I absolutely will not...

[Booner]

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I don't understand the passionate circumcision beliefs. Are guys afraid they'll end up needing that back some day? Is there some deep freud-style angst circumcised males must live with, like they have repressed memories of the doctor yanking them from the womb and attacking their penis? I admit I have zero experience in circumcision, so feel free to explain. It don't see why you wouldn't just do what the parents want for lack of any significant medical reason to do otherwise.

Good question Helena, let's see if any of them answer it.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

I don't understand the passionate circumcision beliefs. Are guys afraid they'll end up needing that back some day? Is there some deep freud-style angst circumcised males must live with, like they have repressed memories of the doctor yanking them from the womb and attacking their penis? I admit I have zero experience in circumcision, so feel free to explain. It don't see why you wouldn't just do what the parents want for lack of any significant medical reason to do otherwise.

No, it's not any kind of psych thing. Men that I've known who had the proceedure done later in life, for silly reasons like wanting to be like everyone else, regreted having a circ done afterwards and either had expensive reconstructive cosmetic surgery done to have it "replaced" or just couldn't afford it and had to live with the damage. They found a marked decrease in sensitivity and enjoyment regarding sex after having their prepuce removed.

As for doing what the parent want, I would highly discourage them from the practice. A better arguement would be: why do a medical proceedure that isn't necessary. Why do something just because everyone else does it?

 

[Booner]

So if a patient asked you to do the procedure you'd refuse due to a few personal anecdotes?

 

[Booner]

No, it's not any kind of psych thing. Men that I've known who had the proceedure done later in life, for silly reasons like wanting to be like everyone else, regreted having a circ done afterwards and either had expensive reconstructive cosmetic surgery done to have it "replaced" or just couldn't afford it and had to live with the damage. They found a marked decrease in sensitivity and enjoyment regarding sex after having their prepuce removed.

As for doing what the parent want, I would highly discourage them from the practice. A better arguement would be: why do a medical proceedure that isn't necessary. Why do something just because everyone else does it?

So if a patient asked you to do the procedure you'd refuse due to a few personal anecdotes?

 

[Brickhouse]

No, it's not any kind of psych thing. Men that I've known who had the proceedure done later in life, for silly reasons like wanting to be like everyone else, regreted having a circ done afterwards and either had expensive reconstructive cosmetic surgery done to have it "replaced" or just couldn't afford it and had to live with the damage. They found a marked decrease in sensitivity and enjoyment regarding sex after having their prepuce removed.

Do you guys remember that Sex and the city episode where Charlottes boyfriend is uncut but ends up getting the procedure to please her....good times

 

[KittycooMD]

Doula, it depends on what you refuse to do. In terms of abortion, don't be a OB/GYN if you don't want to do it. I absolutely won't perform them, so I don't intend to be an OB/GYN (not that it was an interest anyway). Also, some (maybe most?) states have laws protecting physicians from performing them due to ethical reasons.

My dad is an OB/GYN and is absolutely pro-life (for himself though he thinks women have a right to choose). Thus, if his patient wants one he tells her he himself will not do it but he refers her to a great colleague who will. He loves his job and doesn't think resfusing to do abortions is a big deal. And yes he is the one who does circum. on babies but leaves it up to each mother. He doesn't try to persuade her one way or the other, so there's lots of lee-way once you're estalished in your practice!

 

[DrBowtie]

Anyone else apathetic towards this whole circumcision debate? It's not a big deal. If the parents want to get it done, it's going to get done.

Anyone see Last Comic Standing? Funny Joke about it on the show.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

So if a patient asked you to do the procedure you'd refuse due to a few personal anecdotes?

No, it's up to the parents if they want to do the procedure. But it's also up to me as a doctor (future) to explain to the parents that it's not medically necessary and may decrease the child's sexual experience in the future. And speaking as someone who had his prepuce cut off, I didn't want it done but it's too late at this point as the damage is done. Doing a medical procedure without medical need or without the consent of the patient is professionally wrong.

