Also the idea of strapping my baby down to razor his penis was more than I could bear (where I'm from they don't use anesthetic, I'm not sure if they do where you are at). There is no way I could that to him, its not necessary. The chance of infection is so low anyway. I researched the pros and cons before he was born and I saw that it wasn't worth it to pay that amount of money to put him through so much pain. The population is 50/50 now of men who are and who aren't so it is not like he will be made fun of. I think circumcision is an archaic tradition that was alright for a bunch of men who wandered the desert hundreds of years ago, THEY were dirty, we are not, we have running water and soap all the time. We can keep the foreskin clean and if anything should happen, we have doctors.

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2009

Quoting Rasheeda:

If you wouldn't do it to your daughter, then don't do it to your son. There are plenty of countries out there that tout female circumcision (usually involving removing the clitoris) as something hygenic, reducing infection, similar to the wa male circumcision is promoted. If you think that removing a portion of someone's genitalia is fine and would do it to a boy or a girl, then go for it. But, if this is just a cultural norm thing and you would never think of doing it to your daughter, then you should respect your husband's wishes and not remove his son's foreskin. If your son wants to have it done, there is nothing to preclude him from doing it in the future.

I agree!

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2009

I am not sure, but maybe the infections of the uncircumcised boys and babies is from the parents pulling at the foreskin and cleaning it when it needs to retract on it's own.  And it is a self cleaning part.  Women who douche are at higher risk for infections, because the vagina is a self cleaning part.  Lets be logical here people.  I can't even believe that this is an arguable thing.  Hurt your baby or leave it the way it was made?  Maybe we should stop having kids because they could get sick and die, lets lop off body parts because they could become infected, this is ridiculous, I can't believe the way people justify their choices.

Jennifer - posted on 02/24/2009

Circumcision is medically unnecessary. If you do perform this procedure on your unconcenting minor child, you are essentially having cosmetic surgery performed on your baby. Do some research. There are a ton of books available at your local library on the pros and cons of this procedure. As for me, my son is intact and beautiful. I would never cut perfectly healthy and FUNCTIONAL pieces of my children off without having a medical reason for it. (yes, the foreskin actually serves a purpose and a function....so think long and hard about this before you make your decision.)

Rasheeda - posted on 02/24/2009

If you wouldn't do it to your daughter, then don't do it to your son. There are plenty of countries out there that tout female circumcision (usually involving removing the clitoris) as something hygenic, reducing infection, similar to the wa male circumcision is promoted. If you think that removing a portion of someone's genitalia is fine and would do it to a boy or a girl, then go for it. But, if this is just a cultural norm thing and you would never think of doing it to your daughter, then you should respect your husband's wishes and not remove his son's foreskin. If your son wants to have it done, there is nothing to preclude him from doing it in the future.

Cynthia - posted on 02/24/2009

I have two boys who were both circumsized in the hospital after birth, they had no problems, and my decision was based on a few factors.



1- My husband is and I thought it could be important for him to 'match'.



2- I knew a boy who had to have it done in his teens for medical reasons and it was so painful.



3- A lot of pre-teen boys have hygiene probs, I worked in a middle school while I was pregnant, and all the boys who passed me smelled like they only showered once a week. With foreskin that needs cleansing, that can be problematic and lead to infections.



4- I did research, and found that circumsized males were 50 % less likely to contract an STD and other diseases.



5- I know a man who is not and he is embarrassed by it and told his wife that his sons will be because of the embarrassment he has had.



I recommend doing your own research, as far as I found, the only pro for non circ males is that they have a little more sensation during sex (the forskin covers the head and protects it from rubbing on clothing), and when I asked my husband he said that sex was fine without a foreskin and anymore sensation would be overkill.

Crystal - posted on 02/24/2009

id say its total up to you and your hubby. i think this is one of the biggest issues everyone has a different answer/opinon for. its not covered, so that might be one think about. i have three boys and i had all three circumsized. i think its healthier. and there have been studies to show it helps again stds. plus i had a few people had to get there older boys done becasue they kept getting infections. i didnt want that to happen to mine. plus there is always we wanted them to look like there dad. there is alot to think about, and to find a doctor that does it. so all in all i think i would go for it, but thats just me

Susan - posted on 02/24/2009

I say circumsize! I have a few stories....my husband was not until it got infected at age six, he then got circumsized and said even though he was only six the procedure was painful but the infection hurt worse. So when our son was born we wanted to get him circumsized for fear of infection later in life. It was not covered at the time and we could not afford it..so we left it. My cousin left her son as well for money issues. By the time her son was six he had numerous infections and had to get circumsized. Then when my son turned 7 we started having trouble wih infections and also found out that his foreskin was too tight and could not be pulled back. So at age 7 my son finally had to get circumsized. I now wish we could have afforded to get it done when he was a baby. This time around at age 7 it was a very painful experince for him and wished he did not have to go through that at that age. It is much easier for him to keep it clean now and no more infections!

