Circumcised or not, which is better for health? & bull; hello healthy

You are certainly familiar with the circumcision tradition that exists in society. Simply put, circumcision is described as the removal of the foreskin, aka the prepuce. Usually, this is done for a variety of reasons. Whether it's cultural traditions, religious beliefs, or self-cleansing. Although it is not actually medically required, which one is better for men's health, circumcision or not? Check out the answer below.

From a medical perspective, should men be circumcised?

Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes the foreskin or tissue that covers the head of the penis. Circumcision is usually done on the first or second day after birth, it could also be when the child reaches school age. However, there are also men who have been circumcised when they are adults, usually following their mental readiness.

Reporting from WebMD, doing circumcision for medical or health reasons is still a matter of debate for experts. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that men who are circumcised from birth get more health benefits than the risks.

An uncircumcised penis is more susceptible to bacterial development. The reason is, the skin of the foreskin that is not removed can become a gathering place for dirt. If left untreated, the waste can accumulate and cause infection in the male reproductive organs.

If a man is not circumcised, this means he has to really clean his penis properly - including when pulling the skin of the foreskin. Make sure that no soap residue gets trapped in the skin of the foreskin. Because if not, this can cause irritation of the sensitive skin on the head of the penis.

Although there is no specific medical recommendation, it is best for men to be circumcised to make it easier to clean the penis. This is useful to avoid possible infections of the head of the penis that can be carried to adulthood.

What are the benefits of circumcision for health?

Rather than being uncircumcised, the benefits of circumcision are in fact far more numerous. The reason is, men will find it easier to keep the tip of the penis cleaner because there is no more skin covering that can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

In addition, circumcision has been shown to provide many health benefits, including:

Reducing the risk of urinary tract infections. Although the risk of urinary tract infection in men tends to be low, it is more common in uncircumcised men.
Reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Circumcised men have a lower risk of sexually transmitted infections such as HPV, genital herpes, syphilis, and even HIV / AIDS.
Protects against the risk of penile cancer in men and cervical cancer in female partners. Although penile cancer is rare, circumcised men tend to be safer from penile cancer.
Prevent various penile diseases. About three percent of boys who are not circumcised will end up requesting circumcision as they get older. This is because adulthood often experiences phimosis or a condition in which the foreskin of the penis cannot be pulled back.
Prevent balanitis (sore and swollen head of the penis) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the head of the penis and foreskin).

Just like any surgical procedure, the circumcision process also has side effects that may arise even though the risk is lower. Some of the possible side effects are as follows:

Risk of bleeding and infection in the circumcised area
Irritation of the glands
Increased risk of meatitis (inflammation of the opening of the penis)
Risk of injury to the penis

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that circumcised babies under one year of age experienced circumcision side effects by 0.5 percent. However, circumcision is not recommended for premature babies whose health conditions are unstable.

Basically, men should do the circumcision procedure from infancy. This is because the risk or side effects of circumcision can increase 10-20 times higher if done after the child is old enough.

However, be sure to always consult a doctor before deciding whether to be circumcised or not. Here you can ask about the benefits and risks of circumcision before making the decision to circumcise your baby boy. Choose a professional doctor so that circumcision runs smoothly and has minimal side effects.