CIRCUMCISION AND PENIS CARE
A circumcision is a procedure that removes a fold of skin, called the
foreskin, from the head, or glans, of a baby boy’s penis. Circumcision
is no longer performed routinely. It’s your choice whether to have your
baby boy circumcised. The following information and resources can help
you decide.
Making a decision
Circumcision is no longer considered medically necessary. According
to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical
Association, there is not enough medical evidence to support routine
circumcision. Studies do show some potential medical benefits of circumcision,
but there are also potential risks (see the table at the bottom of the
page). Since circumcision is not essential to the child’s current well-being,
parents should determine what is in the best interest of their child.
Whether or not to have your son circumcised is YOUR choice. In addition
to weighing potential medical benefits and risks, you should also consider
any cultural, religious, or ethnic traditions that may affect your decision.
To learn more, ask your health care providers—and visit one of the
websites listed to the left. Make sure you have the information you need
to make an informed choice.
You may have to pay for your son’s circumcision. Because routine
circumcision is not considered medically necessary, your health care
insurance may not pay for it.
You should check with your own insurance provider before you make a
choice. Also, talk with hospital or clinic staff, if needed, for information
on costs and financial assistance.
Potential Benefits
■ Reduced risk for bladder infection in the 1st year of life. The risk is 1 in 1,000 for circumcised boys, and 1 in 100 for boys who are not circumcised.
■ Slightly reduced risk of developing cancer of the penis. 1 out of 1,000,000 circumcised men will develop cancer of the penis. This may be slightly more common in males who are not circumcised who do not practice good hygiene.
■ Slightly reduced risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), possibly including HIV. However, behavioral factors are far more important in preventing these diseases than the presence or absence of a foreskin.
■ Easier genital hygiene and prevention of infection under the foreskin. However, boys who are not circumcised can learn how to clean beneath the foreskin.
Potential Risks
■ Bleeding, infection, and improper healing. These are risks of any surgery.
■ Cutting the foreskin too short or too long. If too little skin is removed, the circumcision may have to be repeated. If too much skin is removed, the penis can take longer to heal, or may require reconstructive surgery.
■ Irritation and urination problems. When the foreskin is removed, the tip of the penis may become irritated and cause the opening of the penis to become too small. In rare cases, this can cause urination problems that may need to be surgically corrected.
Care of the circumcised penis If your child did have a circumcision, read below to learn what to expect, and how to care for your child’s penis.
■ For all types of circumcision: It’s normal for the site to be red and raw and have yellow crusts for about 5 days. Keep the penis clean by washing it gently with soap and warm water during your son’s bath. You don’t need to use cotton swabs, astringents, or any special bath products. Observe the site for signs of infection—listed under “CALL YOUR BABY’S DOCTOR” to the right. The circumcision should heal completely within 7 to 10 days.
■ For a circumcision using a Plastibell clamp: The Plastibell is a plastic rim that is placed between the foreskin and the glans of the penis. If your baby has a Plastibell, don’t use any special dressings or ointments on your baby’s penis. The plastic rim usually drops off in 5-10 days.
■ For a circumcision using a Gomco or Mogen clamp: Gomco and Mogen clamps are used to surgically remove the foreskin. No special dressing is required. However, to prevent the diaper from rubbing against or sticking to the sore area, you can use a small amount of petroleum jelly on the tip of the penis.
Care of the uncircumcised penis If you chose not to have your son circumcised, read below to learn how to care for your child’s penis.
■ Wash the penis gently with soap and warm water during your son’s bath. You don’t need to use cotton swabs, astringents, or any special bath products.
■ Never forcibly pull back the foreskin to clean beneath it.
■ Over time, the foreskin will retract on its own. This happens at different times for different children, but most boys can retract their foreskins by the time they’re 5 years old. After that time, you can teach your child to gently pull the foreskin back away from the glans, and clean the glans and the inside fold of the foreskin with soap and warm water.
CALL YOUR BABY’S DOCTOR if you notice any of the following:
■ Increased redness, swelling, and tenderness
■ Development of pus-filled blisters
■ Bleeding—apply pressure and call your baby’s doctor right away
■ Signs of discomfort with urination
■ Failure to urinate within 6 to 8 hours of a circumcision
Potential Benefits
■ Reduced risk for bladder infection in the 1st year of life. The risk is 1 in 1,000 for circumcised boys, and 1 in 100 for boys who are not circumcised.
■ Slightly reduced risk of developing cancer of the penis. 1 out of 1,000,000 circumcised men will develop cancer of the penis. This may be slightly more common in males who are not circumcised who do not practice good hygiene.
■ Slightly reduced risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), possibly including HIV. However, behavioral factors are far more important in preventing these diseases than the presence or absence of a foreskin.
■ Easier genital hygiene and prevention of infection under the foreskin. However, boys who are not circumcised can learn how to clean beneath the foreskin.
Potential Risks
■ Bleeding, infection, and improper healing. These are risks of any surgery.
■ Cutting the foreskin too short or too long. If too little skin is removed, the circumcision may have to be repeated. If too much skin is removed, the penis can take longer to heal, or may require reconstructive surgery.
■ Irritation and urination problems. When the foreskin is removed, the tip of the penis may become irritated and cause the opening of the penis to become too small. In rare cases, this can cause urination problems that may need to be surgically corrected.
Care of the circumcised penis If your child did have a circumcision, read below to learn what to expect, and how to care for your child’s penis.
■ For all types of circumcision: It’s normal for the site to be red and raw and have yellow crusts for about 5 days. Keep the penis clean by washing it gently with soap and warm water during your son’s bath. You don’t need to use cotton swabs, astringents, or any special bath products. Observe the site for signs of infection—listed under “CALL YOUR BABY’S DOCTOR” to the right. The circumcision should heal completely within 7 to 10 days.
■ For a circumcision using a Plastibell clamp: The Plastibell is a plastic rim that is placed between the foreskin and the glans of the penis. If your baby has a Plastibell, don’t use any special dressings or ointments on your baby’s penis. The plastic rim usually drops off in 5-10 days.
■ For a circumcision using a Gomco or Mogen clamp: Gomco and Mogen clamps are used to surgically remove the foreskin. No special dressing is required. However, to prevent the diaper from rubbing against or sticking to the sore area, you can use a small amount of petroleum jelly on the tip of the penis.
Care of the uncircumcised penis If you chose not to have your son circumcised, read below to learn how to care for your child’s penis.
■ Wash the penis gently with soap and warm water during your son’s bath. You don’t need to use cotton swabs, astringents, or any special bath products.
■ Never forcibly pull back the foreskin to clean beneath it.
■ Over time, the foreskin will retract on its own. This happens at different times for different children, but most boys can retract their foreskins by the time they’re 5 years old. After that time, you can teach your child to gently pull the foreskin back away from the glans, and clean the glans and the inside fold of the foreskin with soap and warm water.
CALL YOUR BABY’S DOCTOR if you notice any of the following:
■ Increased redness, swelling, and tenderness
■ Development of pus-filled blisters
■ Bleeding—apply pressure and call your baby’s doctor right away
■ Signs of discomfort with urination
■ Failure to urinate within 6 to 8 hours of a circumcision
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