Please keep this in consideration when making your choice. You may regret it later like i did. Take care and all the best!

Jessica - posted on 02/24/2009

My husband and I wanted to but it was pretty expensive when our son was born. We decided not to and are okay with that decision. God put the skin there for a reason maybe we shouldn't mess up what God made.

[deleted account]

I have scanned the replies and there are some good, well informed ones, and a bunch filled with myths and absolutely incorrect medical information! I would simply ask a question: "why are you doing it?". Other than a religious custom (which I don't believe in), there is not a valid reason. I found that the following discussion (see link) really helped me understand the issue and why there is so much confusion:



http://www.mothering.com/sections/expert...



My son is intact and 3 1/2 years old, by the way. The comment I see repeatedly that just makes me angry is "it is easier to clean- the hygiene issue". Completely false. It is nature- it takes care of itself. We bathe, use diapers, babywipes, soap and municipal water- these modern conveniences take care of any archaic "problems". One last thing- the average age for foreskin retractability is 10 years, so people should be letting their sons grow and develop normally (NOT pulling foreskin back to clean it"!!)

Best Regards to you,

Elizabeth - posted on 02/24/2009

Barbaric and disgusting, this is an old wives tale and most people nowadays realize this. As for religious reasons that's up to them, if you look back on the history of circumcision it wasn't done for hygiene it was done as a sacrifice. I come from the UK and no-one ever does this to their children (apart from Jewish, Muslims etc). I have never known any of my male family members or even my own 2 sons to have infections because of a foreskin, it's there for a reason. Sorry for my rant but I find this a procedure that is totally uncalled for.

Arianna - posted on 02/24/2009

I vote no!!! there is pain involved and my bf never was nor his brother.

its natural.

its safe to leave it alone

contrary to what u head about infectinos or bacteria.. if a child gets a bath all is well.

LET freedom ring sister!

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2009

Quoting Weiss:

It's a hygiene issue among other things. I will have my son circumsized when he's old enough to bear the procedure. I'm not sure exactly when, I guess it's always best to ask your doctor.

What if your son doesn't want the procedure?  Would you force him to have it?

Weiss - posted on 02/24/2009

It's a hygiene issue among other things. I will have my son circumsized when he's old enough to bear the procedure. I'm not sure exactly when, I guess it's always best to ask your doctor.

Serena - posted on 02/24/2009

Quoting Tawnya:

My husband never got circumsized and wishes he would of.Some children are different but one of my friends kids had grown closed and had to have it reopened several times.He couldn't go to the bathroom. I would suggest to have it done.Its much easier on you to keep it clean and sanitary for the child.And easier on the child when there young and when they get older.

I'm just curious as to why your husband wishes he had been circumcised?

Tawnya - posted on 02/24/2009

My husband never got circumsized and wishes he would of.Some children are different but one of my friends kids had grown closed and had to have it reopened several times.He couldn't go to the bathroom. I would suggest to have it done.Its much easier on you to keep it clean and sanitary for the child.And easier on the child when there young and when they get older.

Amy - posted on 02/24/2009

Working in the medical field and having 2 boys of my own I would have to say that its NOT medically proven to be BETTER if you circumsize.  Its all a matter of opinion.  In Europe it is only done by the Jewish for religious regions.  The American culture has started to use it to scare people into doing it.   The only reason it became so popular was during WWI when they were getting infected in the trenches.

The healtier and easier to clean is a load of "crap"  teach the boy how to clean it and you have no problems. The foreskin actually makes a safe barrier to keep stool and bacteria out.  Just don't pull the foreskin back until it does it on its own.  The whole my child will look different isn't the way to make a decision either. Statistics actually show that in Canada more boys are not circumsized and are of the majority.

My boys are not done they are 14 and 7 and we have NEVER had an issue with infections or cleanliness.  

