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Child circumcision: Difference between revisions

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Reasons for performing circumcision range widely by culture, religion, location, and age.
Reasons for performing circumcision range widely by culture, religion, location, and age.
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===Cultural===
===Cultural===
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* Orgasm problems: In the wake of reduced sexual sensitivity, due to the loss of sensory tissue and gradual [[keratinization]] of the surface of the [[Glans penis|glans]], orgasm problems may develop with increasing age. In this case, the sexual arousal created by intercourse or [[masturbation]] is not enough to achieve orgasm. A preliminary stage of this late effect is the prolonged time [[circumcised]]] men need to reach an orgasm. This is often fielded as the "cut men have more endurance" argument for circumcision.
* Orgasm problems: In the wake of reduced sexual sensitivity, due to the loss of erogenous sensory tissue and gradual [[keratinization]] of the surface of the [[Glans penis|glans]], orgasm problems may develop with increasing age. In this case, the sexual arousal created by intercourse or [[masturbation]] is not enough to achieve orgasm. A preliminary stage of this late effect is the prolonged time [[circumcised]]] men need to reach an orgasm. This is often fielded as the "cut men have more endurance" argument for circumcision.
* Vaginal dryness: Due to the loss of the natural [[gliding action]], which comes from the mobility of the [[foreskin]] and [[shaft skin]], a much increased friction between [[penis]] and [[vagina]] occurs during intercourse. This can make intercourse painful for both partners and lead to abrasions<ref>{{FrischM LindholmM GroenbaekM 2011}}</ref><ref>{{REFjournal
* Vaginal dryness: Due to the loss of the natural [[gliding action]], which comes from the mobility of the [[foreskin]] and [[shaft skin]], a much increased friction between [[penis]] and [[vagina]] occurs during intercourse. This can make intercourse painful for both partners and lead to abrasions<ref>{{FrischM LindholmM GroenbaekM 2011}}</ref><ref>{{REFjournal
  |last=Cortés-González
  |last=Cortés-González
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  |pubmedID=18807735
  |pubmedID=18807735
  |accessdate=
  |accessdate=
}}</ref> The prolonged time it takes [[circumcised]] men to reach orgasm, as well as the often longer and more vigorous thrusting movements - compared to [[intact]] men - play a part in this.<ref name="ColdCJ TaylorJR 1999">{{ColdCJ TaylorJR 1999}}</ref><ref>{{REFjournal
}}</ref> The prolonged time it takes [[circumcised]] men to reach orgasm, as well as the often longer and more vigorous thrusting movements — compared to [[intact]] men — play a part in this.<ref name="ColdCJ TaylorJR 1999">{{ColdCJ TaylorJR 1999}}</ref><ref>{{REFjournal
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  |last=Fink
  |init=KS
  |init=KS
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===Health effects===
The [[foreskin]] provides both [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin| physical protection and protection from infection]], so [[foreskinned]] boys and men tend to have better health than [[circumcised]] boys and men.<ref name=fendereski2024" /> <ref name="bollinger2025-08-27" /> <ref name="vanhowe2006" />


=== Sexual effects ===
=== Sexual effects ===
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=== Psychological effects ===
=== Psychological effects ===
[[Psychological_issues_of_male_circumcision#Circumcision_trauma_in_adults| Psychological late effects]] are also possible after a circumcision, especially if the operation was carried out in childhood.<ref name="garrett2024-01-09" /> On this occasion a variety of [[trauma]] may occur, which depend, among others, on age and circumstances of the circumcision. For example, whether the circumcision took place with or without sufficient anaesthesia, if the individual has been informed about the operation beforehand, if he was [[circumcised]] against his will or without his consent, and also, in the case of infant circumcision, if he was told about it during childhood or had to find it out coincidentally on his own.
[[Psychological_issues_of_male_circumcision#Circumcision_trauma_in_adults| Psychological late effects]] are also likely after a circumcision, especially if the operation was carried out in childhood.<ref name="garrett2024-01-09" /> On this occasion a variety of [[trauma]] may occur, which depend, among others, on age and circumstances of the circumcision. For example, whether the circumcision took place with or without sufficient anaesthesia, if the individual has been informed about the operation beforehand, if he was [[circumcised]] against his will or without his consent, and also, in the case of infant circumcision, if he was told about it during childhood or had to find it out coincidentally on his own.


