As far back as 3000 BC, Egyptians and Aztecs began performing circumcision for purposes of hygiene (Circumcision - History and Recent Trends). A few centuries later, the Old Testament (Genesis 17:10-11) proclaimed “…You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between [God] and you” (Reading the Old Testament). Then, the procedure gained popularity as a routine surgery in America in the late nineteenth century when in 1896 a very popular parenting book entitled All About Baby recommended circumcision for most boys to “halt the vile habit of masturbation” (Mothers Who Think). Nowadays, sixty percent of American males are circumcised in the United States (Infant Male Circumcision is not in the Best Interests of the Health & Rights of the Child). While there are some minor arguable benefits to circumcision such as reduced risks of urinary tract infections, cancer of the penis, transmitting STDs, there is the possibility of trauma to the infant, infection, and deformities not to mention sex and health risks as adults.
In the U.S., over 1.25 million [male] infants are annually circumcised; that’s more than 3,300 babies each day and one child every 26 seconds (Infant Male Circumcision is not in the Best Interests of the Health & Rights of the Child). In males, circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes some or the entire foreskin from the penis. Most male infants are circumcised at birth in the hospital where they are born. Others are circumcised as part of a religious ceremony. Possible benefits to circumcision are reduced risks of urinary tract infections, reduced risk of penile cancer, and reduced risk of transmitting STDs.
Firstly, it is true that circumcision does reduce the risks of urinary tract infections; however, studies find that urinary tract infections are only reduced during the infant’s first year of life. Secondly, it is proposed that circumcision reduced the risk of penile cancer. According to VHI Healthcare, penile cancer is an “extremely rare cancer” (VHI Healthcare). Also, VHI Healthcare goes on to state that “good personal hygiene is equally protective [against penile cancer as circumcision]” (VHI Healthcare). And thirdly, it is believed that men who are circumcised have less of a chance of transmitting and contracting STDs. This theory is true to a certain extent because according to Maggie Fox of Reuters.com, “sexual intercourse may cause tiny tears in the foreskin, allowing [viruses] into the bloodstream” (Fox). However it is also stated that if a man uses condoms or not is more “important in STD prevention than whether or not he is circumcised.” So while these benefits to a certain extent are valid, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that “the benefits of circumcision are not significant enough to recommend circumcision as a routine procedure” (VHI Healthcare).
In addition to the benefits of circumcision, there are also a number of detriments. Some of the detriments include trauma and shock to the infant, irritation and infection, deformities of the penis, and absence of normal function of the penis. First of all, one major detriment of circumcision is trauma and shock to the infant. A recent study conducted by a group of Canadian researchers concluded that circumcision has “long lasting traumatic effects” on the infant. Researchers “tested 87infants at 4 months and 6 months of age. The boys who had been circumcised were more sensitive to pain than the uncircumcised boys. Differences between groups were significant regarding (1) facial action, (2) crying time, and (3) assessments of pain.” The researchers believe that "neonatal circumcision may induce long-lasting changes in infant pain behavior because of alterations in the infant’s central neural processing of painful stimuli” (Taddio). After being circumcised, the open wound is left confined inside a diaper. The diaper prevents proper airflow to the wound which can interfere with the healing process. Furthermore, the diaper gets filled with urine and feces more than a couple times a day, which can lead to irritation and infection if any of the urine and/or feces gets inside the open wound. Also, due to complications and/or a lack of proper training, batched circumcisions can lead to penile deformities. Most deformities include portions of the foreskin that needed to be removed but were not which can cause psychological issues and self-consciousness. The psychological problems can lead to erectile dysfunction. However, some batched circumcision requires the male to have corrective surgery in order to be able to obtain an erection. Furthermore, a few cases have been so extreme that the entire penis has needed to be surgically removed.
