Fast Facts on Circumcision

• Circumcision is a clinical procedure wherein the foreskin or the sheath of skin tissue that covers the head of the penis is taken off.
  
  
• The age where one is subjected to circumcision varies. Some countries normally conduct infant circumcision a few days after birth. Other countries wait until the child reaches 5 to 10 years of age before they get circumcised.
  
  
• There must be a parental consent before the procedure is conducted.
  
  
• Circumcision is generally conducted among boys. However, some countries in Africa still practice female circumcision. Several human rights organizations are appealing for the end of this practice.
  
  
• Circumcision has been conducted since the earliest time as part of religious ceremony or a rite of passage for boys into adulthood. To this day, Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim boys are still subjected to circumcision due to religious and cultural reasons.
  
  
• 80% of the world's male population is not circumcised.
  
  
• 50% of males in North America are not circumcised.

Health Reasons

• Based on clinical studies, circumcision prevents infection and foreskin inflammation.
  
  
• Circumcision also decreases the risk of penis cancer.
  
  
• Studies also show that women whose partners are circumcised have lesser risk of getting cervical cancer and of acquiring HPV or human papillomavirus if their partners are infected.
  
  
• A circumcised man has lower risk of transferring sexually transmitted infection to his sexual partner.
  
  
• Based on clinical studies, warm and moist areas such as under the foreskin of the penis are ideal breeding ground for microorganisms thereby increasing the risk of contracting and developing infections and sexually transmitted diseases for men who are uncircumcised.

For Hygiene Purposes

• The American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed circumcision until 1998 since a penis without foreskin is easier to clean. However, recent studies show that for as long as the penis is properly cleaned, the contraction of infection is not higher on men who were not circumcised than those whose foreskin was removed.
  
  
• Based on researches, those who were circumcised have lesser incidence of urinary tract infection due to the fact that a circumcised penis is easier to clean.

The Controversy Behind Circumcision

• Those who are against the continuation of circumcision claims that the removal of the penis' foreskin can reduce sexual sensation thus lessen sexual satisfaction during intercourse.
  
  
• Another reason why circumcision is being opposed is due to the pain and trauma associated with the procedure.
  
  
• The most opposed procedure is female circumcision wherein the clitoris, labia minora, and/or labia majora of the female organ is partially or totally removed. This is conducted in some parts of Africa, in Middle East countries, and some areas in Southeast Asia as part of religious or cultural requirement.
  
  
• Clinical studies show that the removal of foreskin can obstruct urine flow due to the blockage of the urethra's opening.
  
  
• About 100 boys per year die out of infection, blood loss, and infection due to circumcision.
  
  
• Some private insurance companies in some parts of the United States no longer consider circumcision as part of its health and medical coverage.