Infant Male Genital Mutilation or Infant Circumcision Controversy
Male Circumcision and its Aftercare
Male circumcision is a common surgical procedure that involves the removal of the foreskin, or prepuce, from the penis. This practice exposes the glans and is often performed for cultural, religious, or medical reasons. After the procedure, antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly is applied to the wound, and it is covered with protective gauze. Parents and caregivers should clean the penis during every diaper change to prevent infection. It usually takes around 7-10 days for the penis to heal.
In the United States, 80.5% of American males aged 14-59 years and an estimated 58.3% of newborn babies are circumcised. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies receive local anesthesia before circumcision to prevent pain.
It's important to note that complications can arise, such as injury to the penis, infection, bleeding, excessive skin removal, scarring, pathologic phimosis, and meatal stenosis. However, research on the effect of circumcision on the sensitivity of the penis has been inconclusive.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends giving acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief after circumcision, but only under the advice of a medical professional. If swelling lasts longer than 3 days, yellow discharge is present after 7 days, the baby has a fever, or the baby has not passed urine within 6-8 hours after surgery, they should seek medical help.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and its Consequences
FGM, often mistakenly referred to as female circumcision, involves the removal of several important tissues that affect urination, sexual health, and childbirth. This practice is typically performed on female children and adolescents up to the age of 15.
The long-term health effects of FGM include chronic pain, infections, difficulties with urination and menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and complications during childbirth that can lead to death of the mother or newborn. Other consequences include urethral scarring or closure and psychological trauma.
Specifically, FGM often leads to:
- Difficulty expelling urine and menstrual blood
- Painful sexual intercourse due to scarring and tissue damage
- Urethral scarring or closure that can obstruct normal urinary function
- Obstetric complications including prolonged labor, increased risk of cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, and higher rates of maternal and newborn mortality
- Repeated procedures in some cultures (e.g., reinfibulation after childbirth) exacerbate these risks
Without insurance, on average, the procedure costs $247. FGM is recognized internationally as a human rights violation and an extreme form of gender-based violence. The severity of complications generally increases with the extent of cutting.
Over 230 million women worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM, highlighting its widespread impact. The physical, reproductive, and psychological harms caused by FGM, as well as the lack of any medical justification for the practice, are supported by sources from Equality Now and Britannica (2025).
References:
- Equality Now: Highlights severe bleeding, infections, childbirth complications, and no health benefits (2025) [1]
- Britannica: Details specific long-term physiological consequences such as urinary difficulties, painful intercourse, scarring, and childbirth risks (2025) [2]
- The caregiver should pay attention to the newborn's mental health and well-being, in addition to the physical healing of the circumcision, to ensure a comprehensive approach to the baby's health-and-wellness.
- Men's sexual health encompasses a broad range of topics, including the potential effects of circumcision on sensitivity, but research in this area has been inconsistent.
- Considering the importance of fitness-and-exercise for overall health, caregivers should encourage regular physical activity for children, including newborns, as they heal from circumcision.
- Beyond male circumcision, it's crucial to acknowledge the serious health consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on urinary function, reproductive health, sexual wellness, and mental health, highlighting the urgent need for worldwide efforts to end this practice as a human rights violation.
