Circumcision Myths & Facts
- MYTH: Almost all men are circumcised
- FACT: Not so much. Globally, fewer than a third of all men are circumcised [World Health Organization, 2008].. And in the USA, fewer than half of all boys born in conventional hospitals from 2006-2009 were circumcised. Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/health/research/17circ.html?_r=0
- MYTH: Circumcision is recommended by doctors and medical associations
- FACT: In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that infant circumcision is not recommended as a routine procedure. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians agree. Source: "American Academy of Pediatrics: Circumcision Policy Statement". Pediatrics 103 (3): 686--693. March 1999. doi:10.1542/peds.103.3.686. PMID 10049981.
- MYTH: It's just a bit of skin; he won't miss it
- FACT: The prepuce (foreskin) contains about 10,000 super-specialized nerve endings and a few feet of blood vessels. It's important for sex, but it also protects the penis. Trust us, he'll miss it. Source: "American Academy of Pediatrics: Circumcision Policy Statement". Pediatrics 103 (3): 686--693. March 1999. doi:10.1542/peds.103.3.686. PMID 10049981.
- MYTH: It's easier to take care of a circumcised penis
- FACT: All you have to do with a child's intact penis is leave it alone. As the boy reaches puberty, he'll be able to retract his foreskin and rinse it as necessary. Not a big deal. Source: http://www.circumstitions.com/Care.html
- MYTH: Circumcision prevents urinary tract infections
- FACT: The studies linking circumcision to lower risk of UTIs are flawed. Here are detailed studies: http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/UTI/to/
- MYTH: Circumcision prevents penile cancer
- FACT: In a letter to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Cancer Society stated that it "does not consider routine circumcision to be a valid or effective measure to prevent [penile or cervical] cancers. ...Penile cancer rates in countries which do not practice circumcision are lower than those found in the U.S." Source: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/penilecancer/detailedguide/penile-cancer-prevention
- MYTH: Intact kids will get teased in the locker room
- FACT: These days nearly 50% of boys nationwide are left intact - so the circumcised boys may be just as likely to get teased. Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/health/research/17circ.html
- FINAL FACT: I'm not here to make judgement. Circumcision is a big decision - and an irreversible one. Do your homework and make the right decision for you and your boy.