In addition to the trauma and shock to the infant, irritation and infection, and deformities of the penis there is also an absence of normal function of the penis with circumcision. The first function of the foreskin is in protection. Like the female clitoris, the head of the penis is intended by nature to be a protected internal organ. When the foreskin is removed, the head of the penis is no longer protected so keratinization (callusing) occurs which causes a loss of sexual sensation and pleasure.
Also, gliding action is affected when the foreskin is removed. During sexual activity, the foreskin and glans work in together to create a complete sexual response. So a normal sexual response is not happening. Normal functioning also includes the non-abrasive gliding of the penis in and out of itself within the vagina which facilitates smooth and gratifying intercourse. Furthermore, without this gliding action, the corona of the circumcised penis can function as a one-way valve, dragging vaginal lubricants out into the drying air and making artificial lubricants essential for non-painful intercourse.
Thirdly the frenulum connects the inner foreskin to the underside of the glans of the penis. For many intact men, the penile frenulum is a male "G-spot" that is highly pleasurable when repeatedly stretched and relaxed during sexual activity. Depending on the surgical method used, the frenulum is partially to completely destroyed by circumcision
And finally, the foreskin contains several feet of blood vessels, including the frenular artery and branches of the dorsal artery. The loss of this rich vascularization interrupts normal blood flow to the shaft and glans of the penis, damaging the natural function of the penis and altering its development
According to VHI Healthcare, medically, the only valid reasons for male circumcision are Phimosis, Paraphimosis, and Balanitis which are all disorders where the foreskin hinders proper blood flow throughout the penis. Also, penile cancer that affects the foreskin is cause for removal of the foreskin. And finally painful sex due to improper retraction of the foreskin is also means for circumcision (VHI Healthcare). But usually these are not the reasons that male circumcisions are performed. The detriments of male circumcision vastly outweigh the benefits. Furthermore male circumcision is a procedure that should not be performed on all males. The procedure should only be performed if there is a problem affecting the foreskin and the blood flow of the penis, penile cancer, or if there is pain caused by the foreskin. More information should be brought to the parents’ attention as to what exactly they are agreeing when they decide to have their son circumcised.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Separated at Birth: The Benefits and Detriments of Male Circumcision
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Separated at Birth: Male & Female Circumcision
Male Circumcision: History
Egyptians and Aztecs performed circumcision for hygiene purposes.
Old Testament (Genesis 17:10-11) “…You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.”
Gained popularity as a routine surgery in
1896 a very popular parenting book All About Baby recommended circumcision for most boys to “halt the vile habit of masturbation.”
Male Circumcision: What is it?
Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes some or all of the foreskin from the penis.
Male Circumcision: When?
Most males infants are circumcised at birth in the hospitalwhere they were born.
Male Circumcision: Where?
Current national rates of Male
Circumcision:
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Male Circumcision: Pros & Cons
§Pros
Reduces risk of…
Urinary Tract Infections
Cancer of the Penis
Passing STDs
§Cons
Trauma and possible shock to the infant
Injury and Bleeding
Scaring
Infections and Irritation
Common Reasons for Circumcision
- Foreskins are useless
No they are not, they are a mucus membrane that protects the “bell head” of the penis and keeps the penis soft, supple, and sensitive helping to maintain sexual sensation.
- It looks bigger
Risking a 2-10% chance of medical complications so your son can have the illusion that he has a larger penis is just not justifiable.
When your son is older and if he feels that he would like to create this illusion, he can make that decision. There is no need to have a larger looking penis when you are a child.
- Last longer in bed
This is true because circumcised men lose 70% of their nerves at the end of the penis.
Also There is no reason to make decisions when your son is an infant that will affect the sex life of him and his partner
- Lowers the chances of STDs
True, because the head is more in penetrable
- Lowers the chances of cancer
Statistically true, also chopping off your testicles also lowers your chances for testicular cancer
- It’s Cleaner
A circumcised penis is exposed to everything that it comes in contact with. While a circumcised penis is healing it is constantly being exposed to urine and feces.
