The Circumcision Discussion

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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I know this can be a HUGE debate, and I'm not looking to start any arguments. I was just wondering as you are OB nurses. I'm expecting a boy in July and not sure if we should circ. or not. My husband says yes, it's better medically in the long run. My gpa who just turned 70 had to have a circ. due to endless complications lately.

As nurses in this area, is the medication that they use good? And what are some questions to ask my Dr. about it. I already know that my hospital i'll be at uses a med. when they perform it, I"m just wondering what you all think.

Thanks

Jen :)

It's not like someone can 'force' uncircumcision on anyone. Circumcision is irreversable I think. One can't forcebly uncircumcise, only forcebly circumcised, which is what is done apparently with forceable conversions to Islam, according to the article I posted.

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There are lots of decisions that parents make for their children that are not reversable.

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Tazzi, I don't know what you're talking about. Someone way back in this thread said "don't force your beliefs about not circumcising on me", that's what started this discussion. I replied that no one, anywhere, is forcing people NOT to be circumcised, but that the opposite does happen.(I wasn't talking about newborns)

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

There is no medical reason for circumcising anyone - male or female.

I dont believe you can support that with scientific evidence. If so, please post for us links to 3 peer reviewed, published, scientific papers that support your statement.

In regards to male circumcsion that is, this thread is clearly NOT advocating anytype of female circumscion and I fail to see how the two can be compared.

Evidence based practice, right?

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

These are my observations, as a mother/baby nurse, mom of an uncirced boy and wife to uncirced man....

1) Uncirced memberes are much easier to care for in infancy. JUST LEAVE IT ALONE! It will separate on its own! No Vaseline gauze, no nothing. Very low-maintenance.

2) As for the adult hygiene bit -- all you really have to do differently is retract, wash under it, rinse, and close. Dry everything well afterward. If that is too much, then maybe you need some protein shakes or something! Either way you have to wash it, right??

3) Although it is not the norm, I have seen some HORRIBLE circ screw-ups. And not just by residents. Bad enough where the kids had to have surgical repairs, and who knows what long-term sequelae. Uh, no thanks.

4) If my son comes to me at 18yo and says he doesn't like the way he looks and wants a circ, I will support him. Even though I hate circs with all my heart, if he decides that as an adult that's what he wants, I'll go with that choice. He is a consenting adult at that point. (I will tell him, however, that it will hurt like the devil, in case he doesn't already know.)

5) Where I work, people who don't have private insurance have to pay $673 for a circ. It never ceases to amaze me that people who will say they can't afford a corificeat will magically come up w/ this money (that I myself certainly don't have) so their babies' weenies can be whacked. That is not a judgment, simply something I have observed.

6) There are probably some situations where circing can be medically necessary....just like there are situations when c/section is necessary. But does that make it ok all the time? Is it then necessary to perform it on everyone on the off chance that they MIGHT get a UTI?

7) Most people say they don't remember getting circed, which is fine. I can't agree or disagree. But just because they can't remember, does that make it ok to inflict pain that's not medically justified? If it is, then we should also be doing routine appys so they don't get inflamed later on.

8) Why is it (rightfully called) child abuse to cut on a little girl's genitalia & ok to cut on a little boy? I see patients all the time who wouldn't dream of sending their baby girls to have their genitals cut but will send their little boys without a second thought. See also point #3.

I could go on and on. It is one of my pet topics, mostly because there is a vast amount of misinformation out there. But I will stop here. I'm not bashing anyone who had their boys cut or wants to in the future; I'm simply stating my observations on the topic and my reasons for being against it.

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Specializes in LTC.
When the prepuce is removed, the glans member becomes keratinized and loses sensitivity. This creates a problem for those who wish to engage in masterbation, and it makes it a little more difficult for them.

Not in my experience :D

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Not in my experience :D

but what do you have to compare to???

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Specializes in Pulmonology/Critical Care, Internal Med.
There is no medical reason for removing the prepuce. If God wanted not to have it, He would have left the glans member uncovered.

When the prepuce is removed, the glans member becomes keratinized and loses sensitivity. This creates a problem for those who wish to engage in masterbation, and it makes it a little more difficult for them.

Religious organizations also promote circumcision in the mistaken belief that the child "won't touch down there."

I don't know about all of that now Rock, I don't seem to have any problems with my keratinized glans nor do any of the other men I've been with. :smokin:

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Circumcised men do have some loss of sensitivity and are more likely to suffer performance problems as they age, due to the fact that their memberes are unprotected and exposed to chaffing for so many years.

When they are younger, however, they perform better due to the fact that they tend to last longer.

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What???? If you want to go there, choosing your child's religion is also "forcing your beliefs on another"!!!!

It is a given that parents and guardians make the decisions for minor children, so this is going too far.

i included the quote, to make it clear it was she i was addressing, just quoting her "justification" back at her......though religion can be changed,... for the most part this example of physical alteration is permanent...

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Being a Male I have opinions on this. Go figure a male with opinion on something.

1. I have no problem at all with Circumcision. I'm happy I was

2. I have a SERIOUS problem when no anesthesia is used. I think every doctor that circs a baby without anesthesia should have the EXACT same thing done to him. Already circ'd, I'm sure we can figure out how to do a "mini" on you. It would never be acceptable on an adult to not use anesthetic. I refuse to help any doc that does not use some form of Anesthesia. There was also a study done quite a few years back that showed that little boys who were circ'd with anesthesia tended to have a higher pain tolerance than boys who were not.

3. It does have medical purposes, one being reduced transmission of STD's in particular HIV, you can do all the teaching you want about Condoms, still doesn't mean they are going to listen.

4. Cleanliness, thats all I gotta say

5. What is barbaric to one culture is religious to another circ's are forced on parents, the parents have the right to decide what is to be done to their baby. Be it circ, vaccine, surgery, etc. Who are we to judge, i'm sure we all do things that others would find objectional.

Excellent post Alt John.

My future husband was circumsized as a baby during his Bris. It was done for religious reasons, at his house when he was 8 days old and done by a special rabbi. He was happy it was done and any baby boy we may have will likely have the same done.

Yes, there are some horror stories as to circ's that didn't go right however, there are horror stories for lots of medical procedures that didn't go right. Circ's do have some medical benefits and if a parent wants it done, so be it. Also, although some circ's are done for religious reasons (like a bris) many many more are done for cultural reasons in the US and cultural traditions are important. If a baby is given proper pain meds, the procedure is done by someone qualified to do circ's, and there is f/u care, I support any parent that wants to have this done.

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Specializes in Urgent Care.
Circumcised men do have some loss of sensitivity and are more likely to suffer performance problems as they age, due to the fact that their memberes are unprotected and exposed to chaffing for so many years.

When they are younger, however, they perform better due to the fact that they tend to last longer.

Again, I am asking someone to post links to peer reviewed, published, scientific information to support their statements.

How can we have evidence based practice w/o the EVIDENCE?

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