The psychological late effects of circumcision are not yet fully researched, and many studies took place on rather a small scale. This situation needs to be rectified, because the available studies, as well as the histories of negatively affected men, suggest that these late effects may have more impact than previously assumed.
The psychological late effects of circumcision are not yet fully researched, and many studies took place on rather a small scale. This situation needs to be rectified, because the available studies, as well as the histories of negatively affected men, suggest that these late effects may have more impact than previously assumed.
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  |volume=38
  |volume=38
  |pages=321-31
  |pages=321-31
|pubmedID=5322308
|DOI=10.1111/j.2044-8341.1965.tb01314.x
  |accessdate=2019-10-12
  |accessdate=2019-10-12
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* Fear of doctors, clinics and also closed rooms.<ref name="Levy1945"/>
* Fear of doctors, clinics, and also closed rooms.<ref name="Levy1945"/>
* Relapse into the state of bed-wetting, even if the child was already dry before.<ref name="Levy1945"/>
* Relapse into the state of bed-wetting, even if the child was already dry before.<ref name="Levy1945"/>
* [[Circumcised]] males who become fathers frequently manifest [[adamant father syndrome]].
* [[Circumcised]] males who become fathers frequently manifest [[adamant father syndrome]].
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  |accessdate=2019-10-12
  |accessdate=2019-10-12
  |note=ID 10.1007/978-0-585-39937-9_19
  |note=ID 10.1007/978-0-585-39937-9_19
}}</ref> Parental consent is required.<ref>See, e.g., Shephard and Shephard, ''The Complete Guide'', p. 125.</ref> A statement published by the [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] in 1999 claimed that "parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child... It is legitimate for parents to take into account cultural, religious, and ethnic traditions, in additions to the medical factors, when making a decision."<ref>Lannon and Bailey, "Circumcision Policy Statement," p. 691.</ref> however surrogate consent for non-therapeutic circumcision is now viewed as unethical.
}}</ref> Parental consent is required.<ref>See, e.g., Shephard and Shephard, ''The Complete Guide'', p. 125.</ref> A statement published by the [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] in 1999 claimed that "parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child... It is legitimate for parents to take into account cultural, religious, and ethnic traditions, in additions to the medical factors, when making a decision."<ref>Lannon and Bailey, "Circumcision Policy Statement," p. 691.</ref> however surrogate consent for non-therapeutic circumcision is now viewed as unethical.<ref name-"myers2020">{{REFjournal
|last=Myers
|first=
|init=A
|author-link=Alex Myers
|last2=Earp
|first2=
|init2=BD
|author2-link=Brian D. Earp
|etal=no
|title=What is the best age to circumcise? A medical and ethical analysis
|trans-title=
|language=
|journal=Bioethics
|location=
|date=2020
|volume=34
|issue=7
|pages=645-63
|url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Brian-Earp-2/publication/337720859_What_Is_the_Best_Age_to_Circumcise_A_Medical_and_Ethical_Analysis/links/5f815f61a6fdccfd7b555395/What-Is-the-Best-Age-to-Circumcise-A-Medical-and-Ethical-Analysis.pdf
|archived=
|quote=Based on a careful consideration of the relevant evidence, arguments and counterarguments, we conclude that medically unnecessary penile circumcision-like other medically unnecessary genital procedures, such as 'cosmetic' labiaplasty-should not be performed on individuals who are too young (or otherwise unable) to provide meaningful consent to the procedure.
|pubmedID=32068898
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=
|doi=10.1111/bioe.12714
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2026-02-03
}}</ref>


In the [[United Kingdom]], where non-therapeutic circumcision has now become far less prevalent than in the [[United States]], the written consent of both parents is required, if a physician is to perform a non-therapeutic circumcision of a child.<ref>{{REFjournal
In the [[United Kingdom]], where non-therapeutic circumcision has now become far less prevalent than in the [[United States]], the written consent of both parents is required, if a physician is to perform a non-therapeutic circumcision of a child.<ref>{{REFjournal
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In recent years, legal writers in several English-speaking countries have been questioning the practice of acceding to parental wishes.<ref>See, e.g., [[Margaret A. Somerville|Somerville]], "Therapeutic and Non-Therapeutic Medical Procedures"; Poulter, ''English Criminal Law''; [[Abbie Chessler|Chessler]], "Justifying the Unjustifiable"; Smith, "Male Circumcision."</ref> For example, critics have pointed out that, in the [[United States]], more than 1.3% of male neonatal deaths are attributable to the complications of non-therapeutic circumcision surgery.<ref name="Bollinger 2010"/>
In recent years, legal writers in several English-speaking countries have been questioning the practice of acceding to parental wishes.<ref>See, e.g., [[Margaret A. Somerville|Somerville]], "Therapeutic and Non-Therapeutic Medical Procedures"; Poulter, ''English Criminal Law''; [[Abbie Chessler|Chessler]], "Justifying the Unjustifiable"; Smith, "Male Circumcision."</ref> For example, critics have pointed out that, in the [[United States]], more than 1.3% of male neonatal deaths are attributable to the complications of non-therapeutic circumcision surgery.<ref name="Bollinger 2010"/>
==Recommendations of medical authorities==
==Recommendations of medical authorities==
* [[George Hill| Hill]] (2007) said:
* [[George Hill| Hill]] (2007) said:
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Yang et al. (2025) report a "significant" decline in the incidence of circumcision over a ten-year period and that only a minority of American boys are being [[circumcised]] in the newborn period. <ref name="yang2025" /> Although the incidence of [[circumcision of the newborn]] has been gradually declining for decades, this is the first study to report an overall incidence of less than fifty percent. Based on this new information, we can now report that [[intactness]] is now the NORM among the newborn boys of America.  
Yang et al. (2025) report a "significant" decline in the incidence of circumcision over a ten-year period and that only a minority of American boys are being [[circumcised]] in the newborn period since 2022. The authors reported a decline of 1/2 of one percent per year. <ref name="yang2025" /> Although the incidence of [[circumcision of the newborn]] has been gradually declining for decades, this is the first study to report an overall incidence of less than fifty percent. Based on this new information, we can now report that [[intactness]] is now the NORM among the newborn boys of America. The decline in circumcision popularity is expected to continue.  


We note that [[Australia]] reported a significant improvement in child health when the incidence of circumcision declined in that nation.<ref>{{REFweb
We note that [[Australia]] reported a significant improvement in child health when the incidence of circumcision declined in that nation.<ref>{{REFweb
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  |date=2025-12-11
  |date=2025-12-11
  |accessdate=2025-12-11
  |accessdate=2025-12-11
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/intactinfo/comments/1qe1kkl/the_neurological_cost_of_circumcision_a_breakdown/
|title=The Neurological Cost of Circumcision, A Breakdown of What's Removed
|last=Anonymous
|first=
|init=
|author-link=
|publisher=REDDIT
|date=2026-01-15
|accessdate=2026-01-16
}}
}}
{{REF}}
{{REF}}
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