I would suggest listening to your husband he is a man and would have a better understanding on the situation.

Have you actually seen what and how they do a circumsicion!  Believe me its NOT pretty

Good Luck with your decision.   In the end what matters most is that you did what works best for you and your baby!

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2009

Yeast infections are mainly caused by what you put inside your body.  We eat a diet which is not really suitable to any living thing. 

Serena - posted on 02/24/2009

Unless there is a medical reason, then in my opinion its unnecessary. I've never heard of any baby I know having an infection, my son certainly never had any problems.

As for the supposed HIV risks.. the only way to protect from that is a condom. You can't rely on a circumsicion to protect from that. The points made about peer pressure... you're going to let the silly opinions of school kids in the locker room affect the rest of your sons life? As the operation becomes less and less common, then it will be the norm to have a foreskin.

Suzi - posted on 02/24/2009

No yeast infections are not from just what you put in your body they are mainly about keeping everything clean. I constantly got them with my first pregnancy and the doctors said that it was because of not keeping clean. I am an Equine professional and working with horses and not taking a shower everyday is dirty and that is what they say is what caused all the yeast infections. That is also what my youngest son doctor said would happen if we didn't circumsize our second boy. If he didn't clean right he would be more prone to infections. I have seen that there are several different opinions and it all depends on the type of doctor you have. The more new age says that it is unnecessary were the older style doctors agree that it would be best. It is not their decision. Also I have been told by both my boys doctors that it is not as painful as it seems because they do make it so that it goes numb.

Suzi - posted on 02/24/2009

My husband was the same way with our second boy. We had our first circumsized, but he didn't want the second. There isn't really a good or bad of either. You just have to clean the uncircumsized different, and have to teach the child how to clean it when they are old enough. We ended up circumsizing the youngest cause I didn't want to have to teach them the cleaning and have to do the extra cleaning at diaper changing. I know lazy right!!! heehe

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2009

Yeast infections are mainly caused by what you put inside your body.  We eat a diet which is not really suitable to any living thing. 

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I would strongly urge you to circumcise.  My husband is not, has diabetes, and is always getting bacterial/yeast infections under the foreskin even though he showers daily.  Even without the diabetes, it is much easier to clean.  We had our son circumcised and it was so much easier to keep him clean.  He is now 31 and agrees.  (Apologies to my husband and son if they ever see this note and someone figures out I'm posting about them, but I just want to help.)

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2009

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2009

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2009

Quoting Bobbi:

Every adult male I have known that isn't circumcised wishes he was.  My BIL wasn't, and was fine most his life, but then he had a really bad problem with and had to be circumcised after the age of 50, which was as he said very painful.

 

My son is not circumcised and I wish he was.  He has problems keeping it clean, doesn't like the way it "feels" he says.   Just seems more regret not having it done, and I have never heard anyone ever say they regret getting it done.

Well, my bf regrets having it done, but oh wait he didn't have it done his parents made that choice for him...I am wondering if anyone one of you pro circ people have read about the penis.  Do you know what the function of the foreskin is?

The foreskin has three known functions: protective, sensory, and sexual.

During infancy, the foreskin is attached to the glans and protects it from urine, feces, and abrasions from diapers. Throughout life, the foreskin keeps the glans soft and moist and protects it from trauma and injury. Without this protection, the glans becomes dry, calloused, and desensitized from exposure and chafing.

Specialized nerve endings in the foreskin enhance sexual pleasure.

The foreskin may have functions not yet recognized or understood.  This was written by a Dr. Dean Edell

The innervation of the foreskin is impressive. Genitally intact males know from personal experience that the foreskin is one of the most sensitive parts of the body. Consequently, for over a century, some of the most respected names in medical science have turned their attention to this part of the body. Anatomists have transformed this inner knowledge into careful scientific observations about the complex innervation of the foreskin. As the most richly innervated part of the penis, the foreskin has the largest number of nerve receptors, as well as the greatest variety of nerve receptors. These specialized nerve endings include Meissner's corpuscles, free nerve endings, end bulbs of Krause, corpuscles of Ruffini, Pacinian corpuscles, genital end bulbs, genital bodies, Merkel's disks, Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles, and Vater-Pacinian corpuscles. These remarkable organs provide the foreskin with an amazing ability to detect the slightest sensations of touch, motion, temperature, and pressure. We are still unaware of all the facts about these fascinating structures. Future research may discover even more nerve receptors in the foreskin and help clarify what useful purposes they serve.

