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Circumcision

Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin or prepuce from the penis. The majority of circumcisions are done on religious or cultural grounds, while some are done for health reasons.

1,024 Questions

Why do Muslims circumcise?

Circumcision, though not mentioned in the Qur'an, is practiced among Islamic peoples and is most often considered to be a Sunnah (a holy tradition). The explanation for Muslim circumcision is that it is a sign of Abraham's covenant with God. This is the same explanation that is used in Judaism.

Some Muslim scholars believe circumcision is a requirement. Some others say it is not required. There is even a movement within Islam that opposes circumcision on the basis of the belief that it is a sin to alter the body in any way.

In Muslim countries where it is practiced circumcision usually pre-dates Islam. For instance, there are records of it being common in Egypt as far back as the Sixth Dynasty (2345 - 2181 BC).
Because Gods wanted all descendants of Abraham to be circumcised.

What is routine circumcision?

The concept of routine circumcision means an infant has the prepuce amputated for no medical reason whatsoever in order to avoid the possibility of future health problem with the foreskin. The problem is that foreskin problems are rare at the worst of times .

Can you get smegma if you're circumcised?

No. Both circumcised and uncircumcised penises can transmit sexually transmitted diseases, Statisticaly the risks are higher with circumcised penises.

This is why it is important to use condoms during sex to prevent the transmission of diseases.

There is little to no evidence that aside from some very minor infections such as candida infections , being passed on that there is any difference, aids gonorrhea syphilis etc are all passed as easily either way

Should you get circumcised as a teen?

No no boy should be circumcised as there is no sound reason for his penis to be mutilated It is harmful to his health as well as to his sexual performance from both a personal and a partners point of view. no reputable health organization in the world recommends circumcision.

I think in high school he is old enough to make that decision himself. It's his body. Just make sure he knows what it entails.

there are no benefits involved in being circumcised and a boy in high school in large portions of the USA wil find he will be misinformed by much of the US medical fraternity as they make big dollars from encouraging this barbaric practice.

What are the reasons for circumcision?

There is no medical reason for circumcision and the medical reason that started the ball rolling in this department in English speaking country's was a result of a belief held by the British medical fraternity. They claimed that many diseases ranging from syphilis to insanity were the result of male masturbation. They also advised that the best way to stop boys from beginning to masturbate was to remove their foreskin. Many of the public in the colonies and other English speaking country's fell for it hook line and sinker . The reasoning for circumcision changed over the years and people continued to mutilate their children's genitalia until late in the 20th century. Today the practice has been just about abandoned in all country but the USA where there is still strong marketing in an attempt to continue this barbaric practice. Less then 20% of the worlds men are circumcised and most of these have it done for religious reasons. The need for the amputation of the foreskin is rare.

But above all if a circumcision is done it should be done by choice. The vast majority of circumcisions are done to children many younger then 9 days old and with little or no anesthetic. for these boys there is no choice. for these boys circumcision is an assault on the integrity of their body.

There are multiple so called reasons for circumcision, most of them are for religious and cultural reasons. some are ostensibly for medical reasons and some are cosmetic.

First, there are very few conditions that require the amputation of the foreskin, phimosis is said to be a reason unscrupulous doctors (a foreskin that is too tight to retract over the glans) however this can be easily overcome with stretching exercises and the use of hormonal skin cremes. balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and the foreskin). this is also easily treated with antibiotics and a lesson in foreskin care. Many times doctors will recommend circumcision rather then prescribing other treatments due to long held beliefs that the foreskin is superfluous, or as a result of their own deep seated resentment at being circumcised a case of the abuser coming back to abuse. however, there are other treatments. Of course, there are ailments that do require the removal of the foreskin. However these are rare Just make sure that you ask your doctor for all the information.

Then, there are also cosmetic reasons. Membership in some religions require circumcision. Also, many parents think that their boys should "look like dad".

