The Medical Pros and Cons

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
Certain bacteria, which tend to be the culprits of urinary tract infections (UTIs), easily adhere to the foreskin. This is felt to be the reason why uncircumcised males have approximately a 6 to 10 times greater risk for UTIs. Opponents of routine circumcision point to the fact that these studies may have been flawed. It is generally agreed that the incidence of UTIs during the first year of life are greater in uncircumcised males. Wheter or not this number is significantly higher is debatable.

BALANOPOSTHITIS
This is inflammation of the glans penis (the tip of the penis) and foreskin. It has been shown that uncircumcised males have a higher incidence of penile inflammatory disorders, and that 5 to 10 percent of boys experiencing this disorder will eventually undergo circumcision. However, it is thought that with careful hygiene and cleansing, these infections and complications may be substantially reduced. On the other hand, proponents of circumcision point to studies which show it is difficult to achieve good genital hygiene in boys throughout most of childhood.