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Team Foreskin!
- Dec 19, 2008 at 10:47 PM
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Get the Facts
The following cultural beliefs, or myths, are often used as reasons for circumcision. After each myth, some relevant facts are provided to present a more accurate picture of this procedure. Parents should understand the full implications of circumcision before making this irreversible decision for their child.
Myth #1: Circumcision is recommended by doctors and medical organizations
Fact: Circumcision is not recommended by any national medical association in the world. Fifteen national and international medical associations have extensively studied infant circumcision and its effects and found no significant evidence to support this practice. In March 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concluded that infant circumcision is not recommended as a routine procedure.1 The circumcision policy statements of the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Family Physicians have concurred with this position.2-3 The AMA calls infant circumcision "non-therapeutic."
Myth #2: It's just a little piece of skin, he won't miss it.
Fact: The prepuce (foreskin) makes up as much as half of the skin system of the penis.4 It is an extension of the shaft skin that folds over onto itself, completely covering and protecting the glans (an internal organ) and provides the mobility of the shaft skin necessary for frictionless intercourse and masturbation. The foreskin has three known functions: protective, immunological, and sexual. It contains about 10,000 highly specialized nerve endings and several feet of blood vessels. An adult male foreskin, if unfolded and spread out, would be about the size of index card (3 x 5 inches), much more than a "little piece of skin." Many sexually active men circumcised in adulthood report a significant decrease in sexual pleasure and comfort because of the loss of sensitive nerve endings, skin mobility and natural lubrication.
Myth #3: The care of a circumcised penis is easier than an intact penis.
Fact: For the care of an intact penis, the AAP recommends, "Leave it alone." 5 No special care is required - an intact child should have the external surface of his penis (and the rest of his body) washed regularly to keep clean. When a male is older and can retract his foreskin (which typically occurs by puberty), a simple rinsing is all that is necessary. 6 Other cultural myths about special cleaning procedures are just that - myth.
Myth #4: Circumcision protects males from urinary tract infections.
Fact: Overall, urinary tract infections (UTI) occur at about the same rate in male and female infants during the first six months of life.7 Regardless of circumcision status, infants who present with their first UTI at 6 months (or less) are likely to have an underlying genitouninary abnormality. In children with a normal underlying anatomy, a study found as many circumcised infants with a UTI as those who retained their foreskin.8 The appropriate treatment for UTI, in males as well as females, is antibiotics, not prophylactic excision of the prepuce. According to the AAP, "Urinary tract infections are usually not life threatening and are easily treated in most cases." Breastfeeding provides some measure of protection against UTI during the first six months of life.9
Myth #5: Circumcision is effective in the prevention of penile cancer.
Fact: "The American Cancer Society does not consider routine circumcision to be a valid or effective measure to prevent such cancers... Penile cancer is an extremely rare condition, affecting one in 200,000 men... Perpetrating the mistaken belief that circumcision prevents cancer is inappropriate.'' 10
The American Medical Association, in a July 2000 report, states, "... because this disease [penile cancer] is rare and occurs later in life, the use of circumcision as a preventive practice is not justified." 2
Myth #6: Almost everyone is circumcised...I don't want my son to be teased in the locker room.
Fact: The circumcision rate for males worldwide is about 15%. Even in the US, the only country that circumcises a majority of its male newborns for non-religious reasons, the circumcision rate is decreasing. According the National Center for Health Statistics, the US circumcision rate is approximately 60% (varies widely by region) and slowly decreasing. According to many intact males, the "teasing" concern is vastly overstated. For many boys, genital status is neither an important issue nor one that is discussed. In the unlikely event of concerns later in life, at least the person can make his own decision about an irreversible body alteration that has no medical justification.
Myth #7: Circumcision is a simple and painless procedure... it only takes a few minutes.
Fact: While circumcision is a relatively quick procedure, it is extremely painful for the infant. The initial part of the process involves a forced separation of the foreskin, which is fused to the glans (head) in much the same way as a fingernail is joined to the finger. The AAP says the following about EMLA cream, one of the most common pain relief methods, "The analgesic effect is limited during the phases associated with extensive tissue trauma..." 1 Although they cannot remember the pain as adults, circumcised male infants have increased pain response in vaccinations 4 to 6 months later.11 Circumcision appears to lower the pain threshold.
Myth #8: Circumcision makes the penis cleaner and more hygienic.
Fact: Circumcision removes the protective portion of mobile shaft skin, which is intended to cover the glans (head) of the penis. The glans is the internal portion of genitalia (for both genders). Circumcision artificially exposes and denudes this highly sensitive tissue, resulting in a buildup of keratin and a dry, densensitized part of the penis. And contrary to popular myth, more sensation does not lead tp control problems. Based on reports from men circumcised as adults, just the opposite is true. With more sensation, a man has better feedback and can better determine his proximity to the "orgasmic threshold."
Myth #9: Circumcision prevents AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Fact: Some studies show that circumcision has a slight preventive effect for AIDS and some STDs; however, other studies show an insignificant or opposite effect, especially for chlamydia. The bottom line: sexual practices have a much greater effect on the chance of becoming infected than circumcision status. If someone acts on the misconception that circumcision alone will protect them, they are taking unwise chances.
Myth #10: The history of non-religious circumcision is based on disease prevention.
Fact: Non-ritual circumcision evolved from a misunderstanding of bodily function by physicians of the late-19th century.12 Many doctors of that era believed that a normal foreskin could cause disease and lead to increased incidence of "self-abuse." John Harvey Kellogg, of cereal fame, was a proponent of genital cutting as a cure for this "horrible practice." He recommended performing circumcision "without administering an anesthetic, as the pain attending the operation will have a salutary [health-giving] effect upon the mind, especially if connected with the idea of punishment."