There is much debate of circumcision and whether it is a medically sound procedure. this debate only seems to be held in the united States and some of the English speaking nations However. Most of the world sees this procedure as Male genital mutilation. There is evidence that circumcision reduces the chances of contracting HIV, but then, there is also evidence that men who have had their foreskin removed experience less sexual pleasure due to the keratinization of the glans due to continued friction with clothing.

It is a serious and important decision that all parents of boys need to think over. It is also something that more and more men are being faced with as pediatricians are moving away from this practice in favor of letting the boys choose later in life whether or no to have this cosmetic surgery performed on them.

Are circumcisions mandatory?

The reply on this page was full of URL's which is not permitted So I have placed the whole contents of this reply on the discussion page to this answer with the URS'sif you are interested in following them up.

No, it isn't. There is no medical association in the world which recommends it on health grounds. It is not needed for the baby to be healthy. The foreskin is a functioning part of the penis. Without it it doesn't work as it should. It also makes after care harder, there is risk of complications and it inhibits the mother-son bond because the boy will be in discomfort for some time. as a mater of fact the operation can lead to post traumatic stress syndrome with serious psychological ramifications. Here is some more information:

Have a watch of this 20 minute video by the nocirc organisation. It is very informative:

In regards to care. Care is a lot easier with intact, (non circumcised) boys as there is nothing to do. The foreskin is not retractable in infancy so it should be left alone. No cleaning under it or pulling it back is required. This medical page explains further:

Circumcised boys actually require a lot more care.

Firstly, all newly circumcised boys are in discomfort because there is an open wound. The wound is susceptible to infection. It can also become irritated by ammonia in the urine - which provides more discomfort for the baby.

One common problem is a skin bridge. The skin left over after the foreskin is severed can reattach to another part of the penis the torn surface of the glans for example. resulting in an adhesion (see link below for pictures of this and other complications). Very little of this is told to you. Do you really want all this hassle when there is no need for it?

(Look around the circumcision site - it has a wealth of information.)

The psychological effects of circumcision are open to dispute, but I cannot imagine them being anything other than negative. It certainly won't help you bond with your child - especially in those crucial early months:

(Look around the cirp site- it has a wealth of information.)

The foreskin serves a sexual purpose. The negative sexual effects are rarely mentioned or worse, denied. Circumcision removes a functioning part of the penis. Many circumcised men do not even know what they have lost - especially in the USA where it can be a taboo topic - what with men having fragile egos and all.

As someone with a foreskin, I value it. It contains many specialized nerves on it's underside. When the foreskin is moved up and down it is very pleasurable and prompts the release of all sorts of feel-good hormones. Circumcised men cannot masturbate as easily as there is no gliding effect. If they try it without an artificial lubricant then it may chafe , become red and sore. I think this is terrible - to worsen the sexual lives of someone without their consent. This site shows the movement of the foreskin in masturbation (graphic). It also contains a 20 minute video on the function of the foreskin:

Without the foreskin protecting the glans, circumcised men lose further sensitivity. The glans (head of the penis) dries out. It also brushes on underwear which causes the skin to toughen -sort of like when you walk bear feet - the skin hardens. This page shows pictures (graphic):

There are good reasons to believe that sex is better for the woman as well, if the man has his foreskin intact: This site is an educational one on why it is

Men in Britain, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy, along with the rest of Europe don't get circumcised and they all do as good if not better than countries where circumcision is more common. So all in all it is best to be as nature intended. No medical association actually recommends non therapeutic infant circumcision. Check out this site for frequently asked questions:

Here is some other information you might find useful:

History: Non religious circumcision only started in English speaking countries in the late 1800's. The main reason was to prevent masturbation. More info can be found at this at this site:

Rates of circumcision:

In Canada and Australia the rate has dropped to less than 10%. In Britain the rate is less than 1%. Only 20-25% of the world are circumcised, 2/3 of these are Muslim.

Can a 2 year old get circumcised?

