Why is male circumcision so prevalent in the USA and the Philipines?  How can we stop this barbaric practice?
153708
It is a barbaric practice.\n\nAsk a woman if she should be circumcized and the world goes into a tizzy -- as well it should.  Suggest that a boy need not be circumcized and people think you're nuts.  It'll be rationalized as "it is healthier."  If it is appropriate to keep our girls intact, it is then quite appropriate to keep our boys intact too.\n\nThe "health of the child" argument just doesn't fly.  We don't routinely remove the tonsils of children anymore as a preventive measure.  We don't remove the appendix because it might burst.  Removing the foreskin because there might be complications is BS.  C'mon we evolved over millions of years without the practice of removing the foreskin.  You'd think we could make it today without doing so.\n\nIt is absolutely no problem keeping an uncircumcized boy clean and disease free -- just wash them every day.\n\nThe treatment of phimosis where the foreskin won't retract over the glans used to call for circumcision.  However research has shown that topic steroids can painlessly help with this problem. Simple applications of hydrocortizone cream will reduce or prevent the adhesions. (It's working for my son).\n\nSo, here's how you stop it.  Don't let anyone circumsize your boys.  Don't let the doctors convince you that it needs to be done.  If they do it, consider a malpractice suit.  If they insist that it should be done, ask for a second opinion. Even if your inlaws are Jewish, ignore their "wishes" and keep your boys intact.  Unfortunately, it'll take years of people resisting this practice, more education and discussions like this, and enough boys with intact penises so that the circumsized become the odd boys out, not vice versa, and then it'll change.
178380
Adult Circumcision\nJOHN R. HOLMAN, CDR, MC, USN \nMadigan Army Medical Center \nTacoma, Washington \nKEITH A. STUESSI, LT, MC, USNR \nPuget Sound Family Medicine Residency, Naval Hospital \nBremerton, Washington \nAdult circumcision can be performed under local or regional anesthesia. Medical indications for this procedure include phimosis, paraphimosis, recurrent balanitis and posthitis (inflammation of the prepuce). Nonmedical reasons may be social, cultural, personal or religious. The procedure is commonly performed using either the dorsal slit or the sleeve technique. The dorsal slit is especially useful in patients who have phimosis. The sleeve technique may provide better control of bleeding in patients with large subcutaneous veins. A dorsal penile nerve block, with or without a circumferential penile block, provides adequate anesthesia. Informed consent must be obtained. Possible complications of adult circumcision include infection, bleeding, poor cosmetic results and a change in sensation during intercourse. \n\nCircumcision is performed on an estimated one out of six male newborns worldwide.1 Over 60 percent of male newborns were circumcised in the United States in 1992.2 Circumcision in adults is performed much less often; however, accurate statistics are not available. Adult patients often have a medical indication for the procedure, but circumcision may also be done for social or purely personal reasons. Adult circumcision is usually performed in the outpatient setting by urologists. However, family physicians who practice in isolated or rural areas and who are adequately trained may also offer this procedure. All family physicians should be prepared to advise their patients about the indications for adult circumcision and, if necessary, make appropriate referrals for the procedure. \n\nIndications and Contraindications \n\n \nThe most common indications for adult circumcision are phimosis and paraphimosis.  \n \n \nAlthough there are numerous medical indications for adult circumcision, none of them is very common.3 The most frequent indication is phimosis, a tightness of the prepuce that prevents its retraction over the glans.4 A patient may also complain of pain with erection or during intercourse. Paraphimosis, the unreplaceable retraction of a narrow foreskin that causes a painful swelling of the glans, is the second most common indication for adult circumcision. Acute paraphimosis is a urologic emergency requiring reduction of the foreskin through surgical or nonsurgical methods. Recurrent balanitis and posthitis (inflammation of the prepuce), preputial neoplasms, excessive prepuce redundancy and tears in the frenulum are also medical indications for adult circumcision.5 \n\nPatients may have social, religious or personal reasons for requesting a circumcision.6 It is important to explore these reasons with the patient to ensure that he has a thorough understanding of the risks and benefits of circumcision and alternatives to the procedure. \n\nThere are no specific contraindications to adult circumcision in the literature; however, patients with active infection, possible squamous cell carcinoma of the penis or anatomic abnormalities of the external genitalia should be referred for a urologic consultation. \n\nInformed Consent \n\nIt is important to provide the patient with adequate information about the procedure ahead of time. Specifically, the patient should be told about the risks of bleeding, hematoma formation, infection, inadvertent damage to the glans, removal of too much or too little skin, aesthetically unpleasing results and a change of sensation during intercourse. The patient should also be informed that, during the postoperative period, erections can cause pain and disruption of the suture line that may require replacement of the sutures. Full recovery following circumcision generally requires four to six weeks of abstinence from all genital stimulation and sexual activity. \n\n \nFull recover
184487
Circumcision is recommended because it is easier for the man to keep his penis clean.  If it is uncircumcised and not cleaned properly, it can lead to infection.
