What are the benefits of circumcision?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Dr. Mehmet Oz, Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University, says the rate of circumcision in the U.S. has dropped from 90% to 57% in the last 40 years.
He says there are some reasons that circumcision makes sense -- religious or family traditions, hygiene, and reduced risk of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases and viruses.
There are reasons to not circumcise as well. Some people consider it disfiguring, and doing it will reduce sensation during sex. "In a circumcised male, the bottom part, the underneath part of the penis, is the most sensitive part," Dr. Oz says. "If you've not been circumcised, about half of the erogenous tissue on the penis is actually that foreskin area. Plus, the foreskin covers over the glans -- that front part, and that's the most sensitive part of the penis. It doesn't get rubbed on, so it stays a little bit more preserved for when the foreskin eventually does pull back during intercourse."
The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't take a position on circumcision. "They say it's up to you," Dr. Oz says.
For boys who haven't been circumcised, it is important to learn the proper way to clean themselves. Uncircumcised boys are 10 times more likely to get an infection than those who are circumcised, Dr. Oz says.
To do it correctly, "You pull the skin back, and you can actually get under here and clean this corner out. Now these edges are where something called smegma resides, and that stuff can get pretty nasty if you don't clean it up," Dr. Oz says. "But here's the bigger issue: Most guys who are uncircumcised have the foreskin leading off. This touches the pants, and it gets scarred after a while. It can get pretty taut. Sometimes it goes over the tip of the penis and squeezes down on it, and that can actually strangle the tip of the penis. That's called a phimosis. When we see it, that's an emergency."Dr. Mehmet Oz, Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University, says the rate of circumcision in the U.S. has dropped from 90% to 57% in the last 40 years. He says there are some reasons that circumcision makes sense -- religious or... More -
Dr. Madeleine Castellanos MD of Good In Bed answered:Although circumcision -- removal of a man's foreskin, typically during infancy -- is rooted in cultural tradition (primarily Muslim and Jewish religions), some parents choose to circumcise their sons because they believe it's "cleaner" or protects against sexually transmitted diseases and health problems.
Circumcision is currently a very controversial issue: Critics argue that circumcision is painful, may have psychological or emotional consequences, and dulls a man's sexual sensation by removing the foreskin, which is rich with nerve endings. While evidence is mixed, some studies suggest that circumcision may reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, penile cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases including human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Other research shows no such benefits.Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulAlthough circumcision -- removal of a man's foreskin, typically during infancy -- is rooted in cultural tradition (primarily Muslim and Jewish religions), some parents choose to circumcise their sons because they believe it's "cleaner" or... More -
Dr. Harry Fisch answered:The most dramatic benefit of circumcision is that circumcised men have a much-reduced risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from women, which is a significant factor in countries with a high general prevalence of HIV. (Whether circumcision reduces HIV transmission between men is still an open question.)
In addition, a recent study found that circumcision reduced the risk of genital herpes by 28 percent and the risk of human papilloma virus (HPV) by 35 percent. Other studies have shown that circumcision reduces the risk of penile cancer. Finally, removing the foreskin also allows men to avoid medical problems of the foreskin, the most common of which is phimosis, the inability of the foreskin to retract from the head of the penis. This can be a painful condition that can interfere with both sexuality and fertility.
Why removing the foreskin can help prevent some sexually transmitted diseases is still not certain, but is probably due to the fact that the inner foreskin is thinner and more permeable than the outer skin of both the foreskin and the penis itself. In addition, the inner foreskin's relative fragility means men may get small cuts or abrasions there, which would increase the chances of blood-to-blood transfer of diseases.
Circumcision has only been shown to reduce a few sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), however. It doesn't protect against diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, or herpes simplex virus type 2. In no way should circumcision be seen as providing the kind of protection from STDs that a latex condom confers: condoms are the best protection against such diseases, whether you are circumcised or not.The most dramatic benefit of circumcision is that circumcised men have a much-reduced risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from women, which is a significant factor in countries with a high general prevalence of HIV. (Whether... More -
Dr. Jennifer Droz of Swedish answered:Literature suggests that possible medical benefits of circumcision include:
- Prevention of phimosis (inability to retract the foreskin at a later age when it should be able to draw back from the end of the penis)
- Reduction in the incidence of urinary-tract infections
- Reduction in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases
- Reduction in the risk for cancer of the cervix in future sexual partners
- Reduction in the risk for cancer of the penis, a rare form of the disease (10 cases per year in one million American men)
Literature suggests that possible medical benefits of circumcision include: Prevention of phimosis (inability to retract the foreskin at a later age when it should be able to draw back from the end of the penis) Reduction in the incidence of... More -
Dr. Douglas B. Nielsen of Intermountain Healthcare answered:Potential benefits of circumcision are:
- Reduced risk for bladder infection in the 1st year of life. The risk is 1 in 1,000 for circumcised boys, and 1 in 100 for boys who are not circumcised.
- Slightly reduced risk of developing cancer of the penis. 1 out of 1,000,000 circumcised men will develop cancer of the penis. This may be slightly more common in males who are not circumcised
who do not practice good hygiene. - Slightly reduced risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), possibly including HIV. However, behavioral factors are far more important in preventing these diseases than the presence or absence of a foreskin.
- Easier genital hygiene and prevention of infection under the foreskin. However, boys who are not circumcised can learn how to clean beneath the foreskin.
Potential benefits of circumcision are: Reduced risk for bladder infection in the 1st year of life. The risk is 1 in 1,000 for circumcised boys, and 1 in 100 for boys who are not circumcised. Slightly reduced risk of developing cancer of the... More
