What is circumcision exactly? This question has been bothering my for a while. Circumcision, though it may look like a medical procedure, is more of an aesthetic process. There is no hard and fast definition on what is ” circumcised.” It varies from culture-to-culture, country to nation, and even region-to region. It has also changed over the course of human history, sometimes for hundreds of years. Let’s stick to what we know and what we accept as normal.
The simplest form of circumcision is simply the surgical removing of the foreskin from the penis (with the scrotum). The more common procedure involves cutting the foreskin with forceps. Next, a scalpel-like tool is used to place the foreskin. This is followed by a corrugator-like knife cutting the skin with another instrument. To minimize pain and other physiologic stress, local or topically applied numbing is used. To help remove the foreskin, a retractor is placed over the head, shaft, and neck.
A circumcision is usually performed to prevent infection of the circumcised area, to reduce friction and make intercourse more enjoyable, or to help the baby adjust to his new anatomical position. Whatever the reason, the baby must let go of his skin before he can have any kind of sex. I don’t know about you, but this seems a little extreme. Parents don’t want their baby to be in pain or have his genitals removed for no reason. There are safer ways to address these issues. Parents can talk with their doctor freely without worrying about whether their doctor will recommend that their baby be circumcised for religious reasons.
Some believe circumcision has health benefits that outweigh its risks. Studies on the health benefits of circumcision have not supported these claims. For example, doctors have found penile cancer not to be more common in boys than in girls. There are no significant differences between the types or amount of sexual transmitted diseases that are contracted in circumcised males versus those that are contracted in uncircumcised men. And although the procedure does reduce the risk of men contracting genital warts, the only known genital warts cure involves surgery, and the procedure is painful and expensive. These infections may not require circumcision.
The majority of circumcision supporters argue that the procedure has more than enough medical benefits to be worth the effort. They point out that babies who are circumcised have higher survival rates than those who weren’t. They also note that hiv is a greater risk factor in infants who have not been circumcised, and that those who are circumcised are less likely than others to contract it. Other medical benefits of circumcision include a decreased chance of developing erectile dysfunction as an adult. The foreskin tends to enlarge over time, so a larger penis will make erections more possible.
Circumcision has its drawbacks, however. It doesn’t prevent recurring infections in the glans which are responsible for most cases bacterial infection in males. Excessive bleeding and scarring can result from surgical wounds. Additionally, most males prefer to not have their foreskin exposed, especially to children who might accidentally touch them. Some parents choose to use a laser method for older children.
The United States has very high rates for infant male circumcision. It is thought to be a contributing factor to the higher rate of genital problems among adults. The same virus that causes vaginal problems in women can also cause male genital warfare. However, it has been found that in male children, the HPV spreads more easily through anal intercourse. In this instance, the medical benefits of removing the male genital wart outweigh the risks.
Local anesthesia or general can be used for circumcision. General anesthesia makes the penis more sensitive, making it easier for you to cut and heal after the operation. Local anesthesia makes your penis sensitive, making it harder to cut during the healing process. However, this is not enough for warts to develop. Both techniques have minimal risks. However it is up to the parents to decide whether or not you want your baby’s penis to be cut under anesthesia.