It's generally not a good idea to have a child circumcised unless there is a medical reason for it.

No major medical body recommends the routine circumcision of infants or boys. Circumcision generally should not be performed unless there is a medical reason making it necessary. Circumcision has risks including pain, prolonged bleeding, infection, complications of sedation or anesthesia, and surgical error resulting in damage to the penis. Circumcision has also been shown to reduce the sensitivity of the penis, making sex less pleasurable.

It's normal for a 3 year old to have a foreskin that can not yet be pulled back. Most boys foreskins can be pulled back by puberty, and if your son's foreskin can't be pulled back at age 3, this is completely normal and not a reason for circumcision.

Circumcision of small children is especially difficult because it requires that they have general anesthesia since they will not sit still while the surgeon cuts the penis. General anesthesia (meaning your child will be asleep) adds $2000 to $2500 in expense to the procedure and introduces the risks of additional complications from the anesthesia. As circumcision is an elective procedure, it is generally not covered by any health insurance.

Infant circumcision is easy because the infant can easily be held down during the surgery, but such events can be traumatic for young children. Since your 3 year old has not been circumcised already, the best medical decision would be not to circumcise him at this time. If he wants to be circumcised later in life, he can always make that choice himself, and you will avoid risk general anesthesia for your child.

Does circumcision hurt?

Yes, it does hurt. For some men it is exceedingly painful in the days following surgery. Swelling and pain are normal following surgery. Prolonged bleeding and infection are also possible adverse events following circumcision.

If a man wants to have circumcision for cosmetic reasons, he should be informed for the usually outcomes and possible adverse events that can occur following the surgery.

Do you have to get circum cised?

Absolutely not. The practice of circumcision is a religious rite dating back to before the Egyptians it was taken up by the Jews then the Muslims and is also practiced by a few other primitive cultures throughout the world. so called medical reasoning was introduced in English speaking society's by the English and was promoted in an effort to stop boy from masturbating. this practice was held responsible for causing disease and insanity. over time the reasoning for maintaining this form of genital mutilation changed it never the less has not yet been stamped out. No mainstream medical fraternity anywhere in the world recommends it. It is in fact a practice that damages the penis for all time. the foreskin protects the sensitive glans penis from mechanical damage as well as infection it also serves many other purposes. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE CIRCUMCISED Les then 20% of the men in the world are not intact. (circumcised)

Is circumcision bad?

Yes, circumcision is a bad thing. The need for the removal of the prepuce (foreskin is very rare. and the foreskin plays an important part in the way the penis functions. Approximately 15% of the worlds men are circumcised and most of these are done is children when they have no choice in the matter. ti is also done to some males (as infants) in some of the English speaking cultures. Have a read of the information in the related link below. ( The case against circumcision) if you want to know more about it. Circumcision is a wasteful and harmful form of "Male Genital Mutilation" especially when inflicted on infants as is usually the case.

Yes, it is . when you take into account that the vast majority of men have intact genitalia because the intact penis works better. It is a bad thing to take an infant and amputate a part of its body from it for in the majority of cases religious and cultural reasons. a small group are done for falsely attested medical reasons Such as those in the USA . The foreskin is an important part of the male genitalia and the male sexual health no one has the right to deprive a non consenting child of it unless that child's life is threatened by its existence.

No, it's not a bad thing. To each his own, I say. A lot of men are circumcised, and a lot of men aren't. I would venture a guess that those who are circumcised had it forced upon them when they were babies, so they had no choice.

There are a number of arguments for and against circumcision, generally originating from a cultural or religious bias. The American Academy of Pediatrics, while they do not recommend routine circumcision, state that the benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks. Among the benefits they cite are easier hygiene, decreased risk of urinary tract infections, decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections, prevention of penile problems, and decreased risk of penile cancer. The question, as stated, is loaded with a judgemental "good versus bad" element, but this is not a "good or bad" question. Perhaps a better way to address the question is from the risk/benefit aspect, taking into account one's religious and cultural considerations.

