Reasons for Male Circumcision

Circumcision is the surgical removal of part or all of the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis. The foreskin has a number of functions. It protects the glans from general wear and tear and from irritation when the baby is incontinent. It provides lubrication and it contains erogenous tissue, that is, it contributes to sexual arousal.

Male circumcisions are performed all over the world. There is currently a lot of debate about circumcision in the U.S. and whether it should be carried out routinely on baby boys.

Male circumcisions are carried out for a number of reasons; social, cultural, religious and more rarely, for medical reasons. Circumcision is common within the Jewish and Islamic faith communities. Worldwide circumcisions are carried out by people ranging from surgeons, religious leaders, to tribal healers.

In the U.S., the rate of circumcision is coming down according to the most recent statistical data on circumcision published in 1999. Circumcision used to be higher for white infants. Now, black and white rates are about the same according to data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey. Hispanics, in general, do not routinely have circumcisions carried out on their newborn children.

Because the reasons and circumstances vary, it is difficult to accurately estimate the total number of cases of circumcisions. The United States has one of the highest rates of male circumcision with over 60 percent of newborn males born in a hospital having one. This is down from the rate of 85 percent recorded in the 1970s. Over 1.25 million infants are circumcised annually; that’s more than 3,300 babies each day.

Australia circumcises 15 percent of its male population, Canada 48 percent and the U.K. about 24 percent. Circumcision is uncommon in Asia, South America, Central America and most of Europe, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Norway, Denmark, and Sweden have very low circumcision rates.

Medical opinion varies considerably on the issue of when and whether circumcision should be carried out. The American Academy of Pediatrics, in their most recent reaffirmation of their Circumcision Policy Statement 2006, states:

"Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision."

Medical circumcisions are also carried out on adults but tend to be done only if conditions such as balanitis or phimosis are not responding to other medical treatments.

Male circumcision has often been carried out for reasons of hygiene. It is known that men who have had a circumcision seem to contract fewer urinary tract infections.

Circumcision does offer some defense against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.

There is also evidence that circumcised men have a lower rate of penile cancer, a very rare form of cancer. Research is unclear about whether circumcision reduces the risk of cervical cancer in female sexual partners.

There is no right or wrong answer and the decision to circumcise really seems to depend on parents making an informed choice. If you are undecided, you may find the following policy statement helpful.

A policy statement on circumcision by the American Academy of Pediatrics was issued in March 1999 The policy states:

"Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision. In circumstances in which there are potential benefits and risks, yet the procedure is not essential to the child's current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision. If a decision for circumcision is made, procedural analgesia should be provided."