By Brent McNutt

Male circumcision refers to the removal of the foreskin of the penis, the skin covering its tip. The foreskin, also called the prepuce, is a natural and retractile protective covering of the glans of the penis. This is the most erotogenic area of the penis that contains specialized nerve receptors and stretch receptors. It has over 240 feet of nerves and over 1,000 nerve endings.

Although routine circumcision is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), some parents opt to have their male children circumcised. The decision to have their children circumcised usually depends on the parents' religious, cultural, and personal beliefs and preferences. If you have a male child and you find it hard to decide whether to have him circumcised or not, the following facts and figures may help you make a decision.

• Circumcision in the United States is usually done before a newly born baby leaves the hospital. In fact, more than 55 percent of babies are circumcised before leaving the hospital. Every day in this country, over 3,000 routine circumcisions are performed on infant boys.

• Studies have found both medical benefits as well as risks to circumcision. One of the common benefits is that it lowers the risk of certain health problems such as urinary tract infections, penile cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases. Urinary tract infections occur in 1 out of 100 uncircumcised boys in the first year of life. For circumcised boys, the rate is lower with 1 out of 1,000. As for the risks, these include pain, bleeding, and infection. The older the boy is, the greater the risks are.

• Parents have different reasons for having their male children circumcises but the three most common are religious, traditional, and hygienic reasons. Other less popular reasons include peer pressure, conforming to family customs, and prevention of tight or non-retractile foreskin.

• Although hygiene is among the most popular reasons for circumcision, the AAP states that the uncircumcised penis is easy to clean and that no special care is required.

• Circumcision can affect sexuality. Some hold beliefs that men that are circumcised are able to make their partners more sexually satisfied because there is less friction involved with a circumcised penis. Moreover, bacteria and odors that can build up in the foreskin can also affect sexual health.

• The United States is the only country in the world that practices circumcision for non-religious reasons. In fact, over 90% of infant circumcisions in this country are for purposes other than religion.

• There is no accurate statistical record for complications for infant circumcision. But possible complications may include lacerations, skin bridges, chordee, meatitis, meatal stenosis, urinary retention, glans necrosis, hemorrhage, meningitis, sepsis, gangrene, and penile loss.

• Infant circumcision may affect feeding habits and interaction of a child. Infants who undergo a painful circumcision are found to feed and interact less after.

• Penile cancer is very rare even among non-circumcised males. Studies indicate that 99 percent of non-circumcised do not develop penile cancer.

Parents have different reasons for wanting to have their children circumcised. Ultimately, the decision would depend on you and your spouse, and your child if you wait for him to grow up before having him circumcised. Make sure you think about this matter many times before you make a choice.