Type of circumcision?

[ronaldraygun]

Hello all,

Due to recurrent balanitis as well as a few other factors, I'm going to be getting circumcised in a few weeks. I started researching the topic and was shocked to discover that there are like 100 ways to do a circumcision...low, high, tight, loose, various techniques and combinations thereof. Anyway, I've seen the studies about the reduced risk of HIV, HPV, and other infections in circumcised men, but I've never seen any info about what type of circumcision these men had. Does it not matter? I figure if I'm going to do this I may as well do it right and get the most health benefits out of it.

[ml66uk]

If circumcision really is unavoidable, I'd have one as loose as possible, so you get to keep as much of the inner foreskin as possible, since that's where most of the feeling is. I'd get a second opinion first though. US doctors are much quicker to recommend a circumcision than doctors in any other country, and a more conservative treatment may work. Circumcision should be a last resort.

If you're worried about AIDS, then don't have unsafe sex with HIV+ partners.

Chances are you have HPV already, as over 80% of the population have some kind of it, circumcised or not.

[Brandye]

All are more alike than different. Whether or not there is a noticeable difference is not known because once it is done men do not have it redone. Your primary interest should be in preventing a recurrence of the balanitis. The rest is more doctors selling their service than real in the outcome. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and I am certain he could give you a heart shaped fringe if you wish.

Good for you taking this step. Balanitis is one of many conditions that can be cleared up with circumcision. As a woman, I think there are other equally important benefits for your friends of the future.

Do not be too concerned with the previous post. There are over 100 varieties of HPV. There are only a few of these that cause problems. And if you look around you will find several threads on circumcision (as recently as yesterdy) containing more emotion than reality. It is not a last resort; it is the best treatment available for your problem. And that is a European view!

[ronaldraygun]

Originally Posted by ml66uk

If circumcision really is unavoidable, I'd have one as loose as possible, so you get to keep as much of the inner foreskin as possible, since that's where most of the feeling is. I'd get a second opinion first though. US doctors are much quicker to recommend a circumcision than doctors in any other country, and a more conservative treatment may work. Circumcision should be a last resort.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not quite in last resort territory, but the totality of the situation (difficult condom use, female preference, reduced infections) has convinced me that circumcision is the right decision.

Originally Posted by ml66uk

If you're worried about AIDS, then don't have unsafe sex with HIV+ partners.

This sounds nice but I don't think it's practical. There's broken condoms, drunken mistakes, unfaithful partners, etc. Why not give myself the additional protection?

Originally Posted by Brandye

All are more alike than different. Whether or not there is a noticeable difference is not known because once it is done men do not have it redone. Your primary interest should be in preventing a recurrence of the balanitis. The rest is more doctors selling their service than real in the outcome. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and I am certain he could give you a heart shaped fringe if you wish.

Thank you. That is good to know. My referral surgeon has his own style that he does, but I also had the option of paying out of pocket for someone who specializes. However that option was several thousands of dollars.

Originally Posted by Brandye

Good for you taking this step. Balanitis is one of many conditions that can be cleared up with circumcision. As a woman, I think there are other equally important benefits for your friends of the future.

Do not be too concerned with the previous post. There are over 100 varieties of HPV. There are only a few of these that cause problems. And if you look around you will find several threads on circumcision (as recently as yesterdy) containing more emotion than reality. It is not a last resort; it is the best treatment available for your problem. And that is a European view!

Once again, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

[ml66uk]

Originally Posted by Brandye

Good for you taking this step. Balanitis is one of many conditions that can be cleared up with circumcision. As a woman, I think there are other equally important benefits for your friends of the future.

Do not be too concerned with the previous post. There are over 100 varieties of HPV. There are only a few of these that cause problems. And if you look around you will find several threads on circumcision (as recently as yesterdy) containing more emotion than reality. It is not a last resort; it is the best treatment available for your problem. And that is a European view!

You seem rather keen for Ronald to be circumcised. About 95% of the world's non-Muslim males are not circumcised, yet both they and their "friends of the future" seem to manage just fine without genital surgery.

There are different forms of balanitis, most of which are not treated by circumcision, so it is premature in the extreme for you to suggest that circumcision is the "best treatment available". Circumcised men can get balanitis too - what do you suggest then?

