Skip to main content

The Pros and Cons of Circumcising Your Baby Boy

3 min read

By Emily Lockhart

To circumcise or not circumcise your newborn son will be the first major health decision you’ll make on his behalf, a decision that will affect him well into adulthood.

Until the 1970s, it was customary to circumcise most male babies born in North American. In fact; approximately 90-percent of all boy babies underwent the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis during the first 10 days of life.  However, aside from those who demanded it for religious reasons (i.e., Jewish and Islamic faiths), or due to certain diseases (i.e., balanitis, phimosis and paraphimosis), circumcision isn’t backed by any solid medical reasoning.

Today, circumcision numbers have dropped to 60-percent of male babies. So regardless of your religious, social, compassionate, and health questions surrounding the procedure, we believe that parents should be aware of both the health benefits and negatives surrounding circumcision so they can determine the best choice for their baby boy.

Here are the pros and cons of circumcising your male baby…

Pro 1: Circumcision Reduces the Risk of STDs

Studies show that circumcised males have a lower incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. In certain cases, circumcision may reduce HIV transmission by offering an additional line of defense against STD contraction.


Pro 2: Decreased Incidence of UTIs

Circumcision may offer a minor decrease the incidence of urinary tract infections. In fact, UTIs are about 10 times more likely in uncircumcised males compared to circumcised male babies during their first year of life.


Pro 3: Circumcision and Sexual Sensation

Many parents believe that leaving a male uncircumcised may or may hinder sexual pleasure in adulthood. However, the Mayo Clinic suggests that circumcision neither increases nor reduces feeling at the tip of the penis.


Pro 4: Hygienic Issues

Circumcision is thought of by many parents as the hygienic choice, with fewer incidences of problems like meatitis (the bacterial inflammation and irritation at the opening of the penis) in circumcised males. But even though it’s easier to keep a circumcised penis clean; males that wash beneath the retractable foreskin properly usually suffer no issues when it comes to hygiene.


Pro 5: Circumcision Offers Protection from Certain Types of Cancer

Medical research shows that circumcision offers some protection from certain types of cancer. For instance, circumcision reduces certain forms of penile cancer if HPV becomes trapped under a tight foreskin.  Being snipped can also reduce the risk of cervical cancer in their female sexual partners.


Con 1: Circumcision as Mutilation

Circumcision is often viewed as a form of cruel and unnecessary mutilation to the male body. Arguably, medical experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics, don’t deem circumcision imperative for the health of your child so many parents question why they would put a child through the potential trauma and pain.


Con 2: Surgical Complications

Even though circumcision surgery is relatively safe, in rare cases, the surgery may cause health complications. For instance, if the foreskin is cut too long (excessive skin removal) or too short, bleeding and infection can occur, along with the need for subsequent corrective surgery.


Con 3: Post-Op Complications

Following the circumcision surgery, the tip of the penis typically takes about 10 days to fully heal. You may notice swelling, redness, and even traces of blood on your baby’s diaper.  If the tip of the penis emits a yellow discharge more than 10 days following surgery, consult your pediatrician concerning infection immediately.

 

Emily Lockhart

Contributor

Emily Lockhart is a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer. She believes that being healthy is a lifestyle choice, not a punishment or temporary fix to attain a desired fitness or body image goal. Anna helps her clients take responsibility for their own health and wellness through her classes and articles on ActiveBeat.

Children

Explore

Parenting With ADHD: 7 Practical Tips For Success
By Joanne Park, André Plamondon, and Sheri Madigan Children

Parenting With ADHD: 7 Practical Tips For Success

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often goes undiagnosed in adults — including parents — but it has a significant impact on family life. A parent with ADHD may struggle with time management and staying focused. They may appear to be in control, but their daily life can be chaotic with missed appointments, trouble remembering and enforcing rules […]

Read More about Parenting With ADHD: 7 Practical Tips For Success

5 min read

Screen Time Is Contributing to Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Tweens and Teens — A Pediatric Sleep Expert Explains How Critical Sleep Is to Kids’ Mental Health
By Maida Lynn Chen Children

Screen Time Is Contributing to Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Tweens and Teens — A Pediatric Sleep Expert Explains How Critical Sleep Is to Kids’ Mental Health

With the start of a new school year comes the inevitable battle to get kids back into a healthy bedtime routine. In many cases, this likely means resetting boundaries on screen use, especially late in the evenings. But imposing and enforcing those rules can be easier said than done. A growing body of research is […]

Read More about Screen Time Is Contributing to Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Tweens and Teens — A Pediatric Sleep Expert Explains How Critical Sleep Is to Kids’ Mental Health

5 min read

Positive Parenting Can Help Protect Against the Effects of Stress in Childhood and Adolescence, New Study Shows
By Jamie Hanson and Isabella Kahhalé Children

Positive Parenting Can Help Protect Against the Effects of Stress in Childhood and Adolescence, New Study Shows

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Warm and supportive parenting may buffer against the effects of stress during childhood and adolescence. That is the key takeaway of our recent study, published in the journal PNAS Nexus. Some children and adolescents who experience stressful events such as physical […]

Read More about Positive Parenting Can Help Protect Against the Effects of Stress in Childhood and Adolescence, New Study Shows

3 min read