Will you circumcise your son? (Circumcision) - Shall we talk about this?

If you had a baby boy, and you were told that there was a low-cost, safe, one-time 'vaccine' that would provide him with significant lifelong protection against sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS, cancer, and various other infections, would you give it to him? There really is such a thing. That's what we call neonatal circumcision.

What exactly is circumcision ?

Simply put, circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin , the extra skin on the tip of a boy's penis. It has been practiced for thousands of years in various cultures and religions around the world. Recent medical research has also found that it has many health benefits. It was first practiced by the Egyptians in ancient times. The reason for this was that sand accumulated under the foreskin of the penis, causing itching and infection. Later, Jews and Muslims accepted it as a major religious practice.

What are the health benefits of this?

Research conducted over the past decade has shown the benefits of circumcision . Let's look at each of them one by one.

• Protection from HIV : Large studies have shown that circumcised men are about 50% less likely to contract HIV than uncircumcised men. This is so effective that the World Health Organization (WHO) has even recommended circumcision as a method of preventing HIV. This is because the foreskin contains more cells that can easily be penetrated by the HIV virus, and the skin can easily become thin and cracked .

• Protection from other sexually transmitted diseases : This also reduces the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and chlamydia, especially chlamydia, which can even cause infertility among young people.

• Reduced cancer risk : The risk of contracting HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which causes cervical cancer , is reduced by about three times for partners of circumcised men. Also, circumcision almost completely eliminates the risk of penile cancer.

• Reduced risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs): Circumcised newborns are about ten times less likely to develop urinary tract infections (UTIs). The baby is protected from conditions such as high fever that come with urinary tract infections.

Let's talk about the risks and pain of circumcision .

As with any surgery, there are some risks involved, but they are very low . In the past, this was sometimes done without giving any numbing medicine. The baby would cry for a few seconds and then go back to sleep. But now, it is common to give the area a numbing medicine (`anesthetic cream` or `injection`) before the surgery . So the baby doesn't feel any pain. Most of the time, babies are sound asleep while it's being done. Other risks include a little bleeding after the surgery, or a small infection, which can happen to about one in 100 babies. But these are very easily treatable . Serious damage to the penis is very rare. In fact, circumcision is one of the safest surgeries in the world.

Advantages and disadvantages at a glance

To make it easier to make a decision, let's look at the pros and cons of this in a table.

Does it affect sexual pleasure?

This is a question that many people ask. Some say that circumcision reduces sexual pleasure. But it is difficult to prove this, because it is impossible to say how a circumcised man would feel if he had a foreskin. However, studies have shown that it has no effect on sexual pleasure . When men who were circumcised as adults were asked about their opinions, they said that their sex life had not changed at all.

How do you make a decision as a parent?

Ultimately, this decision is up to you. It depends on your personal, cultural, and family beliefs. Some parents feel that it is not worth the pain for their child. Others feel that it is worth it for the health benefits in the future. Consider that about 7% of boys who are not circumcised at birth will later have to undergo this surgery due to infections or painful conditions in the foreskin. Then it can be a bit complicated. They can answer your questions, explain the pros and cons to you, and help you make the best decision for you. This is not a decision you should make alone. Circumcision, male child, child health, surgery, HIV, sexually transmitted diseases