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

[sui generis]

1. oh it's time for our monthly circumcision flame fest

yippee. Let me fast forward:

1. Everyone will get mad
2. Several comments will be deleted
3. Nobody will change anybody else's mind on the topic
4. The thread will be abandoned out of boredom after flaming hard for two days and everyone has had their monthly catharsis

Seen this movie before - it always ends the same.

[JackintheGreen]

2. Circumcision: It's for skin!

This happens monthly? Really? Where have I been?

[Ilsa]

3. +1. That nails it. Happens every time.

[rcrush]

4. You could apply that to any topic couldnt you?

[racaulk]

7. Yep, that's exactly the way it happens.

Yay.

[blondeatlast]

11. I'm going to bookmark that post for future reference, I promise I will credit you! nt

[La Lioness Priyanka]

16. well said

[theoldman]

5. It would be interesting to hear a scientific explanation as to why

humans evolved a foreskin. To the best of my knowledge apes don't have one.

[blondeatlast]

6. Simple; so that the same old flamefests could happen on DU over and over and over... nt

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. to reduce friction to make intercourse easier.

As a female I am well aware of this.

There is a major difference between the cut and the uncut, and I prefer the natural factory version.

[peacefreak]

8. And we're off!!!

:popcorn: Could I please have some pigs in a blanket & a soda also?

[MiniMe]

17. Pass it over this way please

:popcorn:

[CTyankee]

19. I brought a bottle of nicely chilled Prosecco!

I always bring Prosecco for a circumcision thread...

[Hekate]

27. I brought butter and salt for you...

:popcorn:

and now I'm going to hide the thread...

Hekate

[el_bryanto]

9. How many times can you be circumsised? I thought it was just the once.

I'm no doctor though.

Bryant

[Spider Jerusalem]

10. The answer to this question is 'yes'

it reduces risk of certain STDs quite significantly, not to mention the risk of penile cancer...and removing the foreskin isn't mutilation, despite the theatrical hysterics some people have over the issue.

[mitchtv]

12. ok by me if the subject is allowed to sue

his parents

[Spider Jerusalem]

15. You're a nutter, aren't you?

Sue his parents for what?

I was circumcised; I've never missed having a foreskin. (And anecdotally, every woman I've been with has stated an aesthetic preference for circumcised over uncircumcised.)

[blondeatlast]

20. I prefer a circed penis.

My ex was uncirced for many years, finally decided to get circed when he had his vasectomy. Circed is much preferred by me.

[Goldstein1984]

14. I haven't been around long enough to see one of the monthly

circumcision flamefests.

Does anyone ever mention that just being a little more careful about where you dip your wick, or what wick you allow to be dipped, also reduces the risk of certain sexually transmitted diseases?

A lot of the modern circumcision debate is generated by evidence that the spread of the AIDS virus in Africa is reduced by the practice. Empowering and educating women in Africa would have the same effect, and a lot of other benefits as well.

[thereismore]

18. I would also probably advocate circumcision for all if I were circumcised. nt

[dem629]

21. Yes, without a doubt.

[xchrom]

22. Yay! A circumsion thread!

I love talking about dicks.

[11 Bravo]

23. My folks told the OB-GYN, "Keep the tip", and he misunderstood.

:shrug:

[fascisthunter]

24. I'm Very Happy to Still Have My Foreskin

I would hate to lose that sensitivity down there. There is no need for it.

[11 Bravo]

25. Joe Pepitone, of the NY Yankees once put a piece of popcorn under his foreskin and ...

tried to convince the team trainer that he had contracted a new and exotic venereal disease. As far as I can tell, that was the last time a foreskin served any useful purpose.

[fascisthunter]

26. well that's a funny visual

I have use for mine... and it's not for popcorn. :)

[tammywammy]

28. Oh circumcision, it's been so long

I've missed the site of a good circumcision thread. It only takes second place to a woman breast feeding in public or possibly Olive Garden.

[closeupready]

29. Apparently, some believe bombs can be planted beneath it.

Or so I was reading here yesterday.

[ThomWV]

30. Hell no, not as a routine - no male should be required to have more than one circumcision.