Besides, why does everyone seem to want every male child's prepuce cut off? A perfectly valid question to women would be (since the same question was asked of males): why do women/mothers want to have the procedure done? Is there some freudian fear of a penis that has a prepuce or something? 😴

 

[Keg]

I'll never be caught performing abortions or prescribing female contraception (anything that could cause an abortion-like outcome).

But give me baby penis, and I'll cut away 🙂

 

[Booner]

You didn't want to be circumcised? Did you have it forced upon you later in life, otherwise I'm betting that you weren't exactly cogniscent of the consequences right after you were born. Also, the consent of the patient argument isn't valid here because the consent for a minor is given by the parents, so consent is given. Well I hope while you're giving them your anti-circ. lecture you'll also be presenting the other side of the coin, the hours and hours of extra washing their child will have to do in order to keep it clean in there in order to avoid the aforementioned consequences which some seem to think only crop up in third-world countries. Keep in mind that a lot of those consequences affect others as well, who are the ones at risk of reaping the worst consequences of it all.

 

[Brickhouse]

You didn't want to be circumcised? Did you have it forced upon you later in life, otherwise I'm betting that you weren't exactly cogniscent of the consequences right after you were born. Also, the consent of the patient argument isn't valid here because the consent for a minor is given by the parents, so consent is given. Well I hope while you're giving them your anti-circ. lecture you'll also be presenting the other side of the coin, the hours and hours of extra washing their child will have to do in order to keep it clean in there in order to avoid the aforementioned consequences which some seem to think only crop up in third-world countries. Keep in mind that a lot of those consequences affect others as well, who are the ones at risk of reaping the worst consequences of it all.

While studying for the boards, I learned that a minor becomes emancipated once s/he is married. Can you believe that? Parental consent goes out the window, even if you're 13.
Can you tell I'm procrastinating?

 

[LizUMD]

Why would parents choose circumcision?

For the same reason that a parent would take their 12 year old with cystic acne to the dermatologist. For the same reason they would take their myopic child to the optometrist to replace glasses with contacts. For the same reason that they take them to the orthodontist to get a retainer for their overbite. For the same reason they would take them to the podiatrist for chronic toenail fungal infections.

They do it because it is the cultural norm, and they do not want their child to suffer psychological damage in the future by being different than the majority of other men. Is this a "good" enough reason? Is it rational? Maybe, maybe not.

Is there really a "medical need" for Accutane, contact lenses, braces or Lamisil?

 

[Booner]

I never knew that, guess I hadn't ever thought of it, but it's not too surprising. If you figure someone has the capability to decide to get married you should probably give them the chance to make their own decisions about health care. Plus, once you're married you're off starting your own new family.

 

[MirrorTodd]

I'm uncirc. and I love my turtleneck. I've thought about getting the circ. done, even had people try to talk me into it, but I just couldn't part with that part of my body. I guess I just have a fear of commitment. Anyway, my parent never taught me how to clean it and I learned on my own. I doesn't take that long to clean. I mean jeez you're already cleaning the outside. What's so hard about peeling back the skin. IT DOESN'T TAKE HOURS!!! That being said if the parents want it done fine, if a woman wants an abortion, then that's her choice and I would have no problems doing it. Basically, I would have no problem doing almost anything. Anyone have any thoughts about assisted suicide?

 

[Doula-2-OB]

So if a patient asked you to do the procedure you'd refuse due to a few personal anecdotes?

I refuse to do it because it is risky, it is cosmetic, it is removing a healthy body part from an infant who can not give his consent. I would not remove the clitoral hood for cosmetic purposes. I wouldn't trim labia.

Personal boundaries. Doesn't everyone have them?

 

[45408]

I don't understand the passionate circumcision beliefs. Are guys afraid they'll end up needing that back some day? Is there some deep freud-style angst circumcised males must live with, like they have repressed memories of the doctor yanking them from the womb and attacking their penis?

