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chichi layor What does circumcision mean to you? You may not have any experience of it yourself, particularly if you’re a woman, but then again, if you’re a mother, you may have a son who was circumcised. You may have an opinion on the subject or you may not, but if you are squeamish, you probably shouldn’t read any further. Let’s start with some definitions. Please note that this article is about male circumcision – we’ll leave the more varied and more controversial female circumcision for another time. Male circumcision is “the amputation of the prepuce (aka foreskin) from the rest of the penis, resulting in permanent alteration of the anatomy, histology and function of the penis…” (Stehr M, et al in “Circumcision – criticism of the routine”). So to speak plainly, the foreskin is cut off. It is a specialized, sensitive functional organ of touch that contains a rich concentration of blood vessels and nerve endings....Read the full article.

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You have probably not listened to your female friends before, please ask them again how they feel about seeing an uncircumcised man naked. Many have told me they can't even stand the sight and they couldn't even imagine having to push back the prepuce for the man during fore-play. Not circumcising It is not cosmetically good neither is it medically correct(lots of works have been done in this regard). Asking if nature gave the fore skin for no reason is no justification for retaining it because it is not the only useless organ in man's anatomy. The appendix is of no funtional importance in man and it was once the practice(not sure if it is still done since I went into psychiatry some years back) that the appendix should be removed at any slight opportuinity of getting into the abdominal cavity.


Male circumcision for HIV prevention
There is compelling evidence that male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%. Three randomized controlled trials have shown that male circumcision provided by well trained health professionals in properly equipped settings is safe. WHO/UNAIDS recommendations emphasize 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. Male circumcision provides only partial protection, and therefore should be only one element of a comprehensive HIV prevention package which includes:

the provision of HIV testing and counseling services;
treatment for sexually transmitted infections;
the promotion of safer sex practices;
the provision of male and female condoms and promotion of their correct and consistent use.
WHO is leading UN Agencies (UNAIDS, UNICEF and UNFPA) to set norms and standards, develop policy and programme guidance for safe male circumcision services and support countries to develop male circumcision policies and strategies within the context of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy.

http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/malecircumcision/en/index.html

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@ Tundee mee

I thought the writer pleaded not to be personally attacked.

I had the responsibility of holding the thighs of my first son apart for the gruesome act of circumcision. I watched the entire process with horror and fear. Though the writer failed to say that the chances of a botched male circumcision is very rare but the merits too are clumsy. I am Igbo and male circumcision is traditional amongst Igbos and not religous so I picked up the phone the night of my sons circumcision and called my parents asking for more justification of male circumcision. The new testament clearly explains that male circumcision is not a christian necessity. The uncircumcised penis while erect looks no different from the circumcised one and i bet women in societies that do not practice male circumcision are not complaining.Any man that has seen a doctor performing male circumcision should be pushed to ask questions, most men stay away anyway.
Now let me make a categorical statement. IF MALE CIRCUMCISION WERE PRACTICED SOLELY BY AN AFRICAN ETHNIC GROUP IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BANNED WITH UTMOST DISGUST DECADES AGO.

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Chichi...I don't the issue but some of the conclusions are not right at all. The issue of 25% nerve depletion is incorrect. The foreskin or excess taw on the penis is due to excess formation protein in the second trimester. Is like the part of the human body like appendix that marked the death of a certain genetic information, which should die in order to activate the reel thing. Call it a kind a milk teeth only that it is a 'milk teeth' that offers critical protection to the child until birth.

Circumcision has little or no effect on the overall growth of healthy penis, but a mistake in the excision can cut the nerve. The size and health of the Penis is due to existing quality of genetic material, e.g Blacks
Africans are by majority larger than most, sometimes almost twice the size, and it is due to thier high density genes. High density genes use energy slowly because of the tight or clustered sodium/potassium gated channels, hence the high density. The penetration of heat or sun ray energy into thier body occur at a slowly pace forcing their body to maximise the use of energy and the process create all kinds of reserve proteins and calories. The waste pipes are the early benefactors and they really don't stop growing, including a protein information breakdown that might occur in prostrate leading to cancer.