This fact sheet is a presentation of the Pennsylvania chapter of NOCIRC (National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers).
References:
1. American Academy of Pediatrics, Circumcision Policy Statement - March 1, 1999
2. American Medical Association, Report 10 of the Council on Scientific Affairs (I-99), July 6, 2000
3. American Academy of Family Physicians, Position Paper on Neonatal Circumcision, February 14, 2002
4. Cold CJ, Taylor J. The prepuce. BJU Int 1999; 83:34-44
5. American Academy of Pediatrics pamphlet. Newborns: Care of the Uncircumcised Penis - Guidelines for Parents. 1990
6. CIRP: Normal development of the prepuce: Birth through age 18. www.cirp.org/library/normal/
7. Marild S, Jodal U. Incidence rate of symptomatic urinary tract infection in children under 6 years of age. Acta Paediatrica 1998;87:549-52
8. Mueller E, Steinhardt G, Naseer S. The Incidence of Genitourinary Abnormalities in Circumcised and Uncircumcised Boys Presenting with an Initial Urinary Tract Infection by 6 Months of Age. Pediatrics 1997;100(supplement):580
9. Pisacane A, Graziano L, Mazzarella G, Scarpellino B, Zona G. Breast-feeding and urinary tract infection. Pediatrics 1992;120:87-89
10. Letter from the American Cancer Society (National Home Office) to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 16 Feb 1996
11. Taddio A, Katz J, Ilersich A, Koren G. Effect of Neonatal Circumcision on Pain Response During Subsequent Routine Vaccination. Lancet 1997;349:599-603.
12. Gollaher D. Circumcision: A History of the World's Most Controversial Surgery, New York, Basic Books, 2000
Comments:
Sure I will explain. It's apparent that you don't understand what I am trying to inform about. But I will explain myself. It is really no one's business, not even a mother's. It's the boy's penis, but since a baby can't talk, people that support keeping a baby whole and intact, become the voice for the baby. I don't need to be the spokeswoman for circumcision for you, you already violated your son's body. I'm trying to reach out to people that would take this information and make the choice not to take a functioning body part off of a child who can't tell you if they want it cut off or not.
I'm sorry, but that word "intact" is laughable. I love the way that people who are against circumcision have found a nice, pretty word to describe uncircumcised penises.
My son is intact. He's a whole, healthy kid. He's circumcised and to this day, I don't think he really gives a damn. I've explained to him (as much as one can explain to a 6 year old) about his penis, foreskin ( or lack thereof), how to take care of it, etc. As a matter of fact, I don't know of any men who are raging on about being circumcised.
Violated my son's body. lol I'm sorry, that is just hilarious. I can say that my body was violated when I was pregnant, what with all of the nutrients and blood he siphoned while in utero. Sounds crazy, right?
As for functioning, I don't know of any circumcised men that are NOT functioning. What exactly do you mean? Or is that in the anti-circ handbook of quips?
Just as you believe that people become the voice of the baby that cannot talk, I became the voice of my son, who could not talk. I chose to vaccinate him. I chose to circumcise him. I chose to get pregnant with him! I have not regretted it. My son is healthy and happy with a functioning penis. He gives a damn about Thomas the Tank Engine and Cars the movie, and about how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches he can scarf down. He is not lamenting the loss of his foreskin.
But hey, everyone needs a cause...mine is non-gender specificities...
lafogosa I agree with you 100%.
Intact is the perfect way to describe someone with all the body parts they were born with. Explain to me how something can be UNcircumcised? That word doesn't make sense to ME. He is 6. When he gets out from under your thumb, maybe he might actually be pissed that you violated his body. I know there ARE men out there that are pissed. So don't count your chickens before they are hatched. By functioning I mean the FUNCTION of a FORESKIN. Look it up if you must. But like I said, I'm not here for you, I'm here for the women who actually CARE that the child should have a right to say what is done with his penis. NOT the mother.
Wise1, we seem to have a lot in common. However, I think this will be an issue that will remain a touchy amongst SOME people....
Lafogosa - I'm with you 100%!
By the way, my son's hair is no longer "intact".. *gasp*! I had it cut. In fact, I've even cut it myself. Multiple times! I hope he doesn't feel "violated". I believe a young man should have short hair, but you know.. maybe he'll resent that when he's older. Guess I'll take my chances!
Honestly, I don't get why anti-circs get so stinkin' worked up over OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS!! Why isn't it enough for you to make a decision for your child? Leave everyone else alone.. you are not their mother. I am so sick of all these stupid "causes" - just a reason to meddle in others peoples' business!
Well said, lafogosa! I also agree with you 100%!
And sorry, but men can definitely be UNcircumcised. It simply means that they're not circumcised, simple as that.
Here are some very common myths regarding circumcision as well.
http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1324151/Common_lies_about_circumcision_Part_1
http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1324159/Common_lies_about_Circumcision_part_2
http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1324171/Common_lies_about_Circumcision_part_3
BTW... "team foreskin"??? Sorry... that's just plain creepy.
Sharon
I'm sorry but cutting someone's hair is not even in the same realm as circumcision. And NO SOMETHING CAN'T BE UUUUUUNNNNNNNcircumcised. They are NOT circumcised. You can't REDO a circumcision. IT'S FOR LIFE! And I'M SORRY but cutting off a babies body part is PLAIN CREEPY to me. Whatever you guys have to tell yourself I guess.....
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Can someone explain why my son's penis is someone else's business?
- lafogosa
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