How would girls feel if we just started randomly removing parts of their genitals? Do you really need those labia anyways?

 

[Doula-2-OB]

Why would parents choose circumcision?

For the same reason that a parent would take their 12 year old with cystic acne to the dermatologist. For the same reason they would take their myopic child to the optometrist to replace glasses with contacts.

A foreskin is not a birth defect.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Well I hope while you're giving them your anti-circ. lecture you'll also be presenting the other side of the coin, the hours and hours of extra washing their child will have to do in order to keep it clean in there in order to avoid the aforementioned consequences which some seem to think only crop up in third-world countries. Keep in mind that a lot of those consequences affect others as well, who are the ones at risk of reaping the worst consequences of it all.

Well, I wouldn't lie to the parents. But doing a medical procedure because the parents are lazy (and it doesn't take hours and hours to clean a child's privates) or because they don't want to deal with a child's "private parts" because of prudishness, then how are they going to handle having a child? Besides, mutiliation in the name of saving time while washing a child is a poor choice IMHO.

 

[Its_MurDAH]

I believe the vagina is the house of the female spirit and I am morally opposed to disturbing the sanctity of the vessel.

Me too.

Unless a penis is involved somehow...then I am all for it!

 

[Booner]

What about "mutilation" in the name of preventing disease? Or how 'bout mutilation in the form of body piercing/tattoos. Is mutilation for self-expression a good choice?

Doula, I've never heard of the risky side of circ., do share.

 

[45408]

Well I hope while you're giving them your anti-circ. lecture you'll also be presenting the other side of the coin, the hours and hours of extra washing their child will have to do in order to keep it clean in there in

You've gotta be kidding me. I hope your head is shaved so you don't have to waste any time with that darn shampoo and all. I've been clipped, but I don't know what the point was. My parents' house has running water and all.

 

[LizUMD]

A foreskin is not a birth defect.

Um, neither are any of the other things I listed.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Why would parents choose circumcision?

For the same reason that a parent would take their 12 year old with cystic acne to the dermatologist. For the same reason they would take their myopic child to the optometrist to replace glasses with contacts. For the same reason that they take them to the orthodontist to get a retainer for their overbite. For the same reason they would take them to the podiatrist for chronic toenail fungal infections.

They do it because it is the cultural norm, and they do not want their child to suffer psychological damage in the future by being different than the majority of other men. Is this a "good" enough reason? Is it rational? Maybe, maybe not.

Is there really a "medical need" for Accutane, contact lenses, braces or Lamisil?

Okay, let's break this down...

Cystic Acne: could possibly cause disfigurement of the face if not treated
Myopia: well, true...you don't need to have contacts except in extreme circumstances where glass/plastic lenses would be too heavy for strong prescriptions
Misaligned Teeth: keyword "misaligned", not in proper alignment, possibly interfering with mandible growth.
Fungal Infection: keyword "infection", not supposed to be there. I've had a fungal infection for decades, and it causes very painful ingrown toenails
Prepuce: normal part of the male genitalia, might possibly lead to normal sexual sensation if left alone

Granted, there are times when a circumcision is called for. In cases where the prepuce has grown so tight that it's painful to have an erection or where it caues chronic infections (though I would suggest cosmetic surgery before just lopping it off).

 

[Booner]

You've gotta be kidding me. I hope your head is shaved so you don't have to waste any time with that darn shampoo and all. I've been clipped, but I don't know what the point was. My parents' house has running water and all.

Hey, it'd add up to hours and hours I'm sure. I hadn't thought of shampooing that way before, maybe I'll have to consider it. Although since not washing my hair won't increase my wife's chances of getting cancer maybe I'll just stop washing it and get some dreads. Anyway, that part was more of a joke. The more serious part of my comment is the preventative qualities it has. One of my nephews isn't snipped and he's had a few problems with it despite my sister teaching him about it. Little kids just don't always remember to wash everywhere very well. "Don't forget to wash behind your ears and under your foreskin." So why not snip it off in the name of preventative medicine?

