CIRCUMCISION - To cut or not to cut? This is the question?
Now here is a topic to divide the floor! There have been various
trends with just as many theories as to why a boy should or
not be circumcised. The latest medical advice from the Royal
College of Pediatricians (Australia) is that there is no medical
reason for routine circumcision of newborn male infants.
What is Cirumcision? - Circumcision is the removal of the
flap of skin which naturally covers the tip of the penis.
Many people, including some doctors, have very strong feelings
about circumcision. There are conflicting points of view about
the risks and possible benefits of circumcision. Legal and
ethical issues about circumcision are also being widely discussed.
Why has circumcision been done in the past? - Circumcision
has been done for several thousand years. It may have started
as a hygiene measure in communities living in hot, dry, dusty
climates, and then became a cultural and religious ritual.
In the last 100 years, circumcision rates increased until
most boys were circumcised in the 1950s in English speaking
countries. More recently, the number of boys circumcised has
decreased, and now less than 10% of boys are circumcised in
Australia. In many European countries even fewer boys are
circumcised. Now most circumcisions are done for family, cultural
or religious reasons. Sometimes circumcision needs to be done
for medical reasons, such as when the foreskin is too tight.
The Argument Against - It is natural to have a foreskin, and
it plays an important role in protecting the delicate end
of the penis, especially while nappies are being worn. Circumcision
can be painful for the child, both at the time of the operation
and for some days after. Complications are rare, but there
can be bleeding, infection and damage to the tip of the penis.
Many people believe that removing the foreskin may lead to
the tip of the penis being less sensitive, perhaps leading
to less sexual pleasure later in life. As most boys are not
being circumcised, parents want their son to look like other
boys of his age.
The Argument For - Many parents who choose circumcision want
it for cultural reasons, or so that their son will look like
his father or other family members (perhaps older brothers).
Circumcision prevents some infections under the foreskin which
may happen in infancy and later childhood. However if they
occur, they can be treated without the need for a circumcision.
Boys who have been circumcised can still get infections of
the tip of the penis (also uncommon). Circumcised men may
run a lower risk of getting sexually transmitted infections,
perhaps including HIV. However, circumcision is not an appropriate
substitute for good personal hygiene other better forms of
protection (such as condom use). After all you don’t
pull out your child’s teeth if he can’t be bothered
cleaning them do you?
Having Circumcision Done Safely
Some parents will still decide to have their child circumcised.
You need to be sure that the surgeon (who will do the operation)
is skilful and has had a lot of experience in doing circumcisions,
and an appropriate anesthetic should be used so that the boy
does not have a lot of pain. To reduce the risks and discomfort
for the child, the operation is best done under a general
anesthetic after the age of six months. I would suggest that
if you are having an infant circumcised I would suggest that
you do not do it in Bali.
Looking after the penis and foreskin
Care of the foreskin and penis is simple. For most male babies
and young boys, the foreskin is still attached to the glans
(tip of the penis). Do not try to push the foreskin of a young
boy back until it can move freely by itself. Pushing it away
from the glans may cause damage to the tip of the penis or
the foreskin. With time, the foreskin moves back more easily,
and boys should be encouraged to wash under the foreskin every
time they bath or shower. The age when this happens is variable
- different for different boys, but it usually detached by
2 – 3 years. Make sure that they know to push the foreskin
down over the tip of the penis after they have washed it.
If it stays up, the foreskin may swell (drainage of blood
away from the foreskin may be affected), and the foreskin
can become tight and painful. The white substance (smegma)
under the foreskin is natural and does not cause health problems
- it simply needs to be washed away regularly.
…and if anyone is still considering circumcision for
their newborn, please check out the following website http://www.cirp.org/library/procedure/plastibell/
Next week Female Circumcision or Female Genital Mutilation,
and yes, it does still happen in this country.
“Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife
that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty
years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral
service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any
health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail
at info@chcbali.com”.