These slow growth proteins are used for creating better nerves and skin, but reserved calories are used by the body, especially African body to enlarge the bones and nerves...the penis also. It also helps to improve virility.

Ancient Egyptians (our dear black ancestors) realised the tawning of flesh in front of penis gets nasty with time, to the degree that it catches all kinds of rashes inside the needling waste. So for hygiene sake they decided to remove it as some point, possibly at a very young age. The Jews who came from among did the same thing after eight days. Yes it is true that blood pathogens are blood pathogens, but for the overall health of the guy, it's good that he gets circumcised. No big deal.

Please try to also write something about male prostrate cancer...it is a far dangerous hygiene consequence in Nigeria and in Africa that is neglected. Thank you all the same.

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Believe me, I have tried everything humanly possible to make this never to sound as a "personal attack". So this my opinion which has nothing much to do with the writer's stand.

But may be we should desist from reading "human rights" and "ethics" into virtually everything. "It's unethical to eat meat bla bla bla", it;s against the right of your child to spank them when they mess up, etc.

"No one can stand where a child is been circumcized"; may be true, as I haven't withnessed one. But I also hear that pregnancy and child birth are the most painful things to pass through, may be let's discourage pregnancy as well, as no one can stand watching a woman deliver of a baby. And lest I forget, some women die during child birth. Enough reason to discourage this.

Except one is bringing their son(s) up in the old communist countries(where I learnt circumcision is not practised), I don't think there is any way one will succeed in trying to instill "confidence" in their child; which would stop the child from asking why he is different from his peers. Pray that such a child does not ground up and/or find his heart throb in some parts of Nigeria.

It sounds good to leave it for the boy to go for circumcision when he grows up and wants it, but the prospect of having a healthy young man spreading himself up for doctors and nurses for circumcision isn't going to be an easy one, I suppose.

Ok I am a man, I would have made trouble with my parents if I was not circumcized. For crying out loud, I live at a place where men are not circumsized. These men wished this stuff was perfomed on them, their women tell you they like it when circumsized, as they won't spend all the time "rolling the sleeves up and down", and it doesnt even look good by the way.

I read about the Canadian guy mentioned in this article, the pattern of "circumcision" performed on him is is not one we are familiar with; or at least I am familiar with. Is circumcision performed by "burning" whatever?
For instance:
"They were referred for circumcision at the age of 8 months. On April 27, 1966, doctors performed the circumcision using an unconventional method in which skin would be burned. The procedure did not go as doctors had planned, and David Reimer's penis was burned beyond surgical repair."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Reimer

I could have read about a different person though.

I am neither a doctor nor a nurse, so might not be competent enough to speak about the medical aspect part of circumcision, but coming to the social aspect of it, I would say there is every reason to ensure that each male child is circumcised.

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Tunde Mee

'Now let me make a categorical statement. IF MALE CIRCUMCISION WERE PRACTICED SOLELY BY AN AFRICAN ETHNIC GROUP IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BANNED WITH UTMOST DISGUST DECADES AGO'.


They would call it primitive,barbaric and savage MGM(male genital mutilation).

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I have no kids. But I will want any future son(s) to be circumcised. Why? Its our culture. It looks better and the hygiene aspect as well.

I dont recall the operation as a child done by a Jewish Rabbi, I witnessed my nephew go through what millions of men have gone through for centuries, and there is no eveidence of any long lasting pyschological affects or performance issues.

As one of the posters commented almost all women I know be them friends,ex-girlfriends,flings ( Black,white,Chinese, Asian ) etc you name it they prefer a man circumcised. My sisters said they felt squemish but nontheless where comfortable with going ahead with my nephews being circumcised.

I often question why some Africans after sometime spent in abroad look to open debate or start questioning African traditions that have not negatively impacted on us as a people. As for if its a human rights issue that is just ludicrous as saying piercing a baby girls ears....Tufiakwa!!!

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And I don’t worry that he will be made fun of if he is different from other boys. I will work hard to help him develop high self-esteem so that conformity will not be his uppermost goal. Besides, he is already different in some ways. And anyway, boys don’t go around examining each other’s genitals around here, not unless they are interested in something else entirely, not circumcision.

