Circumcision Debate

Vsummer1 · Mar 31, 2003

Originally posted by Tenesma
a few points

1) the academy of pediatrics no longer endorses circumcisions

2) there is NO difference in infection rate whatsoever - primarily because the foreskin produces smegma which has both anti-microbial and anti-viral propertis

3) the only thing medical evidence to support circumcision is that you decrease your risk for penile cancer - but the same philosophy applies to breasts (if you have a mastectomy you decrease your risk for breast cancer).

4) with every surgery there are surgical complications that can arise: including surgical wound infection which led to a penectomy (that's right - the member gets chopped off), scarring and disfigurement that leads to painful intercourse... etc...

Most of the European countries do no provide circumcision...

In response to your points, 1 & 2, I will say it once again, note that there IS scientific evidence of potential medicial benefits but not sufficient to recommend routine circumcision. I have provided my references on this, not opinion.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision (1998) noted that, although there is scientific evidence of potential medical benefits of circumcision, the data are not sufficient to recommend routine circumcision. The Task Force further recommended that is circumcision is performed, analgesia should be used."

Vsummer1 · Mar 31, 2003

Originally posted by Susy K
To circumsize or not to circumsize:

Parent's Choice.. End of story.

I agree. It is a cultural thing and both my boys had it done. Thier father had it done. In fact, I haven't met a member yet that wasn't though I expect to soon in clinicals :eek: In my previous posts, I was merely presenting the facts of it, since the initial poster was just wrong with his information.

Q. · Mar 31, 2003

Oh Val, my post wasn't directed to you at all! Just my opinion on something that I think shouldn't even really be a debate but between parents.

bossynurse · Mar 31, 2003

I totally think circumcision is the way to go. I had my son done. I personally think that it makes a prettier "package" no pun intended. Not that the member is an attractive thing. I have seen no infections with pt that have been circumcized yet I have seen many with uncirced males. I had a gastric bypass pt who wasnt done. Do we all know what happens to male genitalia when the person is obese? (for Heather and other OB nurses-- It disappears, kinda sucks itself into the belly) This man had a nasty infection and I had to teach his MOM how to apply antibiotic ointment qid when he was discharged. Urology was consulted during surgery to place the foley. But we all have are opinions.

RNonsense · Mar 31, 2003

Anybody know the stats on adult circ's? Our OR slate printed up every morning at 6am and there seemed to be alot of them. We are just one hospital that isn't even a GU specialty...

sjoe · Mar 31, 2003

shady writes: "Sjoe, I am assuming you are anti-circumscision??? "

Not when there is some valid medical reason for it.

I am for each person having maximum authority over and control of and responsibility for his/her own body.

I am not for parents making cosmetic surgical decisions such as this for their own reasons, which include: social conformity, personal distaste for the appearance of the genitals of the "opposite" sex, an exercise of the legal power and control they have over another individual (particularly, it seems, when this person is of the "opposite" sex), etc. The inherent parental hostility/sadism in this is umistakable. We are not talking about repairing a deformity here, but creating one.

Similarly I am not for parents having their infants or children scarified (for tribal identity), tattooed (to ward off evil, etc.), or otherwise mutilated (as in some poverty-ridden countries, in order to increase revenues from begging) for similar reasons.

Yes, I am aware that all the above procedures are performed, at times, for "religious" or spiritualist reasons, but again, I would not and do not support this being done, unless and until the child is old enough to competently make the decision for him/herself.

Do I spend my time organizing, writing letters, penning books, going on speaking tours, etc. to explain my views? Is this a major, or even significant, part of my life? Nope.

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2003

Sjoe, I was joking.

GraceyB · Mar 31, 2003

I dated a man that was not circumsized and it was disgusting. Always had that urine smell and the feel was not the same. I have to tell you that my boys (if I ever have any) will be circumsized. All the men in my family have had it done and my boys will have it done as well.

Kaylesh · Mar 31, 2003

Okay.. I have to jump in and give my two pence worth...

I am a american nurse that has been living and well loving here in Scotland since 1999...

I have been with both circ and uncirc men.. I haven't noticed any unusual odour with either.. Only men that aren't good with their hygeine will have odour such as urine smell..and i've smelt that with both intact and non intact men.

GraceyB you certainly are entitled to your opinion but mine is ....

Its up to the individual.. i'd never have any child of mine automatically circumcised.. there'd have to be a good medical reason..

Just my opinion..

Kay(Kaylesh)

Canna resist a good debate :-)

eddy · Mar 31, 2003

Getting a bit personal here..... But I am circ'd.

I see this as a family choice. I have seen a limited number of circs and assisted with a couple as well. By no means am I an expert on the subject. For me, I am glad my parents elected for the procedure. I was circ'd while still in the hospital following birth. I think that if it ISN'T done early on that it should be left up to the child as they need to make the decision at that point because they WILL remember the pain and should be allowed to make their own choice as to whether it is worth it to them. If done in the earliest stages of life, I see it as acceptable though.

I don't feel "mutilated" or "less of a man" without my skin. In fact, until my mid teens I thought this was just the way a member looked. It wasn't until I saw an uncirc'd member that I wondered what the deal was. This poor kid in our school was one of the few uncirc'd kids there. We no longer got to "skip" showers after gym class, because the teachers were complaining about the "foul oder" of the boys following gym (hehe...). The very first day of mandatory showers, this kid was "discovered". He took a great deal of crap from the other kids, and really suffered as a result (quite unfairly, but kids can be pretty evil buggers). Needless to say, the kid never had a date in high school, was made fun of all the time, and became socially withdrawn. Before this "discovery" the kids treated him normally, and in fact he was very well liked. I fear that this little incident probably caused problems for him even to the present, and that is so sad.

While there are limited but substantiated medical pros for the procedure, there are also social ones too (at least from my experience growing up). If handled correctly, I think either route is perfectly reasonable, but like I said, I am glad my parents chose to "mutilate" me.

nurseJLoo · Mar 31, 2003

Yuck an unpeeled banana!:chuckle

OBNURSEHEATHER · Mar 31, 2003

:rotfl:

At this point, the government has yet to intervene, so it is still everyone's right to make this choice themself, or for their child. No one will change anyone's mind here.

That being said, all the boys in my house have had their bananas peeled.