Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin from the penis. The procedure takes less than an hour and the infant is asleep. The benefits of circumcision include reduced risk of penile cancer, fewer urinary tract infections, and decreased risk of contracting venereal diseases.
Many parents choose to circumcise for cosmetic reasons.
Making the decision to circumcise can be difficult, because circumcision is currently a topic of debate. Opponents of circumcision argue that the majority of the sensation is felt in the foreskin, so circumcision decreases sexual pleasure. Circumcision should not be performed on infants with hypospadias, since the foreskin may be needed for the repair of hypospadias. If circumcision is not performed shortly after birth, it is recommended to wait until the child is twelve months old. It is a defect of the penis in which the urethra opens on the underside of the penis.