Months before Victoria Cavanagh’s* son was born, she and her husband began debating whether or not to have him circumcised. In the end they went ahead with it to, in their opinion, decrease his risk of future infections and so he would look like his dad. But when son number 2 arrived six years later, Cavanagh’s thinking had changed. She regretted “mutilating” her first son and feels guilty for the pain he went through. Cavanagh hopes that he will not suffer from desensitivity in the future. To circumcise or not to circumcise – it is often a difficult choice.
For some people, the circumcision decision is an easy one because of ethnic or religious reasons. But many others struggle with the decision. The choice is usually made based on parent preference, cultural attitude, cost, family traditions, gut feelings, and social pressures, among other reasons. Medical information rarely plays a role in the decision making process as there is so much contradictory material on the pros and cons of circumcising.
During the circumcision procedure, the fold of skin that covers the end of the penis, commonly called the foreskin, is removed. Until recently it was believed that the foreskin is like an appendix and serves no function. It is now known that the foreskin protects the end of the penis and the piece that is removed during circumcision contains millions of cells and a great deal of sensory nerve endings and tissue. Foreskin removal, it is now thought, may lead to a decrease in sexual pleasure in future years.
Circumcision Rates
Rates of circumcision for living males by country:
- U.S. – 79%
- U.K. – 16%
- Canada – 50%
- Australia – 49%
- Sub-Saharan Africa – 62%
- Philippines – 93%
- South Korea – 90-95%
- Thailand – 13%
- China – 18%
- Taiwan – 9%
- Spain – 2%
- Finland – 7%
- Denmark – 1.6%
- Brazil & Columbia – 7%
- Rio de Janeiro – 13%
Risks of Circumcision
As with any surgical procedure, there are some potential negative side effects. Circumcision risks include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Anaesthetic complications
- Scarring
- Pain. Medication, if the baby receives it, is never 100% effective.
- If too much or too little skin is removed, surgery may be needed to correct the situation. Erections can be extremely painful among males who had too much tissue removed during their circumcision.
It is now thought that there may be psychological risks to circumcision including feelings of being violated or mutilated. Foreskin-restoration groups for adults are cropping up in a few areas across Canada, a testament to the potential long-term psychological effects of circumcision and the changing attitudes of the public towards the procedure.
Raquel* and Steve* chose not to circumcise their son when he was born in 2001. “There were more reasons not to circumcise than to circumcise. And since this is no longer the Dark Ages, hygiene wasn’t a huge concern.” They also expressed concerns about removing a perfectly healthy body part of their son’s when he had no say. Raquel shared the story of a friend whose son had the tip of his penis accidentally cut during a circumcision procedure. While Raquel realizes that isn’t common, watching her friend go through the aftermath cemented her decision.
The Canadian Paediatric Society does not recommend routine circumcisions for newborns. They feel the benefits and harms of circumcision are so evenly balanced that they do not support recommending circumcision as a routine procedure for newborns.
Other Circumcision Concerns
Other things to consider when deciding whether or not to circumcise your son include:
- Hygiene – Circumcision gained popularity during an era when bathrooms were not common in homes. With regular proper cleaning, an uncircumcised penis is no less hygienic than a circumcised one.
- Penile cancer – One in one million circumcised men will get penile cancer. Three out of a million uncircumcised men will get this rare form of cancer. But studies indicate that genetics, environment, and penile hygiene may play a bigger role in penile cancer rates than whether someone is circumcised.
- The cost. Most clinics and doctors charge between $100 and $200 to do the procedure.
Alberta Health Care does not cover unnecessary circumcisions. According to Sean Beardow, past Public Affairs Officer with Alberta Health and Wellness, “Routine circumcisions are not covered; they stopped being covered in 1987. However if they are medically required, then they are covered by Alberta Health. So if there is a legitimate reason, no matter if they are a newborn, adult, child, whichever, they can be claimed under Alberta Health.” When asked why circumcisions are no longer covered by Alberta Health Care, Beardow replied, “Because they are just not medically necessary.” Check with your local health care office if you want to know if circumcisions are covered under your health plan.
Joanne*, an Alberta mother of four-year-old Nathan, opted not to circumcise. “To be honest, we didn’t put too much thought into the decision. We knew we didn’t want to put our son through the pain of circumcision.”
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, of every 1,000 boys who are circumcised:
- 20-30 have a surgical complication, such as too much bleeding or infection in the area.
- Two to three will have a more serious complication that needs more treatment. Examples include having too much skin removed or more serious bleeding.
- Two will be admitted to hospital for a urinary tract infection before they are one-year-old.
- About 10 babies may need to have the circumcision done again because of a poor result.
Of every 1,000 boys who are not circumcised:
- Seven will be admitted to hospital for a urinary tract infection before they are one-year-old.
- 10 will have a circumcision later in life for medical reasons.
Consult your doctor for information if you are struggling with whether or not to circumcise your child. He or she should supply you with current information about the benefits and risks of circumcision without pushing you toward a decision.
* Names have been changed to protect the identity of the children due to parental preference.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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