 

[Empress]

I didn't circ my son because it was an elective procedure, and I am cheap. There was more to it, but it came down to money. And the ick factor.

 

[LizUMD]

Okay, let's break this down...

Cystic Acne: could possibly cause disfigurement of the face if not treated
Myopia: well, true...you don't need to have contacts except in extreme circumstances where glass/plastic lenses would be too heavy for strong prescriptions
Misaligned Teeth: keyword "misaligned", not in proper alignment, possibly interfering with mandible growth.
Fungal Infection: keyword "infection", not supposed to be there. I've had a fungal infection for decades, and it causes very painful ingrown toenails
Prepuce: normal part of the male genitalia, might possibly lead to normal sexual sensation if left alone
QUOTE]

Okay, taking the acne consequence to its extreme (disfigurement- not very likely, but I'll go with it)... even then, what would be the "medical need" for preventing said disfigurement? So that the child doesn't grow up to look different then everyone else. The fact remains that the only effect is psychological.

The vast majority of overbites do not cause any serious issues with mandible growth. I've had a huge overbite my whole life (sucked my thumb well into elementary school). Mom took me to an orthodontist when I was eleven who definitely recommened braces, but we never got them because she couldn't afford it. Guess what- I'm fine.

Toenail infections- please, entirely cosmetic. Whether it "should be there" or not, it doesn't do any harm. It just looks gross. I've had one since I was a kid, and I've never gotten an ingrown on that toe. Never heard that there was a causal link before...

All these other commonly accepted medical interventions carry some risk (accutane- that's obvious; contacts- more risk of infection than with glasses; lamisil- possible liver damage, among others) and yet no one seems to have a problem with them (myself included.)

I'm just trying to establish that parents have the socially-accepted ability to choose medical interventions for their children solely for the purpose of preventing/alleviating cosmetic and psychological discomfort, and so if this is their reason for choosing a relatively harmless and culturally accepted procedure like circumcision, then so be it.

 

[LizUMD]

Don't know how the last post came out looking like that... sorry

 

[DropkickMurphy]

It's like waitressing -- you do it for the "tips".

What did the mother say to the moil?

Keep the tip.

 

[Schaden Freud]

Hey, it'd add up to hours and hours I'm sure. I hadn't thought of shampooing that way before, maybe I'll have to consider it. Although since not washing my hair won't increase my wife's chances of getting cancer maybe I'll just stop washing it and get some dreads. Anyway, that part was more of a joke. The more serious part of my comment is the preventative qualities it has. One of my nephews isn't snipped and he's had a few problems with it despite my sister teaching him about it. Little kids just don't always remember to wash everywhere very well. "Don't forget to wash behind your ears and under your foreskin." So why not snip it off in the name of preventative medicine?

I think there are pros and cons to circumcision, but overall the cons heavily outweigh the benefits. Yes, a cut penis will be easier to clean, especially for children. But... it isn't that much more difficult to clean an extra square inch of skin. Parents should overcome their shyness about talking honestly with their children about their bodies and instill a respect for sexual health at an early age. Additionally, the studies on HPV, HIV, and Chlamydia transmission do show that partners of circumcized men are less likely to contract these pathogens, but can anyone here honestly say that circumcision is a legitimate method for dealing with these serious problems? How about pouring the circumcision money into HIV research? Or safe sex programs?
The three major problems with circumcision that I see are:
1. It significantly reduces the amount of sexual pleasure later in life. The skin removed is about as sensitive as the clitoris. Would women agree to have their clitorises cut if that meant they would be easier to clean?
2. This is a surgical procedure and does carry risk- primarily of mutilation. There are occasional cases where the penis is badly injured and needs to be removed, or requires reconstruction. Is the risk/benefit ratio acceptable here?
3. While parents do legally have power of medical consent, is it really fair to the future adult to rather wantonly remove a very valuable part of their anatomy? What if it were the cultural norm to remove an arm- would power of consent change the barbarity of that practice?