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Eherm, there will be some Locker-Room jibes when he takes part in Basket-Ball and other games where they have to strip naked to take a shower.

My Boys are circumcised, and i don't regret having them go through the ritual in less than 2wks. It was done in the Hospital(in Nigeria....and they were very careful and also good at it at the Very Private Hosp)...and of course the method used was...The Plastibell...yes i was squeamish about it...but went ahead for Religious, Traditional and most of all for Hygienic Reasons...it healed within the week....one had to take care whilst cleaning it.

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Bloodless Techniques
4. Plastibell®: A plastic bell with a groove at the back of it is slipped between the glans and the foreskin (an initial dorsal slit may be needed to allow the bell to be placed). The foreskin is pulled slightly forward and suture material is looped around in the groove and a surgical knot tied tightly. The thread cuts off the blood supply to the foreskin which withers and drops off, taking the Plastibell® with it, in 7 to 10 days. It is usual, but not essential, to remove the excess foreskin after the knot is tied - this is mainly cosmetic so that the boy already looks circumcised when returned to his parents. It also reduces the volume of dead foreskin which will drop off and thus reduces parental anxiety a bit. The glans and frenulum are protected by the bell. The frenulum will never be cut when using the Plastibell®. Tightness is moderate to slack. Because the bell remains on the penis for a week or so, the foreskin must not be pulled so tightly over it that it is caused to dig into the glans or obstruct the urethra. The groove is always forward of the corona of the glans and hence some inner foreskin must necessarily be retained.

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PS>>>......And from the lil bit i know...the older the child gets, the more painful the process for him.

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Quite often we present a one sided argument about a subject without looking at the other side of the pros of that same subject. This is usually to evoke sympathy from some readers without providing the whole truth. Male circumcision is a very old age practice with more health benefit than you care to know. And here are some of them. You can verify them medically.

Are there benefits from circumcision?

There are several:

1 Many older men, who have bladder or prostate gland problems, also develop difficulties with their foreskins due to their surgeon's handling, cleaning, and using instruments. Some of these patients will need circumcising. Afterwards it is often astonishing to find some who have never ever seen their glans (knob) exposed before!

2 Some older men develop cancer of the penis - about 1 in 1000 - fairly rare, but tragic if you or your son are in that small statistic. Infant circumcision gives almost 100% protection, and young adult circumcision also gives a large degree of protection.

3 Cancer of the cervix in women is due to the Human Papilloma Virus. It thrives under and on the foreskin from where it can be transmitted during intercourse. An article in the British Medical Journal in April 2002 suggested that at least 20% of cancer of the cervix would be avoided if all men were circumcised. Surely that alone makes it worth doing?

4 Protection against HIV and AIDS. Another British Medical Journal article in May 2000 suggested that circumcised men are 8 times less likely to contract the HIV virus. (It is very important here to say that the risk is still far too high and that condoms and safe sex must be used - this applies also to preventing cancer of the cervix in women who have several partners.)

A BBC television programme in November 2000 showed two Ugandan tribes across the valley from one another. One practised circumcision and had very little AIDS, whereas, it was common in the other tribe, who then also started circumcising. This programme showed how the infection thrived in the lining of the foreskin, making it much easier to pass on.

5 As with HIV, so some protection exists against other sexually transmitted infections. Accordingly, if a condom splits or comes off, there is some protection for the couple. However, the only safe sex is to stick to one partner or abstain.

6 Lots of men, and their partners, prefer the appearance of their penis after circumcision, It is odour-free, it feels cleaner, and they enjoy better sex. Awareness of a good body image is a very important factor in building self confidence.

7 Balanitis is an unpleasant, often recurring, inflammation of the glans. It is quite common and can be prevented by circumcision.

8 Urinary tract infections sometimes occur in babies and can be quite serious. Circumcision in infancy makes it 10 times less likely.
What about my son?
Dads - you are responsible for discussing these matters with your sons as soon as they reach an age when you can communicate with them. And, single mums - so are you, because nobody else will do so. There is no examination of the penis in school medicals.

Your teenage sons, especially the younger ones, will have almost total ignorance. They may secretly be having problems. Maybe they wish they had been circumcised for either body image or medical reasons. Help them to be informed and aware of their options. Don't cop out, there are leaflets available to help you.

