Cultural and health aspects to circumcision

Cultural circumcision

Circumcision happens for non-religious reasons as well as religious.

In the Philippines, it has become a social tradition with boys usually being circumcised in a coming-of-age ritual.

It is also a common practice in South Korea where it is associated with maintaining hygiene.

Concerns about hygiene, health and curbing masturbation led to an increase in circumcisions in the UK during the last half of the 19th century.

The procedure was also widespread in the USA for most of the 20th century and many baby boys still undergo circumcision. But in Australia the rate of circumcision on baby boys has dropped over the last 40 years, from 90% to between 10-20%.

Circumcision had already become less popular in the UK by the time the National Health Service was created in 1946. The NHS refused to fund the procedure due to beliefs that it had no medical benefit in the majority of cases.

Findings from a survey carried out in 2000 showed that between 10-20% of British males reported being circumcised.

Debate on circumcision

Circumcision is a controversial topic that provokes strong arguments for and against the practice.

Benefits

Circumcision reduces the risk of developing urinary infections and cancer of the penis.

Studies also show that circumcised men have less chance of getting sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, herpes and syphilis.

The World Health Organisation recommends male circumcision - alongside condom usage and fewer sexual partners - as a prevention of heterosexually-acquired HIV.

In 2002, scientists found that women who have sex with a circumcised man were at a lower risk of developing cervical cancer.

Medical research in 2009 also showed that male circumcision reduced the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause genital warts in both sexes, as well as cervical cancer in women.

Disadvantages

Evidence that the foreskin has a large proportion of sensitive nerve endings has led critics to say that circumcised men experience less pleasure during sex, although there is no conclusive proof for this.

Opponents also argue that potential post-operative complications, such as excessive bleeding and infections, overshadow any possible benefits.

They say that circumcision is an unnecessary procedure.

Another criticism is that the procedure tends to happens when a boy is too young to make an informed decision about whether he should be circumcised.

Some also refer to circumcision as genital mutilation.

Medical stance in the UK

Male circumcision can sometimes be necessary to treat certain medical conditions, such as paraphimosis.

However, when it is performed for religious or cultural reasons, it is then known as ritual or non-therapeutic circumcision.

This form of circumcision is assumed to be lawful in the UK, provided both parents give their consent and it is carried out competently. The British Medical Association have outlined that the boy's interest and wishes must also be taken into account.

But doctors can refuse to perform a non-therapeutic circumcision if it goes against their conscience.

Find out more

• Female circumcision