In the Philippines, circumcision has become a coming-of-age ritual for boys. So it's rarely a question of if but when. In many countries across the globe, however, "uncut" men do have a healthy, normal life, and, fulfilling sex life. However, this new research might tip the scales to making circumcision a need rather than a choice -- and could give you insight as to when to have the procedure done.
A new study published in the World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics says having a baby boy circumcised is just as beneficial as having your child vaccinated. They found that uncircumcised men have an 80-percent chance of developing a foreskin-related health problem. On the other hand, the risk of developing an adverse condition due to circumcision is about one in 250 or less than one percent.
Researchers from the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, and other teaching hospitals reviewed data from 140 high-quality studies in Australia from 2005 to 2015. They focused on the risks of circumcision when done during infancy, as well as how well it could prevent a variety of medical conditions such urinary infection, inflammatory conditions, sexually transmitted diseases and genital cancers. They found that the benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks by 200 to one.
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"The enormous benefit but low risk makes early infant circumcision akin to childhood vaccination," study lead author Dr. Brian Morris, professor emeritus at the University of Sydney told News.com.au. The study also found no evidence that circumcision had adverse effects on penile function, sexual sensitivity, or pleasure sensors.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) had similar conclusions after having a multidisciplinary task force evaluate their recommendations on circumcision. According to the AAP's guidelines released in 2012, the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks. The benefits of infant circumcision include prevention of urinary tract infections in the first year of life, penile cancer, and transmission of certain sexually transmitted infection, including HIV, in adults. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) expert opinion is the same.
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The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) cites these conditions as the most important benefits of male infant circumcision in its 2010 position paper. Australian doctors also recognize that the procedure is "generally safe," but there are risks of minor complications and some "rare but serious" complications.
But while there have been several studies that prove its health benefits, the expert opinions do not go as far as recommending the procedure to be routine and mandatory for all male infants. Ultimately, it is still up to the parents to decide whether they want their baby boy to be circumcised. Or they could also opt to wait until their son is old enough to decide for himself.
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