Should Pediatricians Recommend Routine Circumcision?

[Sgent]

By Jacob Goldstein

The American Academy of Pediatrics is on the fence about circumcision for newborn boys: The group says there’s not enough evidence to recommend routine circumcision, and parents should weigh the risks and benefits of the procedure.

But a group of doctors from Johns Hopkins and the NIH argue this week in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine that the AAP should update its recommendation because recent studies showed circumcision reduces the risk of catching certain sexually transmitted diseases. Some key recent data come from African men who were circumcised as adults, but the authors argue that observational evidence shows the procedure also lowers risks for U.S. men who are circumcised as infants.

Parents should still be allowed to decide what’s best for their baby, the paper argues. But a stronger stance by the AAP might lead to broader coverage of the procedure by state Medicaid programs, the health-insurance program for the poor. That could drive up circumcision rates among the poor and, ultimately, drive down the rate of sexually transmitted infections.

An accompanying editorial argues that the data on health benefits are “not yet clear enough” to recommend routine circumcision — but agrees that there’s enough evidence to merit Medicaid coverage for those parents who choose circumcision.

Link: http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/01/04/should-pediatricians-recommend-routine-circumcision/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+wsj/health/feed+(WSJ.com:+Health+Blog)&utm_content=Google+Reader

[closeupready]

1. No, I believe it actually should be legally prohibited to mutilate the genitalia of males.

I mean, if it's the stinkiness thing, vaginas stink, too, but we don't mutilate those - we wash them with soap and water. That should be the pediatrician's recommendation.

[BolivarianHero]

8. What are you talking about?

I had a non-ceremonial circumcision when I was 8 and it has not affected my sexual performance, sexual pleasure, or ability to relieve myself.

[Fumesucker]

2. Extra butter please..

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[blondeatlast]

3. Co'Cola?. nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. I'll pass. I don't have a foreskin in this fight.

[Lance_Boyle]

4. Routine? No. Nobody should have it done more than once. n/t

[PVnRT]

6. A proud kick!

Gotta make sure this stays near the top!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

7. No. The foreskin is there for a good reason.

Wash it.
It's to reduce friction during intercourse and make intercourse easier. The Prudes want to make sex uncomfortable. It can be very dry and uncomfortable with a male who is circumcised. I am a mature female and the sex with the uncut is much better because the man is sliding around inside his own skin instead of irritating the vagina.

Unfortunately, most of the men in my age group and ethnic group are circumcised routinely.

[closeupready]

9. But why wash it if we can just mutilate the penis, instead?

:sarcasm:

[ChickMagic]

10. I think it has been routinely done

in order to keep males from touching themselves.
If I've been told correctly, men who aren't
circumcised have to handle their penis more than
men who are. We can't have that unchristian
behavior. x(