Baby boy circumcision can be done within a few days after the newborn. However, there are some things to consider because infant circumcision is a fairly complex procedure. Before you make a decision, let's look at the explanation about the benefits and risks of baby circumcision in the following article.
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin or skin covering the tip or head of the penis. In Indonesia, circumcision procedures are mostly carried out due to religious and traditional factors. Meanwhile, from a medical point of view, circumcision is considered to have a number of health benefits.
However, the circumcision procedure also has some risks, especially if it is performed on infants.
Know the Various Risks of Circumcision in Baby Boys
The risk of complications from circumcision is low and only occurs in 1–2% of all circumcised infants. Most of the complications that may arise are infection and bleeding.
In addition to infection and bleeding, circumcision can also cause complications such as:
- Injury to the penis
- Inflammation
- at the opening of the penis (meatitis)
- Disorders of the urinary tract, such as narrowing of the urinary tract in the penis
- Pain during erection as an adult due to too much skin being cut
- Problems with the foreskin, such as the foreskin failing to heal properly or the foreskin sticking to the tip of the penis and requiring surgical repair
Health Benefits of Circumcision for Baby Boys
Although male circumcision has risks, the medical benefits are far greater. The following are a number of health benefits that your little one can get if circumcised:
1. Prevent penis problems
In some cases, the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis can stick firmly to the head of the penis and cause phimosis. This can then lead to inflammation of the foreskin or head of the penis.
2. Reducing the risk of infection in the penis
According to research, uncircumcised babies are at a higher risk of developing urinary tract infections than circumcised babies. One reason is that a circumcised penis is easier to keep clean.
3. Reduces the risk of penile cancer
Penile cancer is a rare type of cancer, both in circumcised and uncircumcised people. However, that does not mean that everyone is completely free from the possibility of penile cancer.
One effort you can do to keep your little one from the risk of penile cancer is to circumcise him. Besides being believed to be effective in preventing children from the dangers of penile cancer, circumcision is also thought to reduce the risk of prostate cancer when he grows up.
4. Reducing the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases
In addition to nourishing the reproductive organs, circumcision also provides long-term benefits for your baby after he grows up. Circumcision is said to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
However, this still needs to be accompanied by safe sex behavior, namely by using a condom every time you have sex and not changing sexual partners.
There is nothing wrong or right with the decision to circumcise a boy, unless the baby was born prematurely, has a blood clotting disorder, or suffers from a genetic disorder. In this case, circumcision needs to be reconsidered the benefits and risks.
If you are still unsure about whether your little one needs to be circumcised, try to consult a doctor.
