Circumcision- What's Your Decision?
Trying to make a decision about circumcision? Review the risks and benefits.
Having to make the decision to circumcise your brand new son can be a difficult choice for some parents to make. For others, the decision is not so difficult due to cultural and/or religious beliefs.
What is circumcision? Circumcision is the surgical removal of foreskin, which is the fold of skin covering the penis that boys are born with. Once this foreskin is removed, the tip of the penis (also known as the glans) is exposed.
Most circumcisions are performed within the first 10 days after birth, with most of these occurring before discharge from the hospital. The average healing time is 7-10 days. Circumcisions performed after the neonatal period (the first month of life) usually require general anesthesia (putting the child to sleep) and take longer to heal.
There are several documented benefits of circumcision, however, these benefits are not sufficient enough for the American Academy of Pediatrics to recommend routine circumcisions. These potential benefits include:
Circumcision is a surgery and although the risks are minimal, it is important to review them and discuss your concerns with your physician. These risks include bleeding, infection, injury, and possibly improper healing of the penis.
Read More: Circumcision - What's Your Decision
Having to make the decision to circumcise your brand new son can be a difficult choice for some parents to make. For others, the decision is not so difficult due to cultural and/or religious beliefs.
What is circumcision? Circumcision is the surgical removal of foreskin, which is the fold of skin covering the penis that boys are born with. Once this foreskin is removed, the tip of the penis (also known as the glans) is exposed.
Most circumcisions are performed within the first 10 days after birth, with most of these occurring before discharge from the hospital. The average healing time is 7-10 days. Circumcisions performed after the neonatal period (the first month of life) usually require general anesthesia (putting the child to sleep) and take longer to heal.
There are several documented benefits of circumcision, however, these benefits are not sufficient enough for the American Academy of Pediatrics to recommend routine circumcisions. These potential benefits include:
- Eliminates the risk of phimosis (the tightening of the foreskin which prevents retraction of the foreskin).
- Lower risk of urinary tract infections (UTI) in the first year of life.
- Lower risk of penile cancer.
- Lower risk of penile infections and inflammation.
- Lower risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
- Allows for easier hygiene of the penis.
Circumcision is a surgery and although the risks are minimal, it is important to review them and discuss your concerns with your physician. These risks include bleeding, infection, injury, and possibly improper healing of the penis.
Read More: Circumcision - What's Your Decision
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