Additionally, while circumcision is popular in the States, the US is the only secular country to perform regular circumcisions; that is, for non-religious reasons.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

Oh. My. God. Get over it. You should be willing to perform circumcisions, and you should advocate for it (not against it) when explaining to patients that there are benefits from the procedure. If you think it's an archaic or pointless procedure, you are wrong - see Rafa's post on the very first page for a smackdown (including pubmed citations) on your own incorrect personal opinions or incorrect views.

 

[Schaden Freud]

Oh. My. God. Get over it. You should be willing to perform circumcisions, and you should advocate for it (not against it) when explaining to patients that there are benefits from the procedure. If you think it's an archaic or pointless procedure, you are wrong - see Rafa's post on the very first page for a smackdown (including pubmed citations) on your own incorrect personal opinions or incorrect views.

Good argument 👍 🙄

 

[Its_MurDAH]

Oh. My. God. Get over it. You should be willing to perform circumcisions, and you should advocate for it (not against it) when explaining to patients that there are benefits from the procedure. If you think it's an archaic or pointless procedure, you are wrong - see Rafa's post on the very first page for a smackdown (including pubmed citations) on your own incorrect personal opinions or incorrect views.

word

don't do it to your newborn and 10-15 years down the road he will be watching some good ol' fashioned porn and come running to you crying, going "my pee pee doesn't look like THAT man's"

what will you do then hmm?

 

[Callogician]

I am circumcised, and I have suffered significant negative consequences as a result: less sexual pleasure (known via talking with uncircumcised friends) and chronic problems with chaffing and irritation while running. I didn't do proper research, but the benefits of circumcision mentioned in this thread seem negligible by comparison.

I'm not sure whether or not I could in good conscience perform a circumcision, but I think that the parental consent argument is BS.

In India, there used to be reports of clitorectomies performed on young females to reduce their sexual pleasure to reduce the risk of infidelity. Undoubtedly, the parents in this case are exercising their fiduciary responsibility to make the best health decisions for their child in the context of their unique beliefs. However, when a procedure is patently unnecessary and/or harmful, the desires of the parent are subordinate.

By the way, I have no problem killing babies/old people or any of that other stuff.

In response to Panda Bear: The soul does not enter the zygote at the moment of conception. There is no soul. There is no God. The evidence overwhelmingly and unambiguously supports my position. If you dare to debate with me, I will lead you into a world of contradictions, demonstrating clearly that your belifs are absurd and the predictable result of bad philosophical methodology.

 

[Booner]

Believe me, my sister has no problems speaking candidly to her son. My dad's a urologist so there's never been a problem talking about anatomy in our family. I'm pretty sure most guys out there without the ol' turtleneck are still getting enough sexual pleasure. I'd like to know how many of those "occasional cases" happen each year in the US, especially those needing removal of the penis, seriously. I'm not sure you really want to go into making decisions based on what is "fair to the future adult." FYI: Today there is socially accepted barbarism directed at those "future adults" you're worried about being circumcised. It happens to millions of babies each year whose moms decide to kill them because "it's their body and nobody's going to tell them what to do with it!"

 

[Schaden Freud]

I am circumcised, and I have suffered significant negative consequences as a result: less sexual pleasure (known via talking with uncircumcised friends) and chronic problems with chaffing and irritation while running. I didn't do proper research, but the benefits of circumcision mentioned in this thread seem negligible by comparison.

I'm not sure whether or not I could in good conscience perform a circumcision, but I think that the parental consent argument is BS.

In India, there used to be reports of clitorectomies performed on young females to reduce their sexual pleasure to reduce the risk of infidelity. Undoubtedly, the parents in this case are exercising their fiduciary responsibility to make the best health decisions for their child in the context of their unique beliefs. However, when a procedure is patently unnecessary and/or harmful, the desires of the parent are subordinate.