All that needs to be done when washing an uncircumcised penis to pull back the skin and rinse does not take more than a minute
7. It Will Look Like His Father's
This is the number one reason in
With this logic then if the baby's father was amputated at the arm would you proceed to cut the baby's arm off?
Male Circumcision: Statistics
In the
Female Circumcision: What is it?
Type I: Clitoridectomy
A Clitoridectomy involves the removal orsplitting of the clitoral hoodwith or without excision of the clitoris
Type II: Excision
An Excision involves the removal of theclitoris plus partor all of the labia minora
Type III: Infibulation
An Infibulation is the removal of part or all of the labia minora with the labia majora sewn together, covering the urethra and vagina and leaving a small whole for urine and menstrual fluid
Type IV: Other Types
This includes a diverse range of practices, including pricking the clitoris with needles, burning or scarring the genitals as well as ripping or tearing of the vagina or introducing herbs into the vagina to cause bleeding and a narrowed vaginal opening
Female Circumcision: Today
Somalia
Egypt
Sudan
Ethiopia
While Female Genital Cutting is widely practiced out in the open by Africans of all faiths, it is practiced in secrecy in some parts of the
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The practice can also be found among a few ethnic groups in South America and very rarely in
Reasons for Female Circumcision
maintenance of cleanliness
maintenance of good health
preservation of virginity
enhancement of fertility
prevention of stillbirths in women pregnant for the first time
prevention of promiscuity
increase of matrimonial opportunities
improvement of male sexual performance and pleasure
promotion of social and political cohesion
Male Circumcision: Health
Protection
The foreskin normally covers the glans and protects it from abrasion, drying, callusing & environmental contaminants. The glans is intended by nature to be A protected internal organ, Like the female clitoris. Increasing reports by circumcised men indicate that keratinization (callusing) causes a loss of sexual sensation, pleasure & fulfillment
Gliding Action
The foreskin is the only moving part of the penis. During any sexual activity, the foreskin and glans work in unison; their mutual interaction creates a complete sexual response.
In heterosexual intercourse, the non-abrasive gliding of the penis in and out of itself within the vagina facilitates smooth and pleasurable intercourse.
Without this gliding action, the corona of the circumcised penis can function as a one-way valve, dragging vaginal lubricants out into the drying air and making artificial lubricants essential for non-painful intercourse.
The Frenulum
This is a highly nerve-laden web of tissue that connects the inner foreskin to the underside of the glans.
For many intact men, the penile frenulum is a male "G-spot" that is highly pleasurable when repeatedly stretched and relaxed during sexual activity.
Depending on the surgical method used, the frenulum is partially to completely destroyed by circumcision.
Proper Blood Flow
The foreskin contains several feet of blood vessels, including the frenular artery and branches of the dorsal artery. The loss of this rich vascularization interrupts normal blood flow to the shaft and glans of the penis, damaging the natural function of the penis and altering its development.
Female Circumcision:
Sex & Health
Female Circumcision causes sex to be very painful for the female and can also pose more serious risks of death to mother and child during the birthing process. From the cutting, since technology is so primitive there can also be deadly infection.
Male Circumcision: Sex
British Journal of Urology has one study produced by O’hara and O’hara in 1999
139 Women Surveyed
73% preferred the more gentle shorter thrusts of a uncircumcised male.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Orgasmic Selection: The Secrecy of the Female Orgasm
Orgasmic Selection: The Secrecy of the Female Orgasm
by Jessica Marie
Some females claim that chocolate covered cherries, banana flavored ice cream, vanilla pudding, Hawaiian salad, buying sexy shoes, pickle chips, or even a new kitten is better than sex…but my question to you is…if these items, actions, and delicious delights are better than intercourse…what kind of sex are you having?!