How much it cost for circumsision for a two year old?

This can vary widely. If the procedure is not medically necessary, it will not be covered by insurance. Without general anesthesia it will cost between $500 and $1000. With general anesthesia it will cost between $2000 and $3000. For a 14 year old boy, general anesthesia should be used.

Should male babies get circumcised?

Never, it is his penis, not mine. If he wants it done when he is adult he can, but if he is sensible he won't. It is done to damage the pleasures of sexual activity, Jews, Muslims, and the 19th century doctors who started it all admitted that.

Not only is it very bad for the boy, and the man he will become, it is also illegal in the USA and the UK! (Many other countries as well) Check out the legislation regarding inflicting deliberate injury on another person. Look at the UK Offences against the person Act of 1861, and there is similar protection for children in the USA. But the authorities lack the guts to prosecute the perpetrators unless the child is a girl, because there are too many Jewish lawyers and judges, and politicians who are afraid to lose support in elections.

Psychological Effects of Circumcision StudiedAn article titled "The Psychological Impact of Circumcision" reports that circumcision results in behavioral changes in infants and long-term unrecognized psychological effects on men. The piece reviews the medical literature on infants' responses to circumcision and concludes, "there is strong evidence that circumcision is overwhelmingly painful and traumatic." The article notes that infants exhibit behavioral changes after circumcision, and some men have strong feelings of anger, shame, distrust, and grief about having been circumcised. In addition, circumcision has been shown to disrupt the mother-infant bond, and some mothers report significant distress after allowing their son to be circumcised. Psychological factors perpetuate circumcision. According to the author, "defending circumcision requires minimizing or dismissing the harm and producing overstated medical claims about protection from future harm. The ongoing denial requires the acceptance of false beliefs and misunderstanding of facts. These psychological factors affect professionals, members of religious groups, and parents involved in the practice."

Expressions from circumcised men are generally lacking because most circumcised men do not understand what circumcision is, emotional repression keeps feelings from awareness, or men may be aware of these feelings but afraid of disclosure. Goldman, R., "The Psychological Impact of Circumcision," BJU 83 (1999): suppl. 1: 93-102

When do Jewish boys get circumcised?

In the Jewish religious tradition it is done at eight days of age. Muslims can do it anytime before puberty, and the elective non religious circumcisions which are still popular in the US are performed within the first two days of being born. However regardless of the reason there are no medical reasons for this procedure, other than the prevention of cancer, the prevention of urinary tract infection, and the hindrance of AIDS.

  • Professors Cochen and McCurdy state that the incidence of penile cancer in the U.S. is "essentially zero" among circumcised men.
  • Studies at Johns Hopkins University Medical School in Baltimore have concluded that circumcised men are six to eight times less likely to become infected with HIV (Reuters, March 25, 2004).
  • Circumcised boys are also 10 to 39 times less likely to develop urinary tract infections during infancy than uncircumcised boys. As a result of studies like these, a number of prestigious medical organizations such as the California Medical Association have recognized the benefits of circumcision.

What is the difference between circumsized and un circumsized?

well when a man has been circumsized it means his foreskin has been removed for either religious reasons or through choice. So the difference between the two is that uncircumsized males have foreskin. In some cases it is for religious reasons. In others, it is for the reduction of future health issues as the uncircumcised penis requires a great deal more care in maintaining cleanliness than the circumcised penis. The area inside the sheath remains very moist and warm, and provides an extremely ideal environment for the incubation of harmful organisms. Years from now people will be amazed that we still practiced genital mutilation on young boys in this century. Circumcision started in the Old Testament Genesis:17:9-15 Biblical times back in the times God told Abram he would rule to all nations and be a powerful king. Abram could not produce the seed to have a child that was one of God's blessing to perform that miracle for Abram & Hager his wife.