By the way, I have no problem killing babies/old people or any of that other stuff.

In response to Panda Bear: The soul does not enter the zygote at the moment of conception. There is no soul. There is no God. The evidence overwhelmingly and unambiguously supports my position. If you dare to debate with me, I will lead you into a world of contradictions, demonstrating clearly that your belifs are absurd and the predictable result of bad philosophical methodology.

Ditto!

 

[DRDARIA]

It is somewhat unlikely that you will be asked to perform a circumcision while in med school. Chill.

Actually, it's not that uncommon. I've done two (under close supervision of course!), and some of my classmates have done more. However, I know pediatricians who won't do them. In fact, it was an issue at our hospital sometimes, getting either an OB/GYN or Pediatrician to do them if the one on call refused.

 

[71263]

word

don't do it to your newborn and 10-15 years down the road he will be watching some good ol' fashioned porn and come running to you crying, going "my pee pee doesn't look like THAT man's"

what will you do then hmm?

Exactly. That kind of emotional trauma would scar them for life.

 

[Schaden Freud]

Believe me, my sister has no problems speaking candidly to her son. My dad's a urologist so there's never been a problem talking about anatomy in our family.

Thanks for the story. Not sure how your personal family is relevant to the argument though...

I'm pretty sure most guys out there without the ol' turtleneck are still getting enough sexual pleasure.

What qualifies as enough? Point is- they are getting FAR LESS than they would be otherwise.

I'd like to know how many of those "occasional cases" happen each year in the US, especially those needing removal of the penis, seriously.

If you would like me to direct you to PubMed or Google, I would be more than happy to oblige.

I'm not sure you really want to go into making decisions based on what is "fair to the future adult." FYI: Today there is socially accepted barbarism directed at those "future adults" you're worried about being circumcised. It happens to millions of babies each year whose moms decide to kill them because "it's their body and nobody's going to tell them what to do with it!"

For sake of argument let's say those two practices are comparable. In which case, are you saying that since there is a violation of rights in one case, it makes the violation of rights in another okay!?

Thoughts...

 

[Doula-2-OB]

don't do it to your newborn and 10-15 years down the road he will be watching some good ol' fashioned porn and come running to you crying, going "my pee pee doesn't look like THAT man's"

what will you do then hmm?

Are you serious? My sons are uncirced and their father is cut. They've seen him naked and it's never even occurred to them yet that he is different. And when they do realize it, I will explain that some boys have had part of their penis removed, and that they have not. I'm betting it's not trauma they'll experience, but gratitude and relief at having all of their body parts.

As it stands, I know very few little boys today who have been circed. The intact boys FAR outnumber the circed in my circles. It's anecdotal but the circ rate is declining nationally.

Has anyone seen Doctors Opposing Circumcision?

 

[Empress]

Exactly. That kind of emotional trauma would scar them for life.

What happens when my daughter realizes her breasts don't look the ones in Cosmo? Oh dear, I should start saving for both cosmetic surgery for my children, screw college fund.

 

[Its_MurDAH]

What happens when my daughter realizes her breasts don't look the ones in Cosmo? Oh dear, I should start saving for both cosmetic surgery for my children, screw college fund.

Nah she will just end up forever hating you for giving her the flat chest gene...no biggie

 

[Booner]

1. Just thought I'd chime in with the stories since we're citing sexual pleasure of uncircumcised friends or decreased sexual pleasure of circumcised friends, etc.

2. So are you willing to subject women to a higher rate of disease so men can have more sexual pleasure? From common belief women are already on the short end of the stick when it comes to how much pleasure they actually experience (not potentially), I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate having a higher risk of said diseases just so a guy can experience more. Pretty selfish thinking all in all.

