You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
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6Your Summary |
Male
If it is done, circumcision is usually done soon after birth.
If you don't want your baby to be circumcised, he shouldn't be circumcised. Circumcision is a decision you make because you want it for your baby.
Circumcision may not be safe if your baby is sick or weak, has a problem with his penis, or has a family history of bleeding problems.
Some swelling and slight bleeding are normal after circumcision. Your baby may be fussy and have trouble sleeping for the first few days. He may feel some pain for a few days when he urinates. For about 2 weeks, he may feel some pain whenever urine or stool touches the tip of the penis.
Your baby will probably start to feel better within 3 to 4 days after circumcision. Even though he may feel better, his penis may look worse. The penis will usually look better about 7 to 10 days after circumcision.
It's important to keep your son's penis clean whether he has been circumcised or not. Keeping your young son's penis clean may help prevent infections and other problems.
Problems from circumcision aren't common. If they occur, they are usually short-term, such as minor bleeding or infection. Other possible problems include pain and irritation of the tip of the penis.
Long-term problems are even more uncommon, but they can include damage to the opening of the
Circumcision has some health benefits. For example:
Your personal preference, religion, cultural belief, or ethnic background may affect your decision. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks of the surgery. But it's up to you whether you have your baby circumcised.
| Problems that can occur | Circumcised baby boys | Natural baby boys |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary tract infection within first 15 months | None | 2 out of 100 |
| Tightening of the foreskin (phimosis) within first 15 months | None | 3 to 4 out of 100 |
| Heavy bleeding after the procedure | 0 to 30 out of 100 | None |
*Based on the best available evidence for these outcomes (evidence quality:
The quality of the evidence about the benefits of circumcision is not strong. It is
Circumcision also may reduce the risk of phimosis, which happens when the foreskin becomes too tight to be pulled back and causes swelling or other problems. (This can be corrected easily in most cases.)
The quality of the evidence about the risks of circumcision is
One risk of circumcision is that the procedure may cause bleeding heavy enough to require medical care.
Some evidence is better than other evidence. Evidence comes from studies that look at how well treatments and tests work and how safe they are. For many reasons, some studies are more reliable than others. The better the evidence is—the higher its quality—the more we can trust it.
The information shown here is based on the best available evidence.
Another thing to understand is that the evidence can't predict what's going to happen in your case. When evidence tells us that 2 out of 100 people who have a certain test or treatment may have a certain result and that 98 out of 100 may not, there's no way to know if you will be one of the 2 or one of the 98.
Your child was born with a natural penis, and it is fine to keep it that way.
When cleaning your son's natural penis, be careful not to force the foreskin to retract. As your son gets older, teach him how to wash and care for his penis.
There may be reasons later in life when your son may need a circumcision. A boy or man may have problems retracting the foreskin or may have swelling of the foreskin that requires circumcision. But these problems are rare.
Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son can decide on his own later in life if he wants a circumcised penis.
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Some studies have shown that circumcised men are a little less likely than men who have not been circumcised to get or spread a
Any man, especially if he has high-risk sex, can get STIs or HIV. The best way to prevent STIs is to teach people about risk factors and the importance of avoiding high-risk sex.
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
I had my three sons circumcised. None of them ever had a problem from the surgery. I know it hurt, but it didn't last long and they all healed quickly. It was important to me to follow our religious customs.
Robert, age 42
When I was young, my father taught me how to keep my penis clean, and I have never had any problems. Most boys in my gym classes were circumcised, but I never felt that I was strange or different because I wasn't. When my son is born, we will not have him circumcised.
Aidan, age 25
When our son William was born, we didn't have any reason to have him circumcised. We discussed it with our doctor and decided not to have the surgery. When William is older, he can decide for himself if he wants to have the procedure.
Elise, age 49
When our first son was born, we had him circumcised. All the men in my family are circumcised. But the procedure was painful and very stressful for him, so when our second son was born, we decided to leave him uncircumcised. We decided to spare him that pain. Both our sons are healthy and happy. Neither seems to care that their penises do not look exactly alike. I feel we made the right decision.
Jeff, age 29
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to choose circumcision
Reasons to keep my son's penis natural
My religious beliefs make circumcision the best choice for my son.
My religious beliefs are not a factor in my decision.
Most of the men in my family are circumcised, and I want my son to be circumcised like them.
Most of the men in my family are not circumcised, and I want my son to have a natural penis like them.
The risks of surgery for my baby don't bother me.
I'm worried about the risks of surgery and how I would feel if something went wrong.
I'm worried that my son won't fit in when he is older if he isn't circumcised.
Many boys are not circumcised. I'm not worried about my son fitting in.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Choosing circumcision
Keeping my son's penis natural
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
| Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
Male
If it is done, circumcision is usually done soon after birth.
