Medical benefits of the foreskin?

[wautd]

Other that it makes sex more enjoyable, I could use some more ammo in a pro-circumcision debate.

[General Zod]

Looking at it from a benefits angle is kind of silly. I find it more useful to attack the arguments from the angle of unnecessary surgery, causing needless physical harm and the fact that the supposed benefits of having it done brings are greatly exaggerated.

[The Vortex Empire]

Looking at it from a benefits angle is kind of silly. I find it more useful to attack the arguments from the angle of unnecessary surgery, causing needless physical harm and the fact that the supposed benefits of having it done brings are greatly exaggerated.

Along with the fact that it is usually forced upon infants without their being able to give consent.

[wautd]

unnecessary surgery, causing needless physical harm

Along with the fact that it is usually forced upon infants without their being able to give consent.

Those were my points as well. The thing is, the guys claims lower transmission rate of HIV = medical benefit. I already claimed that the foreskin has a medical benefit as well (I'm pretty sure there are, just can't remember) so it'd be nice to counter that as well

[Aaron]

Those were my points as well. The thing is, the guys claims lower transmission rate of HIV = medical benefit. I already claimed that the foreskin has a medical benefit as well (I'm pretty sure there are, just can't remember) so it'd be nice to counter that as well

There was a thread on the HIV rates on the board, disproving it. I ran a search and couldn't find it but I'm sure if you PM Cairber that she'll have the study or know where you can get it.

[FSTargetDrone]

Other that it makes sex more enjoyable, I could use some more ammo in a pro-circumcision debate.

Straight from the University of Michigan Health System's site:

What is the purpose of the foreskin?

The foreskin on the penis is not some cosmic error. The foreskin has a purpose.

* It protects the glans (top of the penis) against urine, feces, and other types of irritation.
* It protects against infection or scarring of the urinary opening (although this is rare).
* It protects the sensitivity of the glans.

[FSTargetDrone]

Edit, I should have posted the whole thing:

Circumcision: Pros and Cons
What is a circumcision?

Circumcision means cutting off the foreskin, or ring of tissue, that covers the head of the penis. It is usually done the day your newborn goes home from the hospital.

Fewer children in the U.S. are being circumcised now than several years ago. In 1979, 90% of American males were circumcised compared to 60% now.

The following information should help you decide what is best for your son.
What is the history of circumcision?

Followers of the Jewish and Moslem faiths perform circumcision for religious reasons. Nonreligious circumcision became popular in English-speaking countries between 1920 and 1950. At this time it was thought that circumcision might help prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Circumcision never became a common practice in most parts of the world. Over 80% of the men in the world are not circumcised.
What is the purpose of the foreskin?

The foreskin on the penis is not some cosmic error. The foreskin has a purpose.

* It protects the glans (top of the penis) against urine, feces, and other types of irritation.
* It protects against infection or scarring of the urinary opening (although this is rare).
* It protects the sensitivity of the glans.

What are the pros?

Some of the reasons you may want to circumcise are:

* Protects against urinary tract infections (UTIs) during the first year of life. However, UTIs are rare and easily treated.
* Prevents infections under the foreskin. It also prevents persistent tight foreskin. Both of these problems are rare and are usually due to pulling back the foreskin too often or too hard.
* Decreases the risk of getting some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) later in life, including HIV. However, it does not completely prevent any STD.
* Lowers the risk of cancer of the penis. However, good hygiene offers equal protection against this very rare cancer.
* Keeps your son's appearance "like other boys" or "like his dad." Boys may not mind looking different from other men in their family. However, they do mind being harassed in the locker room or shower about their foreskin. This could happen if most of their buddies are circumcised.

What are the cons?

Some of the reasons not to circumcise include:

* Problems with surgery. Problems that may occur are skin or bloodstream infections, bleeding, gangrene, scarring, and various surgical accidents. One study showed that 1 of every 500 circumcised newborns suffered a serious side effect.
* Pain. The procedure causes pain. However, the doctor can use some anesthetic around the area to block some of the pain.
* Cost. You may have to pay for the surgery yourself because many insurance companies do not cover the cost.
* You must decide quickly. If you initially decide not to have your son circumcised, and then change your mind after your son is 2 months old, the procedure will require a general anesthesia. So try to make your final decision during the first month of life.

Recommendations

Circumcision of boys for religious purposes will continue. The need to circumcise other boys is open to question. Just because a father was circumcised doesn't mean that the son needs to be. Because the foreskin comes as standard equipment, you might consider leaving it intact, unless your son will be going to a school where everyone else is likely to be circumcised. The risks and benefits are both too small to swing the vote either way. This is a parental decision, not a medical decision.
Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.
Published by McKesson Provider Technologies.
Last modified: 2005-03-11
Last reviewed: 2006-03-02

As you can see, cons outweigh any benefit, which is addressed by competent hygiene. "Pros" seem largely cosmetic.

[Darth Servo]

I'd say not accidentally cutting off the little guy's schlong would constitute a legitimate benefit.

[PainRack]

having seen a real life circumsicion before, all I can say is.....eeewwww

[cosmicalstorm]

Yeah as a Swedish man I have a very hard time understanding why some people insist on cutting of parts of their infants genitalia, thats fucking wrong, a knife should never go anywhere near that part of a man unless there was a serious medical reason for it. Also, I cant imagine how hard it must be to masturbate without that extra skin

[Zixinus]

And how often do men stare at each other's dicks? It's supposedly rude.

