Benefits of Circumcision

“The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that circumcision has potential medical benefits and advantages, as well as risks. Evaluation of current evidence indicates that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks and that the procedure’s benefits justify access to this procedure for families who choose it, however, existing scientific evidence is not sufficient to recommend routine circumcision”

–American Academy of Pediatrics Statement 21 November 2015

Circumcision is a great way to protect yourself or your baby son throughout life. In the United States, the national health guidelines shifted towards a conclusion that the benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks. The key medical benefit is the reduced risk of the following unpleasant or life-limiting illnesses:

Urinary tract infections (UTI)
Simple UTIs can make you feel unwell however if they ascend to the kidneys, you can become seriously unwell and cause sepsis, the treatment for which involves hospital admission. While UTIs are more common in females than in males due the female’s shorter urethral tract, they do occur in 2% of boys and unfortunately many people don’t realise that if these are missed, permanent damage to the urinary tract and kidneys can result. Studies have consistently shown an increased risk of UTI in uncircumcised males, with the greatest risk in infants younger than 1 year of age. A review of nine studies reported that the increased risk was 12-fold.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, Clinical Pediatrics (USA)

Balanitis
This painful, often recurring, swelling of the glans which can impede or prevent urination, can be completely avoided by circumcision.

HIV/AIDS
We know that the best way to avoid these life-limiting conditions is to have one trusted and infection-free sexual partner, but circumcision does offer some measure of protection. The World Health Organisation has said that circumcision should be added to the current interventions to reduce the spread of HIV.

Sources: BBC news, British Medical Journal

STIs (other than HIV)
There is strong evidence that circumcision reduces the risk of acquiring syphilis and herpes simplex ulcers. Some trials in Africa have also suggested that circumcision protects against Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.

Soruce: Sexually Transmitted Infections Journal (BMJ)

Cancer of the penis
Future-proof your health or that of your baby son with circumcision; cancer of the penis is rare (about 1 in 600 uncircumcised males according to one study) – but is almost unheard of in circumcised men.

Phimosis
Circumcision is the only definitive treatment for tight foreskin (prepuce) and frenulum problems.

The benefits extend to your partner too

A circumcised penis is much easier to keep clean and almost odour-free. Additionally, it will benefit your lady’s health. Cancer of the cervix in women is due to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which thrives under and on the foreskin, and can be transmitted during intercourse. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that male circumcision is associated with reduced risk of HPV infection and reduced risk of cervical cancer in their female partners.

Source: New England Journal of Medicine

Circumcision will allow you to enjoy all these health benefits for life – and the life of your partner.