After this, circumcision became a token of the covenant (promise) God & Abram (later renamed to Abraham) had for each other as to others that would seek God. And promise by the Lord shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant lasting in a permanent way as to remember the promise God gave to all man.

Forsaking the flesh of your foreskin is a token of the promise the Lord has made, and to make sure you acknowledge that promise and believe in him he has asked us to do so.

How old are Jewish boys when circumcised?

This is a tradition that goes back thousands of years. It is a requirement of Torah-law (Genesis 17:9-14) and is a part of the covenant with God. All major denominations of Judaism keep the practice circumcision, including even Reform Judaism.
There is a small fringe group of non-religious Jews who are opting out of circumcision.

  • Answer 2
The origin of Jewish circumcision is in the Torah, which is the foundation of Judaism. God told Abraham "every male among you shall be circumcised" as part of the covenant between God and the Jewish people (Genesis ch.17). Since that time, virtually all Jews have observed the command of circumcision for close to four millennia, even in times of religious persecution under the Greeks, Romans, Spaniards, and Soviets. Circumcision is the indelible sign of God's covenant and is just as important as Yom Kippur in terms of the stringency which the Torah places upon it.
It may be noted that while we do not keep God's commands because of physical benefits, it is still interesting that circumcision has been known to offer virtually complete protection from penile cancer. According to a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine, none of the more than 1,600 persons studied with this cancer had been circumcised in infancy. In the words of researchers Cochen and McCurdy, the incidence of penile cancer in the U.S. is "essentially zero" among circumcised men. Also, research at Johns Hopkins University Medical School in Baltimore have shown that circumcised men are six to eight times less likely to become infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Researchers believe that protection is due to the removal of the foreskin, which contains cells that have HIV receptors which scientists suspect are the primary entry point for the HIV virus (Reuters, March 25, 2004).
Several studies reported that circumcised boys were between 10 to 39 times less likely to develop urinary tract infections during infancy than uncircumcised boys. In addition, circumcision protects against bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections and a variety of other conditions related to hygiene.
The extremely low rate of cervical cancer in Jewish women (9 to 22 times less than among non-Jewish women) is thought to be related to their husbands' being circumcised. As a result of studies like these, a number of prestigious medical organizations such as the California Medical Association have recognized the benefits of circumcision.
As an operation, circumcision has an extremely small complication rate. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine (1990) reported a complication rate of 0.19 percent when circumcision is performed by a physician. When performed by a trained mohel, the rate falls to 0.13 percent or about 1 in 800. When a complication occurs, it is usually due to the bleeding, which is easily correctable. No other surgical procedure can boast such figures for complication-free operations.
One reason why there are so few complications involving bleeding may be that the major clotting agents, prothrombin and vitamin K, do not reach peak levels in the blood until the eighth day after a baby is born. Prothrombin levels are normal at birth, drop to a lower level in the next few days, and return to normal at the end of the first week. One study showed that by the eighth day, prothrombin levels reach 110 percent of normal. In the words of Dr. Armand J. Quick, author of several works on the control of bleeding, "It hardly seems accidental that the rite of circumcision was postponed until the eighth day by the Mosaic law."

Should an infant be circumcised?

No major medical association recommends routine circumcision of infant boys. Circumcision caries with it serious risks of adverse outcomes including prolonged bleeding and infection. Circumcision also removes a normal part of the male genitals that functions to protect the delicate head of the penis. Removal of the foreskin can cause decreased sensitivity of the penis and pleasure during sexual intercourse. For these reasons most physicians recommend against circumcision. An uncircumcised penis requires no care until the boy can retract the foreskin, usually by age 3. He should simply wash the head of the penis with soap and water during his regular bath or shower just like any other part of the body. If you wish to have your newborn circumcised without anesthesia, it will cost $400-$500 (U.S. dollars). The cost depends on where you live. Infant circumcision is not covered by national health care in places like the United Kingdom and Canada. Infant circumsion is also not covered by most health insurances in the United States. While most infant circumcisions do not have serious complications, there are risks to the procedure, including pain, bleeding, and infection. Every year in the United States, there are a substantial numbers of deaths due to infant circumcision, most of which result from infection. There are also a significant number of irreversible injuries to the penis that occur during circumcision each year. Circumcision is far less common now in the United States than it once was. During the 1970s and 1980, around 80% of male infants were circumcised in the United States. A study conducted in the United States from 2005-2007 found that circumcision rates had fallen to below 40% in most of the United States. In the western United States, fewer than 25% of infant males were circumcised in 2005-2007.

