Looking for the best info and articles on 'circumsions'. Please help!

[kakies]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for clear information on circumcisions. I remember reading some great information here on mdc years ago, but I haven't been able to find those old articles. One was called 'cutting kids' and the other was 'protect uncircson'. I saved the links to these articles but they no longer work.

I would truely appreciate any good source of information so I can share with a relative who plans to circumcise her soon to be born son. The reasons that she gave me were that the dad has been circumcised and it's just too hard to clean a babies penis. Please help with info, links or good sites on the subject.

Thanks,

Iris

[JamieB]

Please visit the Case Against Circumcision board here on MDC. They will be able to help you out

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/list/44/the-case-against-circumcision

[kakies]

Thank you, I had forgotten about that board. Sorry, I will post my message over there.

[P.J.]

In addition, this group, Intact America, has lots of resources on their website. Good luck, I hope your relative can be convinced!

[Sarina]

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/circumcision.htm

[Beltane]

I always send this out to parents expecting a boy.  http://www.circumstitions.com/Itsaboy.html

[whozeyermamma]

Oh my - that just made me cry. I love love it!!!!

[philomom]

Originally Posted by Sarina 

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/circumcision.htm

That's not the best info out there. The newest stuff says that circ may increase HiV transmission.

http://www.publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/viewArticle/jphia.2011.e4/html_9

http://www.nocirc-sa.co.za/hivaidsandcircumcision/

[Sarina]

You're right..... The center for disease control doesn't know what they are talking about.  A website with an obvious bias against circumcision should be believed instead.

BTW. The CDC did not make a recommedation on whether to circumcise or not.  They just gave the results of their findings. 

[philomom]

The CDC has longed leaned on circumcision for all. Not sure why.. I believe it is political and not actually having to do with the health of infant boys. And they may have to lean against it soon to save lives because there have been several cases recently of rampant MRSA among boys circumcised in the hospital.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/438682/circumcision_increases_mrsa_risk.html?cat=5

I see you are new here but we do not advocate the cutting of infants here on MDC. We have a whole sub forum dedicated to The Case Against Circumcision.

[MSWmama]

I wonder what political reason the CDC would have for promoting circumcision. It's not exactly a huge money maker (I know in my state, insurance pays like $300 for a circ in the hospital, and even less for one in clinic).

My DS is intact and I strongly advocate keeping boys intact, but I'm really curious as to why the CDC would encourage circ. 

But, back to the OP, definitely visit The Case Against Circumcision. They can give you lots of good info / advice. Good luck! 

Originally Posted by philomom 

The CDC has longed leaned on circumcision for all. Not sure why.. I believe it is political and not actually having to do with the health of infant boys. And they may have to lean against it soon to save lives because there have been several cases recently of rampant MRSA among boys circumcised in the hospital.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/438682/circumcision_increases_mrsa_risk.html?cat=5

I see you are new here but we do not advocate the cutting of infants here on MDC. We have a whole sub forum dedicated to The Case Against Circumcision.

[whozeyermamma]

I think there are several reasons - first off - I think there is this reluctance in the medical community to own up to it's mistakes. How can they admit that they permitted and encouraged needless surgery on newborns, motivated in the US primarily as a means to prevent masturbation and as part of an unfounded squeamishness over sexuality?

There is also a public health motivation - say if you take the stats at face value that circ-ed males are less likely to transmit or catch certain STDs - even if that percentage is very low - you can see that there could be some rationale (in their minds) that circ is worth it. Of course, since there is no long-term follow up on the risks and complications of circ - that makes this argument too - "well, it's not like anything bad happens if you circ and if it can prevent *some* STD transmission, then it's worth it from a public health standpoint, if not a personal, individual one."

Of course, I personally don't believe in any of that - the longest I've seen a study that follows circ complications was I think a few weeks, which is not nearly enough time to see if there are complications. And of course, finally, condoms, monogamy and abstinence are what should be used to prevent STDs, not circ. 

... getting off soapbox ...

[philomom]

Originally Posted by whozeyermamma 

I think there are several reasons - first off - I think there is this reluctance in the medical community to own up to it's mistakes. How can they admit that they permitted and encouraged needless surgery on newborns, motivated in the US primarily as a means to prevent masturbation and as part of an unfounded squeamishness over sexuality?

There is also a public health motivation - say if you take the stats at face value that circ-ed males are less likely to transmit or catch certain STDs - even if that percentage is very low - you can see that there could be some rationale (in their minds) that circ is worth it. Of course, since there is no long-term follow up on the risks and complications of circ - that makes this argument too - "well, it's not like anything bad happens if you circ and if it can prevent *some* STD transmission, then it's worth it from a public health standpoint, if not a personal, individual one."

Of course, I personally don't believe in any of that - the longest I've seen a study that follows circ complications was I think a few weeks, which is not nearly enough time to see if there are complications. And of course, finally, condoms, monogamy and abstinence are what should be used to prevent STDs, not circ. 

... getting off soapbox ...

This fellow discusses the issue well.. you have to scroll down just a bit.

http://www.circumcisionandhiv.com/2008/03/cdc-inaccuratel.html