3. Sure, put a link on here and I'll check it out sometime.

4. I don't believe they're at all comparable actually. I believe that taking a human life is much more barbaric than making a small cut and taking off a piece of skin. The violation of the right to life outweighs any other in my mind, but you probably just think I'm silly for thinking that. After all a woman's right to avoid consequences of their actions trumps all, even that of life.

 

[Empress]

I think as a parent you are doomed to somehow screwing up your kids no matter how hard you try to be perfect, if circing or not circing is your particular screw up you've done a good job at parenting.

I can't think of anything I would absolutely not do as medical student or a physician because I am still pre-med. I would hope if I was involved in a procedure that I find morelly/ethically repugnant I would have the grace to remove myself without compromising patient care and professionalism.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

Good argument 👍 🙄

Awesome counter 👍 🙄

I love how people automatically think uncircumcised makes for SUCH a more pleasurable sexual experience. Yeah, circumcised men never have orgasms 🙄

Whatever, you all can think whatever the hell you want. I forgot this thread originated in preallo, so it's bloated with stupidity.

 

[Schaden Freud]

Awesome counter 👍 🙄

I love how people automatically think uncircumcised makes for SUCH a more pleasurable sexual experience. Yeah, circumcised men never have orgasms 🙄

Whatever, you all can think whatever the hell you want. I forgot this thread originated in preallo, so it's bloated with stupidity.

Almost like looking in the mirror, huh? 😀

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Little kids just don't always remember to wash everywhere very well. "Don't forget to wash behind your ears and under your foreskin." So why not snip it off in the name of preventative medicine?

So snip off both his prepuce and his auricle, then you wouldn't have to remind him to clean them both!

 

[crazy_cavalier]

Almost like looking in the mirror, huh? 😀

Yeah, that's real mature. Grow up, then try talking to me. 🙂

 

[LifetimeDoc]

I'm just trying to establish that parents have the socially-accepted ability to choose medical interventions for their children solely for the purpose of preventing/alleviating cosmetic and psychological discomfort, and so if this is their reason for choosing a relatively harmless and culturally accepted procedure like circumcision, then so be it.

Oh, I agree. Any medical procedure has risks. That's why I don't think circumcision should be preformed unless it's medically necessary. But, the other cosmetic procedures either just cost extra money for the parents or don't cause a lasting deficit for the patient. The patient isn't harmed by having straight teeth, infection-free toes, or a more pleasing appearance. But if you have part of your body lobbed off, you can't replace it without expensive, painful reconstructive surgery. All of the aforementioned procedures are "low risk", but you also have to consider the eventual consequences of the procedure. And, yes, infections are one if hygiene is not strictly followed, but so are a host of other infections for hygiene if you are circumcised.

 

[ermeyfan]

I've noticed frequent citation of decreased pleasure in circumcised men inside and out of this thread. How is this determined, anyway?

Uncut guy: Damn, that was some HOT SEX I had yesterday.
Cut guy: Oy vey, I knew I needed that!

Anyway, I'm cut, and the truth is in CERTAIN situations things get a little stretched. How does the surgeon determine how much skin to remove? Like Cal, I've had chafing problems and even skin breakage in the region in question, which from a number of perspectives can't be healthy. Isn't it possible to just cut part of the prepuce so that you're less crevice-y and gross, but still have some leeway on the stretching? I don't know much about prepuce anatomy, I've not yet had my hands on an intact penis.

 

[DrBowtie]

Are you serious? My sons are uncirced and their father is cut. They've seen him naked and it's never even occurred to them yet that he is different. And when they do realize it, I will explain that some boys have had part of their penis removed, and that they have not. I'm betting it's not trauma they'll experience, but gratitude and relief at having all of their body parts.

As it stands, I know very few little boys today who have been circed. The intact boys FAR outnumber the circed in my circles. It's anecdotal but the circ rate is declining nationally.

Has anyone seen Doctors Opposing Circumcision?

What are their ages?