Should You Postpone Circumcision For Health Reasons?
Circumcision is something that most males are familiar with, however it may be difficult to decide whether you should have it performed. There are many reasons why this procedure is considered necessary and not optional, so you need to make sure you understand all of the factors before making a decision.
Penile cancer is less likely when circumcision is performed
Circumcision has been suggested to lower the risk for penile cancer. However, the underlying causes are not well understood. This paper will present the epidemiological evidence currently available and discuss possible mechanisms underlying the association between circumcisions and penile carcinoma.
The incidence of penile cancer is relatively low in the United States. However, it is very common in many African nations. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including unprotected sex, infection, and lack of penile hygiene. Penile cancer occurs mostly in older men. If the cancer is found early, it is usually treatable. Early stage cancer should not be spread.
According to American Cancer Society, men with circumcision have a lower risk for developing penile cancer than men without circumcision. There are several factors that increase the risk of developing penile cancer, including age, cigarette smoking, and sexual behavior. Other factors that may be involved include the human papillomavirus, which is more common in men with uncircumcised foreskin. HPV plays a significant role in the development of invasive cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma. HPV, however, does not appear to play a significant role in the development adenocarcinoma.circumcision procedures in adelaide
Some experts believe that infant circumcision may reduce the risk for penile cancer. The American Academy of Pediatrics Circumcision Task Force however has not confirmed the hypothesis. However, there are many studies that support this possibility.
It has been suggested that circumcision can reduce the risk of HIV, bladder infections and other sexually transmitted diseases. It is believed to reduce the risk of phimosis which can cause skin inflammations and recur. Men who were circumcised as children are more likely to be free from an HPV infection. This is thought to play a part in the development penile cancer.
Circumcision is not shown to protect against sex related cancers such as syphilis. It is possible to prevent the development these conditions but it is not clear how. A new study suggests that men who have been circumcised since birth are less likely to develop these conditions.
Numerous epidemiological studies examined the relationship between male circumcision and various health risks. One study shows that circumcised males are less likely to develop cervical cancer in their current female partners. Another study found a lower rate of cervical cancer in monogamous women who had a circumcised woman than in women who had an uncircumcised companion.
Researchers have also examined the effects of circumcisions on PSA levels. Oliver RT investigated the relationship between circumcision and PSA levels in a group of STD clinic patients. He found that men who have had their PSA levels cleared by circumcision have a higher success rate than men who haven’t.
Infancy UTI risk is lower when circumcision is performed
Circumcision reduces the risk for urinary tract infections in boys, especially in their first year. UTIs are caused when bacteria enters the bloodstream and ascends the urethra. Infections can often be caused by bacteria that enters the bloodstream from the mother’s gastrointestinal system during pregnancy or delivery. Staphylococcus bacteria can also be colonized in infants born at hospital. It is difficult for bacteria to colonize the urethral opening.
The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses the benefits of routine circumcision. However the AAP doesn’t recommend routine circumcision. However, in 1999, the Ad Hoc Task Force on Circumcision at the AAP reported an 11-fold increase on UTIs in uncircumcised children. It is possible that the difference in UTIs was due to premature birth, which puts babies at higher risk of infection.
There have been several studies on the impact of circumcision on the incidence of UTI in boys. The majority of contemporary series report complication rates lower than 0.5%. These estimates are based upon observational data and can be subjected to selection bias.
A recent meta-analysis that included 11 observational studies as well as one randomised controlled trial focused on the relationship between UTIs and circumcision. Researchers found that boys who had undergone circumcision experienced a significantly lower rate of UTIs. Their study also revealed that both premature infants, as well as infants who have had previous UTIs, experienced lower rates of UTIs due to circumcision.
Another meta-analysis examined 69,100 eligible males who were born between 1993 and 1994. The researchers estimated that it would take 195 circumcisions to prevent one UTI. The lifetime prevalence of UTI was also calculated by the researchers. This figure was 3.7x lower for the circumcised group.
As a result of these studies, the AAP stopped short of recommending neonatal circumcision. However, physicians continue to test newborn males for UTI.
A Canadian cohort study showed that UTI rates were 3.7 times lower for boys who had been circumcised. The risk of developing UTI in boys with severe vesicoureteric reflux was 30%.
Many societies have expressed concern over the risk to benefits ratio of circumcision. Although current data indicates that UTIs are less common in circumcised boys as compared to normal infants in the United States, the net clinical benefit of circumcision is unlikely to be significant.
Propensity score matching can be used to reduce bias in studies. These measures might not always be successful. There are other analytic methods that can be used. Some studies have included clinical data to reduce the chance of hidden bias.
A study of boys who had UTIs in their teens and preteens found that circumcision reduced the risk of having recurrent UTIs by half. Recurrent UTIs were more common in boys with a history. Overall, the risk of having a recurrent UTI was 10 times higher for uncircumcised males.
Circumcision won’t be decided soon
Circumcision is a medical procedure that is typically performed on newborn boys. It is usually performed within a week to two weeks after their birth. Most babies can be circumcised with minimal difficulty, although some infants may require a post-operative hospital stay.
Parents must weigh the pros & cons when deciding whether or not to circumcise a child. Parents should weigh the medical information within the context of their religious beliefs. The benefits are often greater than the risks in most instances. The best way to make this decision is to consult with a doctor, who can explain the procedure. However, even with a competent physician, circumcisions can go wrong.
The benefits of circumcision are well-documented. The risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) is one in 100 in uncircumcised infants. The likelihood of genital warts is slightly lower in circumcised males. A study found that circumcision decreased the risk of trichomonas and HPV infections. These illnesses are more common in men who have never been circumcised. However, circumcision does not seem to protect against other STIs.
Some studies show that circumcision may lower your risk of contracting HIV. However, this is a small benefit. It’s worth noting that the health benefits of routine circumcision are not enough to justify routine sterilization for all newborn males.
A systematic review and meta-analysis randomized controlled trials also found that circumcision was not associated with a lower risk of erectile dysfunction. Others have shown that circumcision may reduce the risk for other STIs such as chlamydia.
There are also other risks. One of these is circumcision, which can lead to a loss or sensitivity to certain pheromones. Another possibility is that a boy could develop meatal stasis. This is when the opening of your penis becomes narrowed, or obstructed. Depending on how severe the condition is, minor corrective surgeries might be necessary.
When you decide to circumcise your child, the safety of your baby is the most important factor. Before you make a decision, ask your surgeon questions. While many doctors advise against circumcision in newborns, it is not always recommended. Some doctors may recommend postponement if the baby’s health is poor or if he/she is in pain.
A circumcision can go wrong, as with all medical procedures. However, with modern anesthetic techniques, the procedure is not as traumatizing as it once was. The doctor may use a local anesthetic to numb the penis during the procedure. A small cut might be made in the skin of the foreskin to relieve pressure.
In general, it is a good idea to discuss the pros & cons of circumcision with your doctor. Make sure you check with your insurance provider to see if the procedure is covered. Also, don’t forget to ask about the potential complications.