How much does a circumcision cost for 5 year old in Missouri?

A circumcision of a 5 year old will not be covered under most insurance plans as it is not a medically necessary procedure, and in fact it may pose a risk of serious complications to the boy. The fees for circumcision can range from about $500 to $1000. If general anesthesia is used (and it should be for a 5 year old), it will cost about $2000 to $3000.

Are most Cuban penises circumcised?

Les then 20% of Bolivians are circumcised

World Health Organization figures (Which have been used to make some of these estimates) have to be looked at with caution though as they are a pro circumcision organization that has a reputation for distorting the prevalence of circumcision upwards. Odds are that the prevalence is much lower as there is no religious or cultural tradition related to circumcision in this country.

How much do circumcisions cost in California?

depending on the doctor the pricing would start at $3,000

How much does a circumcision cost in Arizona for age 2?

Circumcision is not covered by health insurance as it is not a medically necessary procedure so you will have to pay for the full cost yourself out of pocket. Circumcision with general anesthesia should cost between $2000 and $3000. This includes the doctor performing the procedure and the anesthesiologist. Circumcision of adults is less expensive, as adults can opt to have only local anesthesia. However, if you are 15, I would advise you to wait a few more years before you consider having a circumcision. Often teen age boys are uncomfortable with being uncircumcised and request circumcision for cosmetic reasons. In my practice, I've found that young men who are circumcised for cosmetic reasons sometimes regret their decision later, not only because of the pain and discomfort associated with the recovery, but also because they realize their reasons for circumcision were more to "fit in" than for any other reason. Circumcision has no known medical benefit, and most doctors recommend against routine infant circumcision. Circumcision, like all surgeries, has risks of adverse medical events including surgical error, prolonged bleeding, infection, and pain. A permanent decrease in penile sensitivity and sexual pleasure is also common since circumcision removes the foreskin, which protects the sensitive glans (head) of the penis. Circumcision is extremely rare in the world outside the United States. Circumcision was once routine in the United States, but this trend has reversed as parents and doctors are increasingly deciding against infant circumcision. In 1980 over 80% of newborns in the United States were circumcised while in 2007 less than 40% of infants were circumcised. If you are 15 and you have phimosis, a tight foreskin that can not be retracted, I'd suggest that you consult a urologist who can prescribe a steroid cream (like hydrocortisone) which can be used during stretching exercised to help expand the opening of the foreskin. In my experience, this works in most cases and patients are able to avoid the discomfort and possible complications of circumcision.

Should you be circumsized?

Unless there's a medical reason for it you shouldn't.

Are most German penises circumcised?

Circumcision is practiced by Jews, Muslims and others wherever they want to do so for medical or religious reasons. Most Germans are uncircumcised; but a claim made by another WikiAnswers member stating that circumcision is not allowed in Germany, is untrue:http://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2012/42042381_kw50_de_beschneidung/210238

Do Brazilians get circumcised?

some are some are not as in most countries.

How do you circumcise myself?

Against better judgement.

It'd hurt like you wouldn't believe, and if you get it wrong, the scarring can prevent you from function sexually. If it gets infected, more tissue may have to be trimmed off.

If you really feel that you need a circumcision (a questionable decision by itself), have a proper doctor do it, under clean surgery conditions.