CDC rec to counsel all males about benefits of circumcision

[sistrmoon]

Wasn't sure the best place to put this, but here's the article:

CDC Considers Counseling Males Of All Ages On Circumcision : Shots - Health News : NPR

What do you think of this? Have you read the African studies and do you think they translate to our population? Do you think it's a good idea from a public health standpoint?

[MunoRN, RN]

The member and foreskin is very similar in form and function to the privy parts/clitoral hood. In the case of ambiguous genitalia, they're pretty identical.

In the case of differentiated genitalia they are actually easily identifiable as being different, even though we use the same names for both. Being different, the same thing that's done to one doesn't actually have the same effect on another. The effects on sexual stimulation, for instance, with female circumcision are common and severe, while there is really no scientific evidence that male circumcision alters sexual stimulation in any sort of 'disabling' manner.

[Red Kryptonite]

A quick read on the functions of the foreskin. Yes it has functions, including immunological ones aside from the sexual ones.

http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/DOC/statement02.html

[macawake, MSN]

What other healthy parts of an infant's body would we find it acceptable for parents to decide to have surgically removed?

I personally find the practice barbaric

If a man grown-up man wants to have it done, that should in my oponion be his decision. A child should be allowed to have his body left intact until he is old enough to decide for himself (i.e. an adult).

[MunoRN, RN]

A quick read on the functions of the foreskin. Yes it has functions, including immunological ones aside from the sexual ones.

Genital Integrity Policy - The Prepuce

Is there an argument that it has no function?

[Libby1987]

My boys were circumcised, one had to be and the other was insisted on by dad, and I regret it however until they and other men speak out against it as a majority, I don't think it will change. I've never known a man who resented it, they were all actually glad for it (though I would argue that's due to conditioning by our culture) and until they do I doubt we'll see this practice changed.

Unlike female genital mutiliation and the extreme examples aforementioned, the male population in the US is a powerful group and can hardly be compared to the oppressed female populations in other cultures. If they didn't want it, they'd be saying so and insisting the practice stopped.

[Glycerine82, LPN]

NO! I can assure you it is NOT a good idea for the average american boy who has access to soap and water and at least one parent that will teach him.

SO MANY nerve endings are cut when they circumcise, and I hate to see anyone push for it. If someone wants to do it, well that's one thing.

The only thing I see being a potential problem has to do with us as healthcare workers. I've seen many older men who weren't properly cleaned, because they no longer had the dexterity to pull the foreskin back. That's completely avoidable if whoever helps with hygiene would simply clean it properly.

[Glycerine82, LPN]

By that logic, all parents should be forced to vax their kids and Jehovah's witnesses' should be forced to consent to blood transfusions for their underage child that could save their child's life.

Well.....yeah.

[Glycerine82, LPN]

I think usually the hospital will get a court order to force the blood transfusion, though this doesn't help in a critical situation...

Glad I'm not a doc, because that would be the end of my career.

[klone, MSN, RN]

In the case of NICU babies - the court order is obtained ahead of time, in anticipation of needing it. When a JW woman is in antepartum and it looks like an extreme preterm infant will be delivered, they just do it. I've never seen there be a delay, and most of the time, newborn preterm infants don't need a blood transfusion immediately anyway.

[Red Kryptonite]

My boys were circumcised, one had to be and the other was insisted on by dad, and I regret it however until they and other men speak out against it as a majority, I don't think it will change. I've never known a man who resented it, they were all actually glad for it (though I would argue that's due to conditioning by our culture) and until they do I doubt we'll see this practice changed.

Unlike female genital mutiliation and the extreme examples aforementioned, the male population in the US is a powerful group and can hardly be compared to the oppressed female populations in other cultures. If they didn't want it, they'd be saying so and insisting the practice stopped.

I'm involved in intactivism, and you should know that men who speak out against the practice and express that they feel robbed or violated get shamed as crybabies. Men who are grateful they were circumcised as babies have been culturally trained to see their natural bodies as disgusting, dirty, and even threatening given the histrionics people get into about cleanliness and disease.

Circumcision in the US started as a preventative and punishment by twisted Victorians for masturbation. Just Google Dr. Kellogg and circumcision and you can find all the evidence you need, much written by himself and other doctors. No rational person who has any respect for human rights should want to continue this "tradition." Never mind the way other civilized countries view us over this practice...let's just say it's not favorable.

Also, in the hospital, it's the mother they ask after the baby is born. Educating women about this is key to prevention. Men and women both need to learn and speak up.

I fully agree that if an adult man wants to get himself circumcised, he can go for it. But a man circumcised as a baby can never get back what he lost. His choice has been taken away forever. The owner of the member should be able to choose, and no one else.

We also need to educate parents and doctors in proper intact care. Ignorant health care providers are forcibly retracting the still-fused foreskins of infants and young boys and causing injury, infection, and adhesions. The whole issue is just such a mess....

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think circumcision needs to be left up to parents for religious or cultural reasons. Educate parents but don't frighten them with biased statement and negligible evidence.

Personally, I think the government needs to stay out the the subject of male genitalia and foreskin especially when soap and water are available. My son is not circumcised. I didn't feel it was necessary to perform a circumcision medically when soap and water was the only excuse given to me as to the reason to have him circumcised. My OB was Jewish and never once did he make me feel bad or ashamed of my decision....great guy...(rip).

My husband is of European decent and isn't circumcised but let me make the decision based on medical evidence.

I don't need the CDC talking to my son about his member. Period.

[Red Kryptonite]

I think circumcision needs to be left up to parents for religious or cultural reasons. Educate parents but don't frighten them with biased statement and negligible evidence.

For girls, too? And if not, why not?