Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
INTRODUCTION:
Circumcision is a widely practiced procedure, but as research has progressed, its value beyond a purely cosmetic or cultural purpose has come into question. Outside of a religious context, circumcision has been popularized by the belief that it has significant medical benefits that justify the permanent removal of the foreskin in a neonate. These benefits include, but are not limited to, a reduction in urinary tract infections, transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, and penile cancer. However, recent studies have shown that these reductions are minimal, especially in countries where AIDS is no longer an epidemic. Other studies have also introduced potential long-term psychosexual effects of circumcision. This presentation hopes to provide a balanced exploration of the latest data on the long-term benefits and risks associated with circumcision so that physicians and parents may make more informed decisions concerning the health of their neonate.
METHODS: Several reputable articles largely published in the last six years were analyzed and summarized into a cohesive presentation of the most up-to-date information.
RESULTS:
The studies that have been recently performed have researched impact on adult personality, libido, as well as penile injury in early childhood. Data was collected via surveys and medical databases with patient records. They reported in adults increased social insecurity, increased desire for short term sexual relationships, and increase in penile injuries.
The most common stated adverse long term effect of circumcision is psychosexual stress. A study by Andrea Miani et. Al (2020), surveyed 408 circumcised men and 211 uncircumcised men, found greater insecure attachment(p=0.009) in circumcised men. This data point, along with others collected in the study, did not account for various confounding factors such as religion. Its population of circumcised men is also twice as large as the uncircumcised men.
Opposing studies showed minimal to no long-term effects from circumcision. They used DNA samples, medical databases, and literature reviews to gather evidence to support their stance. Cumulative review showed no greater chance of injury-psychological or physical- from a neonate male being circumcised. They also proved inconsistencies in the research supporting significant long term adverse effects.
The most common stated benefit of circumcision is reduction in urinary tract infections[UTI]. The rate of circumcised infant males with UTI is 0.22%(Schoen et al., Pediatrics). The rate of an uncircumcised male is 2.22% which is nearly equivalent to the rate of female infants (2.07%)( Schoen et al., Pediatrics). In adulthood, a metanalysis presented a 32.1% lifetime risk of UTI, but their adult male confidence intervals included the value of one, showing their adult data to be insignificant.
CONCLUSION: Circumcision is a permanent procedure with proven long-term impact, but the significance of that impact in developed countries, is shown to be highly dependent on parental preference and hygiene capabilities. Proven adverse effects from the procedure dwindle dramatically after the first few months of life. Taken all together, circumcision appears to be a cosmetic or cultural procedure, its stance as an important procedure for the health of the neonate is not adequality substantiated.
Embargo Period
5-28-2026
Included in
Literature Review: Long-term Effects of Circumcised Neonates vs Uncircumcised Neonates
Moultrie, GA
INTRODUCTION:
Circumcision is a widely practiced procedure, but as research has progressed, its value beyond a purely cosmetic or cultural purpose has come into question. Outside of a religious context, circumcision has been popularized by the belief that it has significant medical benefits that justify the permanent removal of the foreskin in a neonate. These benefits include, but are not limited to, a reduction in urinary tract infections, transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, and penile cancer. However, recent studies have shown that these reductions are minimal, especially in countries where AIDS is no longer an epidemic. Other studies have also introduced potential long-term psychosexual effects of circumcision. This presentation hopes to provide a balanced exploration of the latest data on the long-term benefits and risks associated with circumcision so that physicians and parents may make more informed decisions concerning the health of their neonate.
METHODS: Several reputable articles largely published in the last six years were analyzed and summarized into a cohesive presentation of the most up-to-date information.
RESULTS:
The studies that have been recently performed have researched impact on adult personality, libido, as well as penile injury in early childhood. Data was collected via surveys and medical databases with patient records. They reported in adults increased social insecurity, increased desire for short term sexual relationships, and increase in penile injuries.
The most common stated adverse long term effect of circumcision is psychosexual stress. A study by Andrea Miani et. Al (2020), surveyed 408 circumcised men and 211 uncircumcised men, found greater insecure attachment(p=0.009) in circumcised men. This data point, along with others collected in the study, did not account for various confounding factors such as religion. Its population of circumcised men is also twice as large as the uncircumcised men.
Opposing studies showed minimal to no long-term effects from circumcision. They used DNA samples, medical databases, and literature reviews to gather evidence to support their stance. Cumulative review showed no greater chance of injury-psychological or physical- from a neonate male being circumcised. They also proved inconsistencies in the research supporting significant long term adverse effects.
The most common stated benefit of circumcision is reduction in urinary tract infections[UTI]. The rate of circumcised infant males with UTI is 0.22%(Schoen et al., Pediatrics). The rate of an uncircumcised male is 2.22% which is nearly equivalent to the rate of female infants (2.07%)( Schoen et al., Pediatrics). In adulthood, a metanalysis presented a 32.1% lifetime risk of UTI, but their adult male confidence intervals included the value of one, showing their adult data to be insignificant.
CONCLUSION: Circumcision is a permanent procedure with proven long-term impact, but the significance of that impact in developed countries, is shown to be highly dependent on parental preference and hygiene capabilities. Proven adverse effects from the procedure dwindle dramatically after the first few months of life. Taken all together, circumcision appears to be a cosmetic or cultural procedure, its stance as an important procedure for the health of the neonate is not adequality substantiated.