1169792
Notice that two of the most violence-prone peoples are the Middle-Easterners - Arabs, Jews, Palestanians? They all practice circumcision, which is a totally useless and medically unnecessary act. No one has a right to cut off any piece of my body without my permission. Infants cannot give permission for a useless, unnecessary and potentially dangerous removal of their foreskins.
802457
An estimated 40 million people worldwide are currently infected with HIV. Africa has 10% of the world's population, but more than 65% of the world's HIV burden. Although the last 5 years have been marked by an increased investment in HIV treatment, the evaluation of both new and existing prevention strategies has also been under way. One promising preventive approach that is being investigated is male circumcision.\n\nThe focus on eliminating penile foreskin stems from previous immunologic studies demonstrating that it contains large concentrations of HIV-target cells, such as macrophages, Langerhans, and CD4+ cells.[1] Therefore, it is plausible that the removal of these HIV-target cells could reduce the risk that exposure to the virus would result in transmission. Recently, the first randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial (RCT) to assess this strategy showed a significant reduction in rate of HIV infection.[2] Findings from this trial have raised both hope and concern about use of the procedure.\n\nPast and Present Research\nIn the late 1980s, observational researchers in Africa first noted a reduced prevalence of HIV in ethnic groups whose cultural practices included male circumcision. This was followed by a number of observational studies focused on the possible preventive effects of the practice. However, other researchers and policy-making bodies were skeptical of the quality of these data, and it became apparent that RCTs were needed.\n\nThe initial RCT (ANRS 1265 Trial) was conducted by Auvert and colleagues[2] in a semiurban district near Johannesburg, South Africa, from 2002 to 2004. They enrolled 3274 men; 1617 underwent medical circumcision. All participants received a 20-minute sexually transmitted disease counseling session, and had access to condoms. Participants in the intervention group were asked to be abstinent for 6 weeks following circumcision to allow for adequate wound healing.\n\nThe trial was terminated following interim data analysis because of the overwhelming results: a 60% reduction in HIV infection in the circumcised group (20 new diagnoses in the intervention group vs 45 in the control group). The most common adverse events seen post circumcision were pain (0.8%) and swelling (0.6%). No increases in infection were detected at the first follow-up visit, indicating that the immediate postsurgical effects did not make the circumcised men more vulnerable to HIV.\n\nTwo similar RCTs are under way (in Kenya and Uganda); data from these investigations will help confirm or refute the ANRS findings. In the meantime, there is much to consider about the implications of the ANRS data, including possible effects and potential barriers to the promotion and implementation of male circumcision as a preventive strategy.\n\nConsiderations and Concerns\nOpponents to encouraging widespread male circumcision have a number of concerns, including cultural considerations, the risk for increased infection if sterile circumcision techniques are not used, and the possibility of encouraging increased sexual promiscuity post procedure. With respect to concern about increased sexual promiscuity, data from Auvert and colleagues[2] found an increased number of sexual partners in the circumcised group, despite which, there was still a decrease in HIV incidence compared with the controls. Previous data have demonstrated a false security associated with circumcision, with some men believing that the procedure conferred the ability to safely have sex with multiple partners.[3] Whether the increase in number of sexual partners demonstrated in the ARNS Trial is generalizable requires data from other RCTs.\n\nConcerns about cultural acceptability and feasibility are well founded. Experts have contended that circumcision may be least accepted in communities that need it most (groups in which male circumcision for any reason is currently nonexistent).[4] However, studies of acceptability conducted in Africa have demonstrat
1083212
Hospitals sell them to labs, burn centers, pharmasudical companies, cosmetic industries etc.  There is big demand for them so circumcisions will never go out of style.
