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Circumcision for baby boys: Weighing the pros and cons
Other considerations
Circumcision shouldn't be done when a baby's urethral opening is in an abnormal position on the side or base of the penis. This condition is treated surgically and may require the foreskin for repair. Circumcision may not be an option in an infant with ambiguous genitalia or a family history of hemophilia.
Circumcision doesn't affect fertility. Whether the procedure enhances or detracts from sexual pleasure for men or their partners remains unknown.
The procedure
Circumcision is often done in the hospital nursery. It may be done in an outpatient setting as well.
Your son will lie on his back with his arms and legs restrained. After the penis and surrounding area are cleansed, an anesthetic will be injected into the base of the penis. A special clamp or plastic ring will be attached to the penis, and the foreskin will be removed. Afterward, the penis will be covered with an ointment, such as petroleum jelly, and wrapped loosely with gauze.
The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes.
Circumcision care
It will take about seven to 10 days for the penis to heal. The tip of the penis may seem raw at first, and you may notice a yellowish mucus or crust. A small amount of bleeding also is common the first day or two.
It's OK to wash the penis as it's healing. Change the bandage with each diaper change, and apply a dab of petroleum jelly to the tip of the penis to keep it from sticking to the diaper. If there's a plastic ring instead of a bandage, it will drop off on its own — usually within a week.
Problems after circumcision are rare. Call your baby's health care provider if:
- Your baby doesn't urinate normally within six to eight hours after the circumcision.
- There's persistent bleeding or redness around the tip of the penis.
- The tip of the penis is swollen.
- You suspect an infection — there's foul-smelling drainage from the tip of the penis, or crusted sores fill with fluid.
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