You need to check your younger sons (age 5+) and teach them hygiene and be sure all is working properly. Try to cultivate a situation in which they will be comfortable to share any concerns they may have - like soreness. Remind them to pull back their foreskins whenever they pee as it helps to keep the foreskin clean. It also makes it easier to aim and assists them to avoid spraying the toilet - just as circumcision does.

What about infant circumcision?

You need to think about this calmly, because some people are getting angry about it in the USA, even using inflamatory words like 'genital mutilation'. Make sure you are fully informed because you as the parent have the responsibility to make decisions on behalf of your child - like the big decisions about vaccinations, knowing that for long term benefit to the child and others, the pain of the injection and often the fever which follows are worthwhile.

Having read this leaflet, you are in a better position to make decisions. Circumcision can become an emergency, or the foreskin may cause considerable problems, not least when sexual intercourse starts or in older age. Remember, it may be a taboo subject for most people - but it should not be so for you.

You may feel you could help your son avoid some of these problems once and for all by having him circumcised early in life (the best time in the healthy baby is 7-10 days old). Not only is it a simpler procedure, needing no stitches, but he will not remember the event. He will also grow up never knowing anything different. Boys circumcised later in life may find it a more embarrassing experience. For a while afterwards they will feel the sensitivity of the permanently exposed glans, but will gradually adapt to it. Thus, circumcision in babyhood can be a very sensible decision - especially for a single mum with a boy and no man around the house. If you do circumcise your son, you must explain as soon as he is old enough to understand, what happened and why it was done. This helps acceptance and avoids ignorance. (I used to think some of my friends were born with a very different penis from mine until I learned about circumcision at age 13.)

You might equally sensibly decide to wait and see, but do be ready to take action quickly if problems start to arise.

If you are thinking about infant circumcision, there are leaflets describing it in detail. You would need to discuss it with the midwife or doctor before birth to plan it. You may encounter opposition - there is currently an irrational anti-circumcision culture in the medical profession. Remember- it is your choice to do what you think best for your son in the long term. If you have any difficulty arranging circumcision on the NHS, the local Jewish circumciser, (môhel - pronounced 'moil') will often oblige you (as may a Muslim doctor). Some even offer to visit and do it in your home. You can contact the Gilgal Society for a list of circumcising doctors and môhels. The procedure takes only a few minutes.

Finally what about yourself?

Most men won't talk about their sexual problems, or even their desire to be circumcised. Try discussing it with your partner who may have definite views! Sexual pleasure is not diminished but often enhanced by the slightly reduced glans sensitivity making it easier to control orgasm. If circumcision is the right decision for you, do make arrangements. You will never regret it.

The adult procedure takes 20-30 minutes under local anaesthetic. Any embarrassment will quickly pass. Afterwards there can be some pain, as with any cut, but it can be managed with Paracetamol. Some of us felt no pain at all. The stitches will dissolve, but if any are left after 2 weeks, the practice nurse should remove them. Sure, it will be swollen at first, but intercourse can resume after 4 weeks and careful masturbation earlier.

If you have a good medical reason, your doctor may refer you for circumcision under the NHS. Recurring use of creams or pills will only briefly help, so don't be put off with these if you would rather be circumcised. Trying to persuade your GP may be difficult as not all are sympathetic for their own reasons. Though you should listen to his/her advice, you have the right of a direct private approach to a doctor for a second opinion - a doctor known to be sympathetic towards circumcision. If you encounter resistance, contact the Gilgal Society who will try to put you in touch with someone more supportive. It is important to be able to discuss everything with a sympathetic surgeon,and make sure you have a full, not partial, circumcision, which should leave your glans exposed at all times to get maximum benefit.

If your circumcision is mainly for aesthetic reasons you will almost certainly have to go and pay privately. Again The Gilgal Society can provide a list of doctors who will circumcise you.

Your penis a very important part of you. Make the most of it!

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God established male circumcision as a sign of convenant.There is no where in the new testament that it was abolished.All the cry against circumcision is just to get us out of the will of God.If you don't like it-fine don't preach against it.