Health library

While there are potential medical benefits from circumcision, the American Academy of Pediatrics stops short of recommending the procedure. Parents will want to weigh medical, cultural and personal factors when making a choice.

A lot is up in the air when a baby is on the way. Is it a boy or girl? When will the contractions start? What name will you choose?

And, if it's a boy, will you have him circumcised?

Circumcision is one of the oldest surgical procedures. It involves cutting away the foreskin, the skin that covers the head of the penis. It started as a religious ritual and has become a common medical practice for many Americans.

However, circumcision is not automatically done after your son's birth. It's a choice that's left to parents.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says research shows that the medical benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks but that the benefits are not great enough to recommend routine circumcision. You’ll find a summary of those benefits and risks below. The AAP also recognizes that parents will want to weigh cultural, religious and personal factors when making their decision.

You should feel free to discuss your feelings and concerns with your baby's pediatrician.

Benefits of circumcision

The AAP recognizes that circumcision:

• Decreases the risk for a urinary tract infection in your baby's first year. Research indicates that an uncircumcised male has at most a 1 in 100 chance of developing a urinary tract infection, while a circumcised male has about a 1 in 1,000 chance.
• May protect against cancer of the penis, though this type of cancer is very rare in the United States.
• Results in a markedly lower risk for getting HIV, as well as a significantly lower risk for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, the AAP says a man's behavior—if he follows safe sex practices and avoids casual sex—plays a far more important role in protecting him from STIs than whether he is circumcised or not.
• Prevents foreskin infections.
• Prevents phimosis, a condition that makes it impossible to retract the foreskin.
• Makes hygiene easier.

Why some parents choose not to circumcise

There are also good reasons to decide against circumcision. Here are some things parents should consider, according to the AAP:

• The procedure may cause local infection and bleeding.
• Circumcision causes enough pain for the AAP to recommend the use of pain relief during the procedure.
• The foreskin can be cut too short or too long, causing improper healing. This is rare.
• Many see the foreskin as important protection for the tip of the penis. Exposure can sometimes irritate the penis and cause the opening to become too small, causing difficult urination.
• Some believe that circumcision decreases sexual pleasure later in life because the tip of the penis may be desensitized.

The AAP also notes that almost all uncircumcised boys can be taught personal hygiene that reduces their risk for STIs, infections and cancer of the penis.

Whatever you choose as parents, it is important to make this decision before or very soon after your son's birth.

Circumcision becomes riskier as a baby grows older. Most circumcisions are done within a few days of birth.

Reviewed 10/13/2023