Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Penn and Teller call Bullshit on Circumcision (NSFW)

tecoyah · 04-29-2007, 10:14 AM

We decided to look carefully at this proceedure when Sagan was born, and I personally found the Mayo Clinic information the least Biased after asking my doctor, and looking atfar too many websites.

Sagan still has his whole enchilada....and someday I think he will be glad.

"The benefits

Circumcision may have health benefits, including:

* Easier hygiene. Circumcision makes it easy to wash the penis — although it's simple to clean an uncircumcised penis, too.
* Decreased risk of urinary tract infections. The risk of urinary tract infections in the first year is low, but these infections may be up to 10 times as common in uncircumcised baby boys. Severe infections early in life can lead to kidney problems later on.
* Prevention of penile problems. Occasionally, the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis may narrow so much that it's difficult or impossible to retract. This can also lead to inflammation of the head of the penis.
* Decreased risk of penile cancer. Although cancer of the penis is very rare, it's less common in circumcised men.
* Decreased risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Safe sexual practices remain essential, but circumcised men may have a slightly lower risk of certain sexually transmitted diseases — including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts. Some strains of HPV also cause cervical cancer.

The drawbacks

Circumcision also has drawbacks, including:

* Surgical risks. Excessive bleeding and infection are uncommon, but possible. The foreskin may be cut too short or too long or fail to heal properly. If the remaining foreskin reattaches to the end of the penis, minor surgery may be needed to correct it.
* Pain. Circumcision hurts. Local anesthesia can block nerve sensations during the procedure.
* Permanence. After the procedure, it may be impossible to re-create the appearance of an uncircumcised penis.
* Expense. Some insurance companies don't cover the cost of circumcision."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/circumcision/PR00040

I honestly just didn't want to take anything away from my son, if I could avoid it.

04-29-2007, 10:14 AM	#44 (permalink)
tecoyah Illusionary	We decided to look carefully at this proceedure when Sagan was born, and I personally found the Mayo Clinic information the least Biased after asking my doctor, and looking atfar too many websites. Sagan still has his whole enchilada....and someday I think he will be glad. "The benefits Circumcision may have health benefits, including: * Easier hygiene. Circumcision makes it easy to wash the penis — although it's simple to clean an uncircumcised penis, too. * Decreased risk of urinary tract infections. The risk of urinary tract infections in the first year is low, but these infections may be up to 10 times as common in uncircumcised baby boys. Severe infections early in life can lead to kidney problems later on. * Prevention of penile problems. Occasionally, the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis may narrow so much that it's difficult or impossible to retract. This can also lead to inflammation of the head of the penis. * Decreased risk of penile cancer. Although cancer of the penis is very rare, it's less common in circumcised men. * Decreased risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Safe sexual practices remain essential, but circumcised men may have a slightly lower risk of certain sexually transmitted diseases — including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts. Some strains of HPV also cause cervical cancer. The drawbacks Circumcision also has drawbacks, including: * Surgical risks. Excessive bleeding and infection are uncommon, but possible. The foreskin may be cut too short or too long or fail to heal properly. If the remaining foreskin reattaches to the end of the penis, minor surgery may be needed to correct it. * Pain. Circumcision hurts. Local anesthesia can block nerve sensations during the procedure. * Permanence. After the procedure, it may be impossible to re-create the appearance of an uncircumcised penis. * Expense. Some insurance companies don't cover the cost of circumcision." http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/circumcision/PR00040 I honestly just didn't want to take anything away from my son, if I could avoid it.