In the past, females’ needs have been neglected. Sex was not a choice between both parties, but a demand from the male. Whether a woman reached orgasm or was satisfied under the sheets was not a concern of the self-interest-seeking man. But as times changed, females became more particular in their choice of males making men more conscious of their appearance in attire, hair style, and sexual appeal...and…pleasing a female in the bedroom.
For years, scientists have been disputing the purpose of female orgasm. Psychology Today states “The male orgasm is no great mystery. It's little more than a physiologically simple ejaculation that is accompanied by a nearly addictive incentive to seek out further sexual encounters.” The male abides by the simple rules of biology, “[t]he greater the number of inseminations a male achieves, the better his chances of being genetically represented in future generations.”
Compared with the frequent and effortlessly achieved orgasms that males experience, a females’ sexual climax has remained secrecy. “Darwinian theorists who made premature attempts to address the female orgasm proposed that orgasm keeps a woman lying down after sex, passively retaining sperm and increasing her probability of conception. Others suggested that it evolved to create a stronger pair bond between lovers, inspiring in women feelings of intimacy and trust toward mates. Some reasoned that orgasm communicates a woman's sexual satisfaction and devotion to a lover,” says Psychology Today: The Orgasm Wars and “[m]ost recently, evolutionary psychologists have been exploring the proposition that female orgasm is a sophisticated adaptation that allows women to manipulate--even without their own awareness--which of their lovers will be allowed to fertilize their eggs.”
Psychologists including Harvard evolutionist Stephen lay Gould, insist that female orgasm doesn’t have a role in reproduction. Gould argues that the female orgasm is accidental, caused by “an anatomical peculiarity of embryonic development.” In embryos, the undifferentiated organ that later becomes the penis in males becomes the clitoris in females. Anti-adaptationists like Gould--whose thinking uncannily parallels Freud's belief that women spend their life in penis envy--hold that the clitoris is, biologically speaking, an underdeveloped penis; it can let women mimic male orgasm, but it has no functional relevance or evolutionary history of its own.
“By the late 1960s, The British Medical Journal gained a clue for a reasonable adaptation hypothesis when they published an exchange of letters about the muscular contractions and uterine suction associated with women's orgasm. In one letter, a doctor reported that a patient's uterine and vaginal contractions during sex with a sailor had pulled off his condom. Upon inspection, the condom was found in her cervical canal! The doctor concluded that female orgasms pull sperm closer to the egg as well.”
Researchers Baker and Bellis formed an experiment that sought to learn just how female orgasms might affect which lover's sperm is used to fertilize a female’s eggs. Baker and Bellis “asked volunteers to keep track of the timing of their orgasms during sex, and, after copulation, to collect male ejaculates from vaginal flowback--a technical term denoting a distinct form of material that emerges from the vagina several hours after sex (scientists have devised a way to collect it). The team counted sperm from over 300 instances of human copulation.”
Therefore, Baker and Bellis proposed that by manipulating the occurrence and timing of orgasm--via subconscious processes--women influence the probability of conception. So while a man worries about a woman's satisfaction with him as a lover out of fear she will stray, orgasmic females may be up to something far more clever--deciding which partner will sire her children.
So, now that Evolutionary Psychologist have determined the importance of the female orgasm…you females…and males…might need additional advice. Guys are sometimes clueless about the complexities of the female body…but, females are guilty of the same crime. A great web-site to console is “Best Female Sex Positions - Sex Positions for Women to Reach Orgasm” where I found the articles:
Mouth and Finger, Yum!
How to have Awesome Sex
Give Yourself an Orgasm
&
4 Positions for a better (female) Orgasm
Many more articles that you and your partner can try are available by just google-ing “female orgasms” or “female orgasm positions.” There are many websites that cater to heterosexual and homosexual couples. Any male or female seeking to know her body better is also recommended to pick up an occasional Cosmopolitan magazine where great tips can also be found along with an array of other treats to try. And hopefully once sex becomes orgasmic, chocolate covered cherries will not be better than sex.
