The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
FAQs
|
This
FAQ is so wrong, from beginning to end, that
rather than a full point-by-point rebuttal,
correct answers have been added. Notice how every
one of the ACOG's answers is designed to push
parents in the direction of cutting.
What is Male Circumcision? Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the
foreskin, which is the layer of skin that covers the
head of the penis. It is a ritual to remove a future man's genital sensory organ before he can resist or object. When is circumcision performed? Circumcision may be performed before or after the
mother and baby leave the hospital. It is performed
only if the baby is healthy. If the baby has a
medical condition, circumcision may be postponed. How is circumcision performed? Circumcision takes only a few minutes [which will seem like days to a newborn baby]. During the procedure, the baby is placed on a special table. Various [quasi-]surgical techniques are used, but they follow the same steps:
What pain medication is used for circumcision? Analgesia is safe and effective in reducing
the pain associated with newborn circumcision.
Before the procedure, you should ask what type of
pain relief will be used. [What
good will that do?] Who performs circumcisions? The procedure may be done by your
obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) or by a
pediatrician, a physician who takes care of the
health of children. In some cases, a circumcision
may be done in a nonmedical setting for religious or
cultural reasons. If this is the case, the person
doing the circumcision should be well trained in how
to do the procedure, how to relieve pain, and how to
prevent infection. Is circumcision a required procedure? It is your choice whether to have your son
circumcised. It is not required by law or by
hospital policy. Because circumcision is an elective
procedure, it may not be covered by your health
insurance policy. To find out if your policy covers
the procedure, call your health insurance provider.
Why do some parents choose to have their infant sons circumcised? One reason why parents circumcise their newborn
sons is for health benefits, such as decreased risk
of urinary tract infection during the first year of
life and decreased risk of sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) later in life. Others may choose
circumcision so that the child does not look
different from his father or other boys. For some
people, circumcision is a part of cultural or
religious practices. Muslims and Jews, for example,
have circumcised their male newborns for centuries.
Why do some parents choose not to have their infant sons circumcised? Some parents choose not to circumcise their sons
because they are worried about the pain the baby
feels or the risks involved. Others believe it is a
decision a boy should make himself when he is older.
However, recovery may take longer when circumcision
is done on an older child or adult. The risk of
complications also is increased when circumcision is
done later. [That
is false. The risk of cutting badly is greatly
reduced when the penis is full sized. Hurry!
This offer won't last! No mention that there is
no need for recovery or risk of complications
when it is not done at all.] What are the health benefits associated with circumcision? Circumcision reduces the bacteria that can live under the foreskin. This includes bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections or, in adults, STIs. Circumcised infants appear to have less risk of urinary tract infections than uncircumcised infants during the first year of life. Some research shows that circumcision may decrease the risk of a man getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from an infected female partner. More research is needed in this area. {Then why is this being presented as a reason to do it?] After studying scientific evidence, the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that the health
benefits of circumcision in newborn boys outweigh
the risks of the procedure. But the AAP also found
the benefits are not great enough to recommend that
all newborn boys be circumcised. Are there risks associated with circumcision? All surgical procedures carry some risk.
Complications from a circumcision are rare, but they
can occur. When they do occur, they usually are
minor. Possible complications include bleeding,
infection, or scarring. In rare cases, too
much of the foreskin or not enough foreskin
is removed. Complications generally are less likely
if the circumcision is done by someone well trained
in the procedure. It also is less likely for
complications to arise if the circumcision is done
in a medical setting. Some parents also may worry that circumcision harms
a man’s sexual function, sensitivity, or
satisfaction. However, current evidence shows that
it does not. When should circumcision not be done? Circumcision should only be done when the newborn is stable and healthy. Reasons to delay circumcision include the following:
How should I care for my circumcised son? If you choose to have your baby boy circumcised, you will need to care for his penis as it heals. {It does not make his penis "maintenance free".] With each diaper change, the penis should be cleaned and petroleum jelly placed over the wound. The jelly can be placed on a gauze pad and applied directly on the penis or placed on the diaper in the area the penis touches. In most cases, the skin will heal in 7–10 days. You may notice that the tip of the penis is red and there may be a small amount of yellow fluid. This usually is a normal sign of healing.[The yellow fluid - pus - is white blood cells that have died fighting infection.] How do I keep the circumcised area clean? Use a mild soap to gently wash the penis. Remove
any stool with
soap and water during diaper changes. Change diapers
often so that urine
and stool do
not cause infection.
Signs of infection include redness that does not go
away, swelling, or fluid that looks cloudy and forms
a crust. Call your health care professional right
away if you notice any of these signs. How should I care for my uncircumcised son? If your baby boy is not circumcised, wash the
outside of the penis with a mild soap and water. Do not attempt to pull
back the infant’s foreskin. The foreskin may not
be able to pull back completely until he is older.
This is normal. [So
far so good.] Your child’s
pediatrician will tell you when it is ready to be
pulled back and cleaned. As your child gets older, teach your son how to wash his penis. When he is old enough, he should gently pull back the foreskin and clean the area with soap and water. The foreskin then should be pushed back into place. What should I consider when making a decision about circumcision? It is important to have all of the information
about the possible benefits and risks of the
procedure before making a decision. You may think
about future health benefits, religious or cultural
beliefs, and personal preferences or social
concerns. Remember, circumcision is elective—it is
your choice whether to have it done. If you have any
questions or concerns, talk with your ob-gyn or
other health care professional during your pregnancy
so you have enough time to make an informed
decision. Glossary Analgesia: Relief of pain without loss of muscle function. [That's why the Circumstraint™ has Velcro straps to hold the baby down and prevent him from injuring himself when he struggles against what is being done to him.] Bacteria: One-celled organisms that can cause infections in the human body.[They are trying to scare you. Many bacteria, such as those digesting food in our gut, are beneficial. Our bodies are covered in trillions of them.] Circumcision: The surgical removal of a fold of skin called the foreskin that covers the glans (head) of the penis. [The c-word is actually a religious euphemism. The medical term would be posthectomy or foreskin resection.] Complications: Diseases or conditions that occur as a result of another disease or condition. An example is pneumonia that occurs as a result of the flu. A complication also can occur as a result of a condition, such as pregnancy. An example of a pregnancy complication is preterm labor. Elective Procedure: A planned, nonemergency procedure that is chosen by a patient or health care professional. The procedure is seen [by whom?] as positive for the patient but not absolutely necessary. [The healthy infant - not a patient - never elects to have his foreskin cut off. Parents normally only elect surgery on healthy babies where there is severe disfigurement that will benefit from early treatment.] Foreskin: A layer of skin covering the end of the penis.[And on erection, uncovering the head of the penis and covering the shaft of the penis. When it is the whole topic of this discussion and the target of this operation, they could hardly say less about it, could they?] Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): A virus that attacks certain cells of the body’s immune system and causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A physician with special skills, training, and education in women’s health. Penis: An external male sex organ. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Infections
that are spread by sexual contact, including
chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV),
herpes, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome [AIDS]). |
Related pages:
Back to the Intactivism index page.