Circumcision: Should I keep my son's penis natural?

Male circumcision is a surgery to remove the foreskin, the natural covering of the penis. The foreskin provides sensation and lubrication for the penis. In most cases, circumcision is elective surgery, which means there isn't a medical reason for it. If it is done, circumcision is usually done soon after birth.

In the United States, about 60 out of 100 boys are circumcised, and about 40 out of 100 are not.² Worldwide, the rate of circumcision is much lower.

See a picture of a penis before and after circumcision .

If you do not want your baby to be circumcised, he should not be circumcised. Circumcision is a decision you make because you want it for your baby.

Your doctor may feel it's not safe to circumcise your baby if the baby is sick or weak, has a problem with his penis, has a family history of bleeding problems, or was born early (premature) and is not yet ready to go home.

Some swelling and slight bleeding are normal after circumcision. Your baby may be fussy and have trouble sleeping for the first few days. He may feel some pain for a few days when he urinates. For about 2 weeks, he may feel some pain whenever urine or stool touches the tip of the penis.

Your baby will probably start to feel better within 3 to 4 days after circumcision. Even though he may feel better, his penis may look worse. The penis will usually look better about 7 to 10 days after circumcision.

Problems from circumcision are not common. If they occur, they are usually short-term, such as minor bleeding or infection. Other possible problems include pain and irritation of the tip of the penis.

Long-term problems are even more uncommon, but they can include damage to the opening of the urethra, heavy bleeding, severe infection, or scarring.

Some people have concerns that circumcision can decrease sensitivity in the penis. Some people also wonder if circumcision disrupts the bonding that occurs between mother and son during breast-feeding. But there is not a lot of research about these concerns.

If your son is healthy, circumcision most likely will not affect his health either way. There may be some slight health benefits for circumcised males, but these must be weighed against the risks. Most experts in the United States agree that these possible benefits are not reason enough to choose circumcision.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend circumcision as a routine procedure for newborn males. When making this policy, the AAP looked at the possible benefits, risks, and costs of the procedure.¹ Other major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, agree with the AAP policy.

In the first year of life, urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen less often in circumcised boys than in boys who are not circumcised. But UTIs are not common. No studies support having circumcision done to prevent UTIs.^{3, 4, 5}

Some studies in other countries have shown that circumcised men are a little less likely than men who have not been circumcised to get a sexually transmitted disease (STD), including HIV.^{6, 7} But circumcision should not be done solely to prevent STDs or HIV.

Your child was born with a natural penis, and it is safe and healthy to keep it that way if you decide to do so.

When cleaning your son's natural penis, be careful not to force the foreskin to retract. As your son gets older, teach him how to wash and care for his penis. It's important to keep your son's penis clean whether he has been circumcised or not.

There may be reasons later in life when your son may need a circumcision. A boy or man may have problems retracting the foreskin or may have swelling of the foreskin that requires circumcision. But these problems are rare.

Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son can decide on his own later in life if he wants a circumcised penis.