Erogenous Zones of the Foreskin

The foreskin is what's known as a specific erogenous zone. This means that it is richly equipped with a high density and concentration of specialized and sophisticated nerve receptors that convey pleasure. The only other specific erogenous zones on the male body are the conjunctiva of the eye, lips, nipples, perianal skin, and the head of the penis. The presence of specialized erogenous nerve receptors makes this part of the body especially important.

The primary zones of erotogenous sensitivity are the frenulum, ridged mucosa, the preputial orifice, and the external fold of the foreskin. All of these zones are orgasmic triggers. Continuous and gentle stimulation of any one of these areas can elicit pleasure, orgasm, and ejaculation.

How the Glans Compares With the Foreskin

Most people are surprised to learn that the glans penis is one of the least sensitive parts of the entire body. Obviously, this news may be worrying for circumcised males. The glans is insensitive to light touch, heat, cold, and even to pinpricks, as researchers at the Department of Pathology in the Health Sciences Centre at the University of Manitoba discovered. The corona of the glans contains scattered free nerve endings, genital end bulbs, and Pacinian corpuscles, which transmit sensations of pain and deep pressure. The glans is nearly incapable of detecting light touch.

The nerve receptors of the corona are designed to be stimulated through the medium of the foreskin. Direct stimulation of the glans of the intact penis is most pleasant when the stimulus mimics the moist, massaging action of the foreskin. The moving ring of pressure created by the lips of the foreskin and ridged mucosa stimulate the nerve receptors in the rim of the glans. While pleasurable stimulation of the frenulum and ridged mucosa is instantly perceived, sensation of the corona is slow and gradual. When fully stimulated, the erotic sensations felt in the corona are perceived as having a slow, warm, and rich quality. As nice as this is, it hardly compares to the erotic sensations generated by the foreskin. Circumcised males have been robbed of a normal body part. They have also been robbed of a normal level of sexual sensation. Just as a person whose lips were amputated could never really appreciate the sensations that lips can convey, so a circumcised male can never understand what his genitally intact friends experience. This helps explain why some circumcised males defend circumcision so vehemently. They have no idea what was taken from them and are psychologically unprepared to deal with their loss.

Isn't The Foreskin A Vestigial Organ Like The Appendix?

No. First of all, the appendix is hardly a vestigial organ. This myth was created back in the nineteenth century when medical science was too primitive to figure out the purpose of the appendix. Doctors back then were foolish enough to think that any organ whose function they were unable to understand was functionless and vestigial. Nowadays, we know the appendix to be an important part of the immune system, producing large quantities of lymphocytes and pumping them into the small intestine. Similarly, the myth that the foreskin is a vestigial organ was invented by circumcisers as an additional justification for imposing mass circumcision on the American people. The foreskin cannot be vestigial. The results of a fascinating study conducted by Dr. Christopher Cold and Dr. Kenneth A. McGrath demonstrate that the human foreskin is an evolutionary advancement over the foreskins of other primates. The human foreskin is far more sophisticated and responsive, as their comparative anatomy studies prove. This is seen most clearly in the evolutionary increase in corpuscular innervation of the human foreskin and the simultaneous decrease in corpuscular receptors in the human glans relative to the innervation of the foreskin and glans of lower primates. In other words, in monkeys and apes, the glans is more sensitive than the foreskin. In humans, this is reversed, so that the foreskin is more sensitive than the glans. If the foreskin were “vestigial,” this advancement would never have taken place and the human foreskin would be either equally or less sensitive than the ape foreskin.

It is important to remember that there are no vestigial organs or body parts. Each and every part of the body serves a specific, important purpose. If the foreskin failed to serve a purpose, it would have disappeared millions of years ago. Drs. Cold and McGrath conclude that, over the last 65 million years, the foreskin has offered reproductive advantages. It must also be remembered that sexual selection has refined the external genitalia of every creature, including man. The human foreskin is the product of millions of years of evolutionary refinement, and, as such, the human foreskin represents the epitome of design perfection.

Copyright © 2002 by Paul M. Fleiss, M.D.

http://www.enotalone.com/article/3513.ht...

Maeghan - posted on 02/24/2009

My husband's a doctor and says there is no medical reason to circumsize as long as good hygeine is practiced (i.e. a bath ever other day or so).  Unless you are Jewish (in which case there are religious reasons), why change the way God made us?