Patient education: Should I have my baby circumcised? (The Basics)

What is circumcision? — Circumcision is surgery to remove the skin that covers the tip of the penis, called the "foreskin" (picture 1). Circumcision is usually done when a baby boy is between 1 and 10 days old. It is more common in some parts of the world than others. Circumcision is also a common tradition in some religions.

Should I have my baby circumcised? — There is no easy answer. Different people feel differently about this decision.

Circumcision has some benefits. But it also has some risks. After talking with your baby's doctor, you will have to decide for yourself what is right for your family.

What are the benefits of circumcision? — Circumcised boys seem to have slightly lower rates of:

●Urinary tract infections

●Swelling of the opening at the tip of the penis

As adults, circumcised males seem to have slightly lower rates of:

●Urinary tract infections

●Swelling of the opening at the tip of the penis

●Penis cancer

●HIV and other infections you can catch during sex

●Cervical cancer in their sex partners

Even so, the risks of these problems are small, even in people who have not been circumcised. Also, people who are not circumcised can lower these extra risks by:

●Cleaning their penis well

●Using condoms during sex

What are the risks of circumcision? — Risks include:

●Bleeding or infection from the surgery

●Damage to the penis

●A chance that the doctor will cut off too much or not enough of the foreskin

●A chance that sex won't feel as good later in life

Only about 1 out of every 200 circumcisions leads to problems. Also, some health insurances won't pay for circumcision.

How is circumcision done in babies? — The baby will get medicine so they don't feel pain. This might be a cream on their skin or a shot into the base of their penis. The doctor will clean the baby's penis well. Then, they will use special tools to cut off the foreskin. The doctor will wrap a gauze bandage around the baby's penis.

If you have your baby circumcised, the doctor or nurse will give you instructions on how to care for the baby after surgery. Follow those instructions carefully.

More on this topic

Patient education: Circumcision in babies (The Basics)
Patient education: Care of the uncircumcised penis in babies and children (The Basics)

Patient education: Circumcision in baby boys (Beyond the Basics)