Found some info. on the subject and thought I'd put it out there...
1. Many older men, who have bladder or prostate gland problems, also develop difficulties with their foreskins due to their surgeon's handling, cleaning, and using instruments. Some of these patients will need circumcising. Afterwards it is often astonishing to find some who have never ever seen their glans (knob) exposed before!
2. Some older men develop cancer of the penis - about 1 in 1000 - fairly rare, but tragic if you or your son are in that small statistic. Infant circumcision gives almost 100%protection, and young adult circumcision also gives a large degree of protection.
3. Cancer of the cervix in women is due to the Human Papilloma Virus. It thrives under and on the foreskin from where it can be transmitted during intercourse. An article in the British Medical Journal in April 2002 suggested that at least 20% of cancer of the cervix would be avoided if all men were circumcised.
4. 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.)
5. Lots of men, and their partners, prefer the appearance of their penis after circumcision, It is odour-free, it feels cleaner, and they enjoy better sex. Awareness of a good body image is a very important factor in building self confidence.
6. Balanitis is an unpleasant, often recurring, inflammation of the glans. It is quite common and can be prevented by circumcision.
7. Urinary tract infections sometimes occur in babies and can be quite serious. Circumcision in infancy makes it 10 times less likely.
There was more there, but it was mostly trying to convince people that they should do it...I just tried to extrapolate the facts from the trying to convince.
Personally, I chose to have my son circumcised first and foremost because I have been with both an uncircumcised and a circumcised male. I much preferred the look of the circumcised penis and enjoyed sex much more with the circumcised male (this could've been because of the males themselves and have nothing to do with the circumci-zation of them...yes, I made that word up
). I also was constantly getting urinary tract infections when I was with the uncircumcised male. In speaking with my doctor, I found out that no matter HOW often my boyfriend at the time cleaned himself, because there are sweat glands so close within 30-45 minutes there is sweat and bacteria underneath the "hood".
I couldn't understand, if there were any benefits at all, why I shouldn't do it. I thought it would be like saying I shouldn't get his shots because of the pain and swelling of the injection site.
However, these were the reasons for my decision which is what you asked for. You have to make sure that whatever decision YOU make is right for you and your spouse/significant other.
I would like to state though, that there is a VAST difference in female and male circumcision. Female circumcision is not the "removal of an unnecessary portion of the genitals", but instead the removal of the portion of the genitals that provides PLEASURE during sex. I just feel that taking something OFF and taking something OUT are two completely different stories.
there's another argument in itself) and my husband hasn't, personally it looks so much better not done and I feel it must be there for a reason, to protect his bits surely?
blimey thank you! It only confirms to be that boys bits should be left alone! This quote did it for me:
). My husband doesn't want our son(s) to be circumcised, so that's our decision. If our son wants to have it done later in life, that's his decision. It makes sense to me though. I don't want to mangle my child's body, for whatever reasons doctors give. I wouldn't do it to my daughters, so why should I do it to the boys??
