The practice of circumcision is one that has been with us for centuries. In ancient days, it was mainly performed for religious and cultural purposes but this has changed over time and it has taken a more medical angle. There is a huge variation as relates to the timing at which the cut is undertaken. When used for cultural rites of passage, circumcision is usually done to adolescent boys or young adults. Newborn circumcision is a common practice in many western countries and among the Jews.
One of the arguments that have been advanced in favor of circumcision is the fact that it helps in reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections. This is because the penis is easier to clean without the foreskin and bacterial organisms no longer have an environment to replicate and cause disease in young boys. In sexually active adults, there have been claims that circumcised men have greater sensitivity than their uncircumcised counterparts but this has not been proven scientifically.
Many parents in Toronto, ON prefer to subject their baby boys to the procedure within the first ten days after birth. It has been shown through research that the risk of complications is greater in older children and adults. At the same time, hospital stay is slightly longer for the older children. Pediatricians and obstetricians present during delivery usually perform the circumcision but the same may be done by any qualified health provider.
In some cases, the procedure may need to be postponed or avoided altogether. For instance, babies born prematurely are usually underweight and are often required to stay in hospital a little longer to gain the required weight. Circumcision is also delayed due to disorders affecting the urethra such as hypospadia and epispadia. In both instances, the child is circumcised much later with the foreskin being used for reconstructive surgery.
Generally, this procedure is very safe but a few complications may be encountered occasionally. Some of the complications that have been reported include local infection and bleeding. The good news is that these complications are easy to manage especially within the hospital setting. The important thing is to identify these complications early and to address them in a timely manner.
It is important to maintain high levels of hygiene once the baby has been discharged from hospital. The site should be cleaned gently at least once daily with warm water. Not only will this help to minimize infections but is also important in promoting healing. Petroleum jelly helps in reducing the irritation that may be created by diapers.
If performed in the right manner, the wound will take between 7 and 10 days to heal. There may be residual redness of the penile tip but this subsides with time. During the first few days, look out for excessive bleeding, fever and production of pus from the penis. In the event that you notice any of these signs get in touch of your doctor. Failure to pass urine for 12 hours after the surgery requires to be addressed immediately.
For those that decide against circumcision, it is important to maintain hygiene as well. Daily cleaning of the uncircumcised penis as you wash the baby helps to get rid of bacterial organisms that may be harbored beneath the foreskin. Ensure that this is done gently bearing in mind that the foreskin takes about 3 years to be fully retractable.
One of the arguments that have been advanced in favor of circumcision is the fact that it helps in reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections. This is because the penis is easier to clean without the foreskin and bacterial organisms no longer have an environment to replicate and cause disease in young boys. In sexually active adults, there have been claims that circumcised men have greater sensitivity than their uncircumcised counterparts but this has not been proven scientifically.
Many parents in Toronto, ON prefer to subject their baby boys to the procedure within the first ten days after birth. It has been shown through research that the risk of complications is greater in older children and adults. At the same time, hospital stay is slightly longer for the older children. Pediatricians and obstetricians present during delivery usually perform the circumcision but the same may be done by any qualified health provider.
In some cases, the procedure may need to be postponed or avoided altogether. For instance, babies born prematurely are usually underweight and are often required to stay in hospital a little longer to gain the required weight. Circumcision is also delayed due to disorders affecting the urethra such as hypospadia and epispadia. In both instances, the child is circumcised much later with the foreskin being used for reconstructive surgery.
Generally, this procedure is very safe but a few complications may be encountered occasionally. Some of the complications that have been reported include local infection and bleeding. The good news is that these complications are easy to manage especially within the hospital setting. The important thing is to identify these complications early and to address them in a timely manner.
It is important to maintain high levels of hygiene once the baby has been discharged from hospital. The site should be cleaned gently at least once daily with warm water. Not only will this help to minimize infections but is also important in promoting healing. Petroleum jelly helps in reducing the irritation that may be created by diapers.
If performed in the right manner, the wound will take between 7 and 10 days to heal. There may be residual redness of the penile tip but this subsides with time. During the first few days, look out for excessive bleeding, fever and production of pus from the penis. In the event that you notice any of these signs get in touch of your doctor. Failure to pass urine for 12 hours after the surgery requires to be addressed immediately.
For those that decide against circumcision, it is important to maintain hygiene as well. Daily cleaning of the uncircumcised penis as you wash the baby helps to get rid of bacterial organisms that may be harbored beneath the foreskin. Ensure that this is done gently bearing in mind that the foreskin takes about 3 years to be fully retractable.
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