Benefits of Circumcision

Circumcision has many health benefits including:

• Reduces the risk of a urinary tract infection

• Reduces risk of sexually transmitted diseases

• Less risk of balanitis (tenderness of glands)

• Less risk of balanoposthitis (irritation of foreskin)

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• Lowers the chance of getting penile cancer

• Makes it easier to keep the penile area clean

• Prevents phimosis (incapability to pull back the foreskin)

• Prevents paraphimosis (inability to return the foreskin to regular position)

Medicine's Stance on Circumcision

In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a study that the preventative health benefits of infant circumcision clearly outweigh the risks.  This is a result of emerging evidence that found links between circumcision and decreased risk of urinary tract infections, cancer, HPV, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases.

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Per the AAP press release:  "The medical data shows that the procedure is safest and offers the most health benefits if performed during the newborn period.  The AAP policy recommends infant circumcision should be performed by trained and competent providers, using sterile techniques and effective pain management."

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The AAP study on baby circumcision is now also endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.  The medical data on circumcision showed:

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• Up to 60% reduction of HIV risk

• Up to 40% reduction of HPV infection

• Up to 34% reduction of Herpes risk

• Much lower risk of UTIs in the baby's first year

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Click on the link below to read more about this topic on CNN: