“The benefits vastly outweigh risks.” – I would consider this true only for the HIV pandemic… and still, not as good as true protected sex. Still a terrible gamble if an individual plans on having unprotected sexual activity.

The following list is flawed:

-urinary tract infections: are extremely rare in uncircumcided males and there is no statistical significance between circumcised and uncircumcised.

HPV: This is not true and irresponsible to state. Human Papiloma Virus has a high incidence in both circumcised and uncircumcised males and they both can cause Cervical cancer. Some of these claims may give people a FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY and therefore contribute to increase the spread of these infections.

For information about flawed studies on HPV and cervical cancer relationship to Circumcision visit:
http://www.circumstitions.com/Cancer-cervNEJM.html

Syphilis and chancroid, penile and prostate cancer: none of these have been shown any statistical significance in any conclusive study to have decreased with circumcision. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, Syphilis continues to be very common and have high incidences in circumcised populations.

Again, some of these claims may be giving people a FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY and therefore contribute to increase the spread of these infections.

Circumcision of males represents a surgical “vaccine” against a wide variety of infections, adverse medical conditions and potentially fatal diseases over their lifetime, and also protects their sexual partners. In experienced hands, this common, inexpensive procedure is very safe, can be pain-free and can be performed at any age. The benefits vastly outweigh risks. The enormous public health benefits include protection from urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted HIV, HPV, syphilis and chancroid, penile and prostate cancer, phimosis, thrush, and inflammatory dermatoses. In women circumcision of the male partner provides substantial protection from cervical cancer and chlamydia. Circumcision has socio-sexual benefits and reduces sexual problems with age. It has no adverse effect on penile sensitivity, function, or sensation during sexual arousal. Most women prefer the circumcised penis for appearance, hygiene and sex. Given the convincing epidemiological evidence and biological support, routine circumcision should be highly recommended by all health professionals.

Morris, BJ. Why circumcision is a biomedical imperative for the 21(st) century. BioEssays 29:1147-1158, 2007.

My uncle who died at the age of 78 was circumcised at the age of 25 when he was on his way to fight the Japanese in WWII. He said a whole bunch of them were because the climate on the islands gave the men some fungus or something.

He said that was the most miserable ship ride in his life and he told me over and over, “get your babies circumcised when they’re little.”

Now, that being said, I still wouldn’t do it to my boys had I to do it over. But it’s ridiculous to assume it matters either way. It’s not the same as female circumcision, for heaven’s sake. And think of labor and delivery.

Oh, compared to what we women go through, you guys are lucky.

Also one memorable story of a woman who ripped clear up to her belly button.

Joking, it wasn’t that far, it was actually clear to her rectum. And girls, you know that takes a lot of healing. I’d go for the episiotomy any day.

Like I said, two husbands circumcised, one not, no difference.

New studies show circumcision DOES decrease the rate of AIDS infection by a VERY significant number… some studies suggest up to 70% decrease.

You can read about it here, under Randomized Control Trials:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_analysis_of_circumcision#Circumcision_and_HIV.2FAIDS

From which I copied the following:
A recent analysis of the potential impact of circumcision on HIV in Africa, based upon the results of the South African RCT, suggested that male circumcision could substantially reduce the burden of HIV in Africa, particularly in southern Africa where the existing prevalence of male circumcision is low and the existing prevalence of HIV is high. More specifically it predicted that if full coverage with MC was achieved in sub-Saharan Africa over the next ten years, MC could prevent approximately 2.0 (1.1 to 3.8) million new HIV infections over that ten year period and a further 3.7 million in the ten years after that.

Literally, millions of lives can be saved by Circumcision!

Haven’t read a word of the discussion.

But I can tell you that the procedure sure ain’t pleasant when you’re older. I had to have it done age 17 for medical reasons. The doctor recommended cold packs, lots of Neosporin and recommended that I avoid watching TV or doing anything that ran a risk of getting me “in the mood” because I might “rip out the stitches.”

Changing bandages was a quite the hour-long ordeal too.

Man! It hurts just thinking about it.

So I was actually seriously considering having it done to my baby boy (he’s one year old this month). But you look down at that cute little face, and you know what? I wussed out. Couldn’t do it.

Now the doctor tells us he has the same physical condition I had.

Fabulous.

Sorry kid. Your dad dropped the ball.