Having just read yesterday's thread, I find that your posts contain most emotion than reality. You might be European, but your views on circumcision most definitely are not. Might I ask if you are from a circumcising culture? (eg Muslim, Jewish, or the USA)

What if we could show that female circumcision cuts down the rates of some STD's? Such evidence already exists as you probably already know, but it doesn't justify any form of female circumcision. Before anyone points it out, I know that the severe forms of female circ are far worse than standard male circ, but some forms do less damage, and one is the exact equivalent.

[Brandye]

Yes, the men manage just fine, thank you, the women are the ones who pay the price. In much of the world with high mortality, cervical cancer is not measured because the women do not live long enough for it to develop. As stated in the thread you allude to, even China and Japan, where circumcision is not common, are debating education and health poicies to encourage circumcision.

Emotion v. reality? Citing studies mostly from the World Health Organization and various National Health Centers. You cannot be serious.

Longer term Board members are quite familiar with my background. Scot, born in the Hebrides. Education in England; med school, Germany and post-doc studies in Canada. You could have found that in my prodile or dozens of threads. My views are scientific rather than geo-centric.

Your comments comparing male and female circumcision cannot be serious.

[sera300]

Originally Posted by Brandye

Yes, the men manage just fine, thank you, the women are the ones who pay the price. In much of the world with high mortality, cervical cancer is not measured because the women do not live long enough for it to develop. As stated in the thread you allude to, even China and Japan, where circumcision is not common, are debating education and health poicies to encourage circumcision.

Emotion v. reality? Citing studies mostly from the World Health Organization and various National Health Centers. You cannot be serious.

Longer term Board members are quite familiar with my background. Scot, born in the Hebrides. Education in England; med school, Germany and post-doc studies in Canada. You could have found that in my prodile or dozens of threads. My views are scientific rather than geo-centric.

Your comments comparing male and female circumcision cannot be serious.

Brandye:

I think what is lost is the comparison of male circumcisions to those females who get the cervix & endometrial lining biopsies due to abnormal paps...

Circumcised once v. nearly a life time of "punch" biopsies...think I prefer the first, once done & over with since the latter out-come is not so pleasant especially when dealing with female mortality rates needlessly.

[Brandye]

Or he could also be addressing female phimosis which prevents clitoral stimulation. The procedure is essentially a trim of the hood. I have never encountered a case.

[sera300]

Originally Posted by Brandye

Or he could also be addressing female phimosis which prevents clitoral stimulation. The procedure is essentially a trim of the hood. I have never encountered a case.

I assume what you state IS what he is referring to or what was seen years ago in old African tribes. Never seen any myself either.

But seen the pain from the biopsies from carelessness or a careless partner. Hell, had them done myself! Now that end of excruciating discomfort, over and over, and one wishes to debate the cut in a new born?

Look at a woman dying form HIV or C. cancer due to a negligent spouse...which outweighs which?

[ml66uk]

Originally Posted by Brandye

Yes, the men manage just fine, thank you, the women are the ones who pay the price. In much of the world with high mortality, cervical cancer is not measured because the women do not live long enough for it to develop. As stated in the thread you allude to, even China and Japan, where circumcision is not common, are debating education and health poicies to encourage circumcision.

Emotion v. reality? Citing studies mostly from the World Health Organization and various National Health Centers. You cannot be serious.

Longer term Board members are quite familiar with my background. Scot, born in the Hebrides. Education in England; med school, Germany and post-doc studies in Canada. You could have found that in my prodile or dozens of threads. My views are scientific rather than geo-centric.

Your comments comparing male and female circumcision cannot be serious.

Suggesting (twice) that I can't be serious, and describing opposing views as rants is hardly a sign of objectivity.

I honestly don't expect the circ rates in China or Japan to change much any time soon, though again, please post more if you think I'm wrong.

The link between circumcision and cervical cancer is nowhere near as clear-cut as you suggest, and no national medical organisation recommends circumcision (not even in Israel). If you think I'm wrong, then please post details.

If circumcision is as good as you suggest, then why isn't there at least one national medical organisation that recommends it?