There has always been an ardent debate regarding penis circumcision, especially the use of circumcision for medical or health reasons that continues to be researched. Dividing the world into two groups of people who believe circumcision of the penis is necessary and not, there is actually no answer to one being the sole winner. However, many religions have been performing circumcision of the penis among the male infants right after birth, such as Muslims and the Jews whereas other communities such the Hindus or Christians don't circumcise the penis as a part of their religious ritual per se. However, let's take a look at the difference between both circumcised and uncircumcised penises and the pros and cons of having both the types of penises. Some Danes Seek to Limit Male Circumcision to 18 and over.

What is Circumcision of Penis?

Circumcision of the penis is the process of surgically removing the foreskin from the penis. As a part of the circumcision, the foreskin is freed from the head of the penis usually right after the child is born. The excess foreskin is clipped off, and the process doesn't take more than 10 minutes. After that, the circumcision is left to be healed on its own in five to seven days. The process is usually carried out by professionals and is avoided in older children and men.

Is Circumcision Important?

Circumcision has been a debated topic for a long time. All this while cultural, religious, medical emergencies and personal preferences have played a significant role is people opting for circumcision of the penis for themselves or their children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) the health benefits of newborn male circumcision surpasses the risks; however, the benefits are not enough to make circumcision of penis among male infants a universal advisory. Parents can talk to doctors and decide whether they want to go ahead with circumcision of their child's penis.

Advantages of Male Circumcision

  1. Older boys and men may undergo circumcision to treat phimosis- which is a problem faced by many uncircumcised me-the inabilities to retract the foreskin. They are also at a lowered risk of paraphimosis which is the inability to return the foreskin to its original location.

  2. Circumcision is known to help treat an infection of the penis better.

  3. People with a circumcised penis are at a decreased risk of urinary tract infections.

  4. Circumcision also helps to prevent various sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) in men.

  5. A few studies also believe that circumcision can help protect men against penile cancer.

  6. They also put their female sex partners at a reduced risk of cervical cancer.

  7. Penis circumcision helps prevent balanitis which is a type of inflammation of the glans and balanoposthitis which is an inflammation of the glans as well as the foreskin.

  8. Probably the one benefits that most of the above benefits are based on is that circumcision makes it easier to keep the end of the penis clean and is an excellent way of maintaining hygiene.

Male Circumcision and HIV

One of the most important benefits of male circumcision is that it reduces the risk of HIV. According to the World Health Organisation, there is compelling evidence that male circumcision can reduce the risk of "heterosexually acquired HIV infection" in men by approximately 60%. Male circumcision provided by well-trained health professionals in properly equipped settings is safe and WHO/UNAIDS recommendations "emphasise that male circumcision should be considered an efficacious intervention for HIV prevention in countries and regions with heterosexual epidemics, high HIV and low male circumcision prevalence."

However, like any surgical processes, circumcision is also associated with some problems and discomfort.

Circumcision Cons

  1. Increased risk of meatitis which is an inflammation at the opening of the penis because of the top of the penis being continuously exposed.

  2. Sometime may also cause pain.

  3. If the process is not done the right way, the risk of bleeding and infection at the site of the circumcision.

  4. Glans irritation.

  5. The risk of penis injury may increase.

Circumcision of the penis is the surgical removal of the foreskin which is the tissue covering the head aka the glans of the penis and the procedure needs to be carried out by an expert medical professional only.

(This article is written for an informative purpose and should not be substituted for medical advice. Kindly consult your doctor before trying any tips.)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2019 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).