Choosing whether to circumcise your baby is one of the first big decisions you’ll make as their parent, and it’s one you shouldn’t take lightly.
“Circumcision is a highly personal choice,” says Abd-El-Rahman “A.R.” Abd-El-Barr, MD, a pediatric urologist at AdventHealth Tampa. “But talking to your doctor can help you make a decision that’s right for you — and for your baby.”
What Is Circumcision?
Circumcision is surgery to remove the foreskin, which is the layer of skin that covers the end of the penis. While many cultures perform newborn circumcision as a religious rite or ceremonial tradition, it’s largely performed as an elective procedure in the United States.
Circumcision can be performed at any age and in any setting, but it’s most common just after birth at the hospital or within the first month of a baby’s life. And your baby must be healthy to have the procedure.
The procedure itself takes just a few minutes. The doctor will usually apply a topical anesthetic to the area to reduce pain, and healing takes about a week to 10 days.
Circumcision Benefits
In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised its position on circumcision to state that evidence indicated the health benefits of newborn circumcision outweigh the risks.
One of the main health benefits of circumcision is genital hygiene, meaning the area is easier to keep clean and free from bacteria.
Some of the other health benefits include:
- A lower risk of:
- HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
- Penile cancer
- Sexually transmitted infections, including genital herpes, HPV and syphilis
- UTIs
- Prevention of:
- Infection
- Phimosis, a condition in uncircumcised males that makes foreskin retraction impossible
Yet in addition to health benefits, there are other reasons you may choose circumcision for your baby, Dr. Abd-El-Barr says.
“Many parents choose to have it done because all the other men in the family have,” he says. “Or just because they don’t want their son to feel ‘different.’”
Also, certain religions, such as Jewish and Islamic faiths, practice circumcision for religious and cultural reasons.
Circumcision Risks
Despite circumcision’s benefits, it does come with certain risks. As with all surgical procedures, for example, there is a small potential for complications, such as bleeding and infection.
According to the AAP, you should call your child’s doctor right away if:
- Bleeding at the surgical site doesn’t stop.
- Redness around the surgical site gets worse after three to five days.
- Yellow discharge lasts longer than a week.
- Your baby doesn’t urinate within six to eight hours after the circumcision.
Your beliefs may also lead you to decide not to circumcise. For instance, some people believe that the foreskin helps protect the tip of the penis. Others believe that circumcision can affect sexual sensation later in life.
There isn’t a right or wrong when it comes to circumcision, Dr. Abd-El-Barr says. Still, if you choose not to circumcise, you should talk to your child’s doctor about how to keep their penis clean. It will take a few years for the foreskin to fully retract, and you shouldn’t force it.
Circumcision Revision
In some cases, a child may need a circumcision revision surgery later in infancy or childhood. A circumcision revision is a simple procedure to remove extra foreskin or smooth out uneven healing from the original circumcision. This can help prevent irritation, discomfort or hygiene challenges as your child grows.
A revision may also be recommended if the remaining foreskin becomes tight and difficult to retract, or if adhesions — areas where the skin sticks to the head of the penis — develop over time. Your child’s doctor can perform a full evaluation and recommend whether a revision could improve their comfort and long-term genital health.
Talk With a Pediatric Urologist You Can Trust
Each family’s decision is different – and you deserve clear, compassionate guidance as you make the choice that feels right for your child. Our pediatric urology team is here to answer your questions, walk you through what to expect and help you feel confident about your baby’s care.
To learn more or schedule a consultation, call Call813-756-1755 to connect with AdventHealth Medical Group Pediatric Urology at Tampa.
About Dr. A.R.
Abd-El-Rahman (A.R.) Abd-El-Barr, MD, is a board-certified pediatric urologist who is committed to providing compassionate and conscientious care to his patients with the help of a multidisciplinary team, to provide optimal outcomes.
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