A Few Things To Consider Before Making The Cut
Making decisions for your newborn feels daunting. When you have a boy, you face one right off the bat. Should you circumcise your son? There’s no clear-cut right answer. Circumcision has some possible health benefits, but it also requires surgery. What is the right choice for your family? Ultimately, only you can make that call.
Proponents of circumcision point out that the procedure has been tied to the prevention of STDs. Circumcision can help your son shrink his risk of contracting HPV, which is the most common sexually transmitted disease.
The act of circumcision, however, is an act of removal. Of course, something is lost in the process. The foreskin that gets excised contains thousands of nerve endings. It can be challenging to try to decide what is right for your son.
You don’t have to make your decision around the risks of the surgery, however, as they’re extremely minimal. Fewer than 3% of circumcisions result in minor complications, and the vast majority of those complications can be taken care of with a simple topical antibiotic.
If you think circumcision could be right for your son, it’s best to explore it while he’s a newborn. The risk for complications increases after your son leaves infanthood. The decision to circumcise isn’t an easy one, but it’s worth talking about with your pediatric surgeon. Understand your options can help you gain clarity on whether or not circumcision is the right course of action.
Would you like to talk to a caring expert about what might be right for your son? Our dedicated team is here to help you make the best decision for your family. Contact the Pediatric Surgical Associates for all your pediatric surgical needs. Our pediatric surgeons in Orange County are experts at protecting your kids’ health and wellness!