Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the tissue covering the head of the penis. It is an ancient practice that has its origin in religious rites. Today, many parents have their sons circumcised for religious or other reasons.

There are a few risks associated with circumcision that include pain, risk of bleeding and infection at the site of the circumcision, irritation of the glans, increased risk of meatitis (inflammation of the opening of the penis) and risk of injury to the penis.

It is advisable to take circumcision measures early in life usually performed on the first or second day after birth. The procedure becomes more complicated and riskier in older babies, children, and men.

During a circumcision, the foreskin is freed from the head of the penis (glans), and the excess foreskin is clipped off.

However, parents should talk with their doctor about the benefits and risks of the procedure before making a decision regarding circumcision of a male child.

Other factors such as the culture, religion, and personal preference will also impact the decision to circumcise or not.

Circumcision also makes it easier to keep the end of the penis clean and good hygiene can help prevent certain problems with the male reproductive system such as infections and inflammatory swellings.

In certain circumstances there is a problem with the foreskin that makes removal necessary. For example, if the foreskin is excessively narrow at the tip it can increase the risk of local irritation or infection.

Bacteria can collect around an uncircumcised foreskin, leading to urinary tract infections. Finally, in boys with kidney abnormalities, circumcision can limit kidney infections that would further impair kidney function.

Circumcision has proved to have vast health advantages that include decreased risk of urinary tract infections, reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases in men.

Protection against penile cancer and a reduced risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners is another scientifically proven advantage.

Other advantages include prevention of balanitis (inflammation of the glans) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin) as well as prevention of phimosis (the inability to retract the foreskin) and paraphimosis (the inability to return the foreskin to its original location).

It is also believed that majority of men who are HIV positive become infected through the penis during sexual contact.

Recent studies have proven conclusively that uncircumcised men are at a much greater risk of becoming infected with HIV than men who are circumcised. The reason to support this view is that the inner surface of the foreskin has a very high concentration of cells containing HIV receptors that act as a portal into the body when exposed to HIV-infected bodily fluids such as semen.

Another scientific explanation is that the foreskin traps HIV in a moist environment near the surface of the penis, allowing the HIV to live longer, also small foreskin tears that may occur during intercourse provide an entryway for the virus.

Important to note is that circumcision appears to reduce the risk of HIV infection, it does not eliminate the risk. Circumcision should not be viewed as a substitute for safer sex methods.

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