3 Interesting Facts About Circumcision

Even though healthy infant boys don’t require circumcision, some parents still choose to have their infant boys undergo the procedure. One of the main reasons for this is tradition. Circumcision is a tradition practiced among various cultures all over the world.

Some parents decide to have their boys circumcised for other reasons, which may include health reasons. Despite the extensive practice of ancient practice, some people still have misconceptions about the practice. Below are some of the things you need to know about circumcision, even as you make your appointment with the circumcision doctor.

Circumcision Fact 1. It was once perceived to be a status symbol

With the increase in infant male circumcision in the United States, the procedure soon became a status symbol when the practice was done by the wealthy. This is because, in the beginning, only the wealthy could afford to give birth to the hospitals. Consequently, infant circumcision of the boys soon became associated with the wealthy.

This was way before the hospitals became accessible to members of the lower class in the society. With the rise in the number of parents choosing to circumcise their infant, parents who didn’t circumcise their boys became the odd ones. More pressure was put on these parents to conform to the practice and thus make their children and themselves normal. The Jews are some of the cultures that are widely known to practice circumcision Adelaide for newborn boys. Thus, if a family practices Judaism, they are certainly going to have their newborn male go through the procedure.

Circumcision Fact 2. First Recorded in Egypt

The land of pharaohs was where the first recorded circumcision happened. However, circumcision there was done to boys who were undergoing puberty rather than on infant males. The practice was done to mark the end of the childhood stage and the beginning of adulthood stage.

This procedure dated back to 2400BC, according to historians. At the time, the Greeks, who were the Mediterranean neighbors of the Egyptians, regarded the practice as bizarre and thought the Egyptians did it for the sake of cleanliness.

Circumcision Fact 3. The Foreskin has a Mucous Membrane

Most people think of the foreskin as any other skin in the body. However, this is far from the truth as the foreskin features a mucous membrane that looks like the inside of the eyelid. Thus, the foreskin can be considered as the penis cover.

This mucous membrane is the reason why the foreskin is associated with multiple sexually transmitted diseases. This is because the moist nature of the mucous membrane provides a conducive environment for the germs and viruses to thrive.

Moreover, the foreskin has a massive number of Langerhans cells. Langehans cells are immune cells that are highly targeted by HIV infection.

Other than as a tradition, circumcision can be done when one has a condition that makes it difficult for their foreskin to roll back. This condition is also known as phimosis.

Circumcision can be done at any time from infancy to adulthood. However, be sure it is done safely by having it done by a circumcision doctor. The procedure is typically done within a few minutes for penis after circumcision and up to an hour for adult males.