Circumcision: Good or Bad?

A recent debate in the health industry is all about circumcision. Circumcision has increasingly become a health issue. The health industries are conducting surveys and studies to weigh out the pros and cons of circumcision. Recent findings show that circumcision has become quite a controversial procedure. In medical term, evidence after evidence proves that circumcision is a healthy procedure. However, some do it for religious reasons.

The current controversial that is going around is that circumcision is being called child abuse. This is only because most parents circumcise their kids before they are old enough to decide for themselves. The opponents of circumcision are calling the procedure needless and pointless. Some even argue that circumcision is compared to female genital mutilation.

Many health industries and medical boards are weighing in whether boys or men of all ages should get it snipped. The purpose of is exclusively to provide parents, doctors and individuals with a guide on circumcision. In has been reported that the American Academy of Pediatrics is mulling over whether it should revise its policy on circumcision, adopted in 1999. The policy states, “Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision.”

Over the past 10 years, many studies has been conducted on the impact of circumcision towards HIV and STDs. Most studies came up with advantages of circumcision instead of disadvantages. A study conducted in Africa proved that circumcision indeed has many advantages. The study proved that African men who were circumcised have less risk of contracting HIV from an infected female partner. The risk was lower by 50 to 60 percent.

The study also proved that these circumcised men have a lower risk of catching STDs such as herpes and Human Papiloma Virus. The female partners of circumcised men also have less risks of contracting bacterial infections and Human Papiloma Virus.

As for babies, circumcision is beneficial. Studies around the world proved that babies who were circumcised had a reduced risk of contracting urinary tract infection within the first year of birth. Other health benefits of circumcision include the fact that many experts believe that it reduces chances of contracting penile cancer. It also reduces the chances of males experiencing a condition called ‘phimosis’. This is a condition where the foreskin retracts painfully.

Although the debate of circumcision is still at heat, most experts continue to support that it is indeed a needed and beneficial procedure. Circumcision is less risky when it is done on newborns than older children or adults. The complications at stake include bleeding and minor infections. However, these are all curable and minor issues compared to diseases such as STDs and HIV. There has been complaints buy those opposing circumcision that it takes a toll on men’s sex lives. Scientifically, this is untrue. No studies to date have proved that circumcision impacts the sexual satisfaction of men’s lives or even cause sexual dysfunction.

Circumcision has many medical benefits. However, the only debate is the ethics involved. Weighing out the currents finding in studies, it looks like circumcision is a good thing. It is not a wrong decision. However, parents must weigh out the risks and benefits on their own. It may also be wise to allow your child to make the decision when he s old enough to understand. It is also important to remember that circumcision does not completely prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Everyone must practice safe sex.

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