Male circumcision may have more health benefits than researchers previously estimated.
Circumcision has increased to 81 percent over the past 10 years, and a recent study has shown "the benefits of infant male circumcision to health exceed the risks by over 100 to [one]," an Elsevier Health Sciences news release reported.
The research estimated that half of uncircumcised males would suffer a foreskin-related medical condition during their lifetimes.
In the U.S. circumcision rates have risen to 91 percent in white males, 76 percent in black males, and 44 percent in Hispanic males.
"The new findings now show that infant circumcision should be regarded as equivalent to childhood vaccination and that as such it would be unethical not to routinely offer parents circumcision for their baby boy. Delay puts the child's health at risk and will usually mean it will never happen," Brian Morris, Professor Emeritus in the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Sydney said in the news release.
One of the largest benefits of circumcision is that it can prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs); these infections damage the kidneys of half of the babies who contract them. UTIs will affect one in three uncircumcised males according to the study.
A study with Morris and John Krieger, MD of the Department of Urology, University of Washington suggested there is "no adverse effect of circumcision on sexual function, sensitivity, or pleasure. This helped dispel one myth perpetuated by opponents of the procedure," the news release reported.
The researchers hope these new findings send a "strong message" to "medical practitioners, professional bodies, educators, policy makers, governments, and insurers "that safe circumcision should be widely encouraged. The researchers hope this will encourage medical coverage that includes this procedure for families that would not be able to otherwise afford it.
The team believes the procedure saves money by preventing future health problems.