826781
Penis cutting 1:01 All men should be circumsized because it looks so gross when its not cut. \n\nhehe
1114439
This mutilation should be stopped the same happens to girls,, mainly in African nations. Its a religious concept to reduce pleasure during sex,, In this day and age people should be allowed to choose what happens to their bodies. Not dictated by some old fashioned ideal. I have experienced both and must admit to preferring a complete male.. Sorry,, I feel really strongly about this, we mutilate our young, what does that say about us?!??!?,,
1155569
Yes. Many Catholics here practice circumcision.
45583
It is a huge myth that an unircumsized penis is less clean. The only way that you are prone to infection is if you do not wash yourself. There is no medical reason to be circumsized. Most people have their boys done now because the father of the baby is or so the boy will "look like other boys." I am a maternity nurse, many parents are researching the pros and cons. And any MD can give you that information. And are you thinking of doing for a partner??? You need to look exactly it entails before you make that decision. A baby can not remember the pain, but could you forget getting the foreskin of your penis cut off without pain med??? Of course not..but yet we do not give babys any anesthesia...just a little added note.
75946
Removal of pubic hair is a cultural thing. It's fairly common in western cultures, but not in Asian cultures.
387189
Circumcision is barbaric. When you are circumcised, you lose up to 70 thousand nerve endings. You also lose a natural protecting cover to the glands of your penis. Over time, proteins build up and de-sensitize your penis to protect it resulting in a leathery feel and appearance. You are left with a scar and tightened skin which can make erections painful.\nMany men who were circumcised at birth - ( they are strapped to a board, the doctor cuts the skin - there is no pain management - and the skin is sold to bio tech companies- It is a BILLION dollar a year industry. The hospitals charge the parents for the "service" - then profit from the spoils) - are now restoring their foreskins. For the better sex and the feeling of intantness. You can go to www.NORM.org for more reason why NOT to do it. \nFact: There is NO valid proven reason why men should be routinely circumcised. Just myth and ignorance.\nWhy would we change something that was designed to be there? Are we really that arrogant/stupid
1125255
Circumcised is less sensitive due to being unprotected by the foreskin, the effect worsens with age.  On the positive side circumcision has been demonstrated in Africa to cut AIDS transmission rates because the virus can't lurk under the foreskin waiting for chance to get in.\n4 Protection against HIV and AIDS. Another British Medical Journal article in May 2000 suggested that circumcised men are 8 times less likely to contract the HIV virus. (It is very important here to say that the risk is still far too high and that condoms and safe sex must be used - this applies also to preventing cancer of the cervix in women who have several partners.)
566533
Gosh where to start. genital mutilation is NOT a Muslim practice.  It may be done by some persons following traditional ways alongside those of being of the Muslim faith. It is also done by some who profess to be Christians.\nAlso talking about *Muslim* practice is nearly as bland a generalisation as talking about Christians - and no one assumes all Christians ban contraception just because the Catholics do.\nThose who immigrate to Europe come from all over the world. Mutilation is largely an African practice, especially in Ethiopia, Somalia, that region- from what I know.  \nIt needs to be stopped, not only in Europe, but also in Africa, and those who struggle with the aftermath - incontinence, huge childbirth problems etc need proper support and care. Please find out more, and if you are in a position so to do - donate money to those working in the field to make a difference.
285299
It depends on which country you are in.  In Europe, circumcised is more common and therefore is more aesthetically acceptable.  In America, un-circumcised is more common.  For pleasure, un-circumcised is better for both the male and female.  In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter though.
388108
Ok, I'm not a male, but being that I have several relatives that are ER nurses, I can tell you there really is no safe way to self circumcise.  The way they do it correctly is they stretch the foreskin over a "bell" and clamp a cutting device over this and tada, it's gone.  You can't get a hold of any anesthetic to numb your genital area, and I can guarantee that it will be very painful if you do it yourself.  Also the chance of blood loss is very high, as is infection.  Go talk to your doctor about having it done or I can almost guarantee that you will end up in the ER with a lot of explaining to do, and you'll be charged with plastic surgery.  Just to let you know the consequences.
1029635
Circumcision is mutilation.  We abhor it being done to girls in Africa, but we practice ritual mutilation on our men every day.  What the hell?