Circumcision is a common, minor surgical procedure which is performed about 1.2 million times per year in the United States. The same procedure (including sterilized equipment) that occurs at the hospital and the doctor's office will occur at your home. As an obstetrician/gynecologist I have performed thousands of circumcisions on babies I have delivered without any complications.

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In addition to the religious significance of circumcision, there are some medical benefits. These include a reduction in urinary tract infections (on the order of three to ten times less frequent than in those who are not circumcised) and an almost complete elimination of penile cancer. Sexually transmitted diseases are less likely to be transmitted if you are circumcised (including AIDS). There is no evidence that circumcision affects sexual function or the ability to feel pleasure. In fact, a survey of adult males suggested less sexual dysfunction in circumcised adult men.

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As with any medical procedure, it is important to know about the risks. These include bleeding, infection and a poor cosmetic result. Fortunately, these occur at a rate of approximately 0.2%, and most of these are minor bleeding. More serious complications are extremely rare and are usually related to faulty technique, untrained individuals performing the procedure, or unsafe circumstances for the procedure.

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