[TheMuffinKing]

Also, I cant imagine how hard it must be to masturbate without that extra skin

It is very easy.

[PainRack]

Yeah as a Swedish man I have a very hard time understanding why some people insist on cutting of parts of their infants genitalia, thats fucking wrong, a knife should never go anywhere near that part of a man unless there was a serious medical reason for it. Also, I cant imagine how hard it must be to masturbate without that extra skin

I was squirming all the way when the surgeon sliced it apart..

As a nursing student, thank god I didn't ask to help out in that surgery and was a mere observer. If so, I would had been in a huge mess.

[Rye]

Other that it makes sex more enjoyable, I could use some more ammo in a pro-circumcision debate.

Think of it as an equivalent of an eyelid. Would you rather keep your eye open and exposed if there's a chance of it being damaged?

[wautd]

Other that it makes sex more enjoyable, I could use some more ammo in a pro-circumcision debate.

Think of it as an equivalent of an eyelid. Would you rather keep your eye open and exposed if there's a chance of it being damaged?

Already done. He just said "Which is completely non-necessary and can become infected."

Offcourse, turns out he is circumsised during childhood. I think most of these people shield themselves so that they can't see why it's unethical. Because if they would, they have to realize they've been screwed over.

[wautd]

Other that it makes sex more enjoyable, I could use some more ammo in a pro-circumcision debate.

Think of it as an equivalent of an eyelid. Would you rather keep your eye open and exposed if there's a chance of it being damaged?

Already done. He just said "Which is completely non-necessary and can become infected."

That was his reply regarding foreskin/gland offcourse, not the eyelid in case it can be read mistakingly

[Rye]

I'd just reply with "Well fuck, now you've totally convinced me to lop the ultra-sensitive tissue off the end of my cock at medical risk to myself! It's not "necessary"! Man, I can't wait for my glans to keratinise and for the scar tissue to form. Good work, man." Seriously, you don't have to have super-vision to reject non-medical eye-surgery. A normal penis doesn't have to be anything other than normal to remain as it is.

[K. A. Pital]

Also, I cant imagine how hard it must be to masturbate without that extra skin

Fairly easy for some of us actually, but that's due to the prior medical conditions of some of the people who get circumcised. Excessive sensitivity can pose a problem by making sex really painful - up to the point of impossible - instead of enjoyable. But that's not something a child can decide, only an adult can make that decision.

[ArmorPierce]

There was actually a study that seemed to indicate that the head of the penis in circumcised and non-circumcised man is little if any different. It was posted here somewhere.

[FSTargetDrone]

And how often do men stare at each other's dicks? It's supposedly rude.

I don't necessarily buy all of this "so Johnny looks like the other boys in school" argument either.

I went to an all-boys Catholic (usually circumcised anyway, as far as I know, though maybe it's less common now?) high school and we took gym (physical "education") almost every week. Showering was required (and anyway, most people do not want to smell the stink or sit in sweaty clothes for the next 4 class periods) and as far as I was concerned, my eyes rarely drifted downwards and then only so I wouldn't trip over the shower stall threshold. I didn't need, want or desire to see the other guys' equipment and I suspect most of them averted a similar gaze. If anyone wasn't circumcised, I doubt someone else would point it out, because then he would be laughingly jeered by at least half of the locker room with, "whatnafuck you lookin' at Bob's schlong for, dumbass?"

We were mostly concerned with getting in and out of the shower as fast as possible. Unfairly or not, we all assumed the Phys. Ed. teacher was a little too interested in making sure each of us showered, so it was best to hurry up and get the hell out of there.

Of course, and as an aside, that gym teacher wasn't the one who was busted for inappropriate contact with a student. That would be one of the priests. But that is another story.

[Kitsune]

Heard a few things myself.....

First, the man being more sensitive with a foreskin is suppose to be able to tell when he is about to reach a climax.

Second, "cutting" was started in the Nineteenth century to stop little boys from touching themselves. Basically, it was done for anti-masturbation.

Third, that the Foreskin can me made to actually grow back. Basically, a weight is used to make the skin grow and stretch....

[General Zod]

Third, that the Foreskin can me made to actually grow back. Basically, a weight is used to make the skin grow and stretch....

There are some restoration techniques available nowadays. But generally you will never gain back the full functionality you would have had otherwise.

[ArmorPierce]

Heard a few things myself.....

First, the man being more sensitive with a foreskin is suppose to be able to tell when he is about to reach a climax.

What uncircumcised guy isn't able to do that? Is that actually a problem with uncircumcised guys? I don't have that problem

Second, "cutting" was started in the Nineteenth century to stop little boys from touching themselves. Basically, it was done for anti-masturbation.

Maybe for christians and Europeans. For my people it started so sand wouldn't get under the foreskin and be an irritant and then evolved into a religious thing.

[ArmorPierce]

Also I don't have any problem masturbating. I don't know why anyone would need lube to do it. I guess it's possible that I have slightly more skin. The difference I notice between non-circumcised guys and me is that I have to beat faster I guess to make up for the fact that I can't stretch the skin up and down the shaft like that.

[Gomu Niwatari]

There was actually a study that seemed to indicate that the head of the penis in circumcised and non-circumcised man is little if any different. It was posted here somewhere.

Is this it?

Sure did get torn apart quickly.