If you don't want your baby to be circumcised, he shouldn't be circumcised. Circumcision is a decision you make because you want it for your baby.
Circumcision may not be safe if your baby is sick or weak, has a problem with his penis, or has a family history of bleeding problems.
Some swelling and slight bleeding are normal after circumcision. Your baby may be fussy and have trouble sleeping for the first few days. He may feel some pain for a few days when he urinates. For about 2 weeks, he may feel some pain whenever urine or stool touches the tip of the penis.
Your baby will probably start to feel better within 3 to 4 days after circumcision. Even though he may feel better, his penis may look worse. The penis will usually look better about 7 to 10 days after circumcision.
It's important to keep your son's penis clean whether he has been circumcised or not. Keeping your young son's penis clean may help prevent infections and other problems.
Problems from circumcision aren't common. If they occur, they are usually short-term, such as minor bleeding or infection. Other possible problems include pain and irritation of the tip of the penis.
Long-term problems are even more uncommon, but they can include damage to the opening of the
Circumcision has some health benefits. For example:
Your personal preference, religion, cultural belief, or ethnic background may affect your decision. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks of the surgery. But it's up to you whether you have your baby circumcised.
| Problems that can occur | Circumcised baby boys | Natural baby boys |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary tract infection within first 15 months | None | 2 out of 100 |
| Tightening of the foreskin (phimosis) within first 15 months | None | 3 to 4 out of 100 |
| Heavy bleeding after the procedure | 0 to 30 out of 100 | None |
*Based on the best available evidence for these outcomes (evidence quality:
The quality of the evidence about the benefits of circumcision is not strong. It is
Circumcision also may reduce the risk of phimosis, which happens when the foreskin becomes too tight to be pulled back and causes swelling or other problems. (This can be corrected easily in most cases.)
The quality of the evidence about the risks of circumcision is
One risk of circumcision is that the procedure may cause bleeding heavy enough to require medical care.
Some evidence is better than other evidence. Evidence comes from studies that look at how well treatments and tests work and how safe they are. For many reasons, some studies are more reliable than others. The better the evidence is—the higher its quality—the more we can trust it.
The information shown here is based on the best available evidence.
Another thing to understand is that the evidence can't predict what's going to happen in your case. When evidence tells us that 2 out of 100 people who have a certain test or treatment may have a certain result and that 98 out of 100 may not, there's no way to know if you will be one of the 2 or one of the 98.
Your child was born with a natural penis, and it is fine to keep it that way.
When cleaning your son's natural penis, be careful not to force the foreskin to retract. As your son gets older, teach him how to wash and care for his penis.
There may be reasons later in life when your son may need a circumcision. A boy or man may have problems retracting the foreskin or may have swelling of the foreskin that requires circumcision. But these problems are rare.
Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son can decide on his own later in life if he wants a circumcised penis.
| Have your son circumcised | Keep your son's penis natural | |
|---|---|---|
| What is usually involved? |
|
|
| What are the benefits? |
|
|
| What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I had my three sons circumcised. None of them ever had a problem from the surgery. I know it hurt, but it didn't last long and they all healed quickly. It was important to me to follow our religious customs."
— Robert, age 42
"When I was young, my father taught me how to keep my penis clean, and I have never had any problems. Most boys in my gym classes were circumcised, but I never felt that I was strange or different because I wasn't. When my son is born, we will not have him circumcised."
— Aidan, age 25
"When our son William was born, we didn't have any reason to have him circumcised. We discussed it with our doctor and decided not to have the surgery. When William is older, he can decide for himself if he wants to have the procedure."
— Elise, age 49
"When our first son was born, we had him circumcised. All the men in my family are circumcised. But the procedure was painful and very stressful for him, so when our second son was born, we decided to leave him uncircumcised. We decided to spare him that pain. Both our sons are healthy and happy. Neither seems to care that their penises do not look exactly alike. I feel we made the right decision."
— Jeff, age 29
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to choose circumcision
Reasons to keep my son's penis natural
My religious beliefs make circumcision the best choice for my son.
My religious beliefs are not a factor in my decision.
Most of the men in my family are circumcised, and I want my son to be circumcised like them.
Most of the men in my family are not circumcised, and I want my son to have a natural penis like them.
The risks of surgery for my baby don't bother me.
I'm worried about the risks of surgery and how I would feel if something went wrong.
I'm worried that my son won't fit in when he is older if he isn't circumcised.
Many boys are not circumcised. I'm not worried about my son fitting in.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Choosing circumcision
Keeping my son's penis natural
1. Is circumcision a pain-free and risk-free surgery?
2. Does circumcision have health benefits?
3. Is circumcision only done in newborns?
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
Current as of: March 1, 2023
Author:
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