Adult Circumcision. Why Does My Husband Have To Have The Snip Snip?

[meme]

After a tip from his friend, who said that he read in a book that my husband's type of penis (just to clear the air, his best friend inserted some beads into the shaft of hubby's member a long way back...which is perhaps another topic in itself but for those who dont know it is a fairly common practice with Thai men, in the South at least. But I digress, anyway that is why his friend knows what hubby's buddy looks like) could develop cancer.

Sure enough he went to the doctor today and the doc said that he had come just in the nick of time and that he must have a circumcision as soon as possible.

Now because my husband lacks the medical terms in English and I was not at the doctors ,so I could not ask him, I dont know why he needs this. From what he has told me it has something to do with the foreskin on the head coming together or growing together....Now as far as I am concerned he has a normal looking un-circumsided penis, but then again I certainly dont consider myself an expert.

I found: Phimosis. after I googled. But it says that it comes from foreskin infection and he has never had an infection, at least to his or my knowledge. And includes swelling, again he has never experienced this either.

Well that is certainly more information then I ever thought I would share on a forum!

Anyway just thought someone out there might have an idea what this is about.

It only costs 1500 baht so I don't think the dr. is only trying to make money.

Also if any men out there have had this done as an adult, will my husband be laid up for a long time? The doctor said wear a saraong for one week, refrain from any 'fun' for 1 month but that was it.

Thanks in advance

[chiang mai]

It's definitely a misnomer to believe that women are the only ones to suffer from genital infections such as yeast et al, ask any decent urologist. Men most definitely can suffer from a range of infections although we tend not to talk too much about them because there is an automatic assumption on the part of some folks that they must result from dallying around - quite untrue, some folks are simply susceptible for some reason.

Phimosis can be temporary or it can be extremely dangerous - I'm fortunate to have had Phimosis several times and each time it was only temporary and only a good Urologist will be able to tell the cause and recommend a course of action. The Big C is really the only solution to the more dangerous variety of this condition. It's a more painful process in later life hence healing times are longer but it does solve the problem and by all accounts reduces the likelihood of future risk of HIV infection.

BTW - 1500 baht sounds ridiculously cheap and quite unbelievable - I would have believed 10,000 or more but never 1,500. Maybe get a second opinion?

[sbk]

Sounds like a local govt hospital price to me CM.

I agree with CM tho, go to a private hospital (if possible) and get a second opinion.

[meme]

It's definitely a misnomer to believe that women are the only ones to suffer from genital infections such as yeast et al, ask any decent urologist. Men most definitely can suffer from a range of infections although we tend not to talk too much about them because there is an automatic assumption on the part of some folks that they must result from dallying around - quite untrue, some folks are simply susceptible for some reason.

Phimosis can be temporary or it can be extremely dangerous - I'm fortunate to have had Phimosis several times and each time it was only temporary and only a good Urologist will be able to tell the cause and recommend a course of action. The Big C is really the only solution to the more dangerous variety of this condition. It's a more painful process in later life hence healing times are longer but it does solve the problem and by all accounts reduces the likelihood of future risk of HIV infection.

BTW - 1500 baht sounds ridiculously cheap and quite unbelievable - I would have believed 10,000 or more but never 1,500. Maybe get a second opinion?

Thanks for your response CM. Could he have an infection without any symptoms? From what I gather the doctor said the shape of his foreskin is the problem, the fact that the head does not ever come out of the foreskin, and that this can lead to infection and maybe cancer because of possible bacteria or infection under the skin. Does that sound like Phimosis?

He went to a doctor's office or clinic not a public hospital. I think it is a good idea to get a second oppinion though.

Thank-you.

[mikethevigoman]

After a tip from his friend, who said that he read in a book that my husband's type of penis (just to clear the air, his best friend inserted some beads into the shaft of hubby's member a long way back...which is perhaps another topic in itself but for those who dont know it is a fairly common practice with Thai men, in the South at least. But I digress, anyway that is why his friend knows what hubby's buddy looks like) could develop cancer.

Sure enough he went to the doctor today and the doc said that he had come just in the nick of time and that he must have a circumcision as soon as possible.

Now because my husband lacks the medical terms in English and I was not at the doctors ,so I could not ask him, I dont know why he needs this. From what he has told me it has something to do with the foreskin on the head coming together or growing together....Now as far as I am concerned he has a normal looking un-circumsided penis, but then again I certainly dont consider myself an expert.

I found: Phimosis. after I googled. But it says that it comes from foreskin infection and he has never had an infection, at least to his or my knowledge. And includes swelling, again he has never experienced this either.

Well that is certainly more information then I ever thought I would share on a forum!

Anyway just thought someone out there might have an idea what this is about.

It only costs 1500 baht so I don't think the dr. is only trying to make money.

Also if any men out there have had this done as an adult, will my husband be laid up for a long time? The doctor said wear a saraong for one week, refrain from any 'fun' for 1 month but that was it.]

" After a tip from his friend ",..! did you mean to say that

Edited January 4, 2008 by mikethevigoman

[chiang mai]

It's definitely a misnomer to believe that women are the only ones to suffer from genital infections such as yeast et al, ask any decent urologist. Men most definitely can suffer from a range of infections although we tend not to talk too much about them because there is an automatic assumption on the part of some folks that they must result from dallying around - quite untrue, some folks are simply susceptible for some reason.

Phimosis can be temporary or it can be extremely dangerous - I'm fortunate to have had Phimosis several times and each time it was only temporary and only a good Urologist will be able to tell the cause and recommend a course of action. The Big C is really the only solution to the more dangerous variety of this condition. It's a more painful process in later life hence healing times are longer but it does solve the problem and by all accounts reduces the likelihood of future risk of HIV infection.

BTW - 1500 baht sounds ridiculously cheap and quite unbelievable - I would have believed 10,000 or more but never 1,500. Maybe get a second opinion?

Thanks for your response CM. Could he have an infection without any symptoms? From what I gather the doctor said the shape of his foreskin is the problem, the fact that the head does not ever come out of the foreskin, and that this can lead to infection and maybe cancer because of possible bacteria or infection under the skin. Does that sound like Phimosis?

He went to a doctor's office or clinic not a public hospital. I think it is a good idea to get a second oppinion though.

Thank-you.

Infection without symptoms - almost certainly. But this raises the question of why he went in the first place. Clinics in Thailand are however notoriously unreliable.

Shape of the foreskin - really doubtful, I reckon but who knows.

I am not related to the medical profession in any shape or form but can only offer my own experiences by way of advice. Bottom line is that, if this is not a post in jest, send him to a decent Urologist. I mean really, it's easy.

[geriatrickid]

I think people will be surprised to learn that many of the government hospitals are quite advanced in this procedure. Over the past two years there have been a number of training sessions/seminars provided to upgrade knowledge and skills. This has gone hand in hand with the WHO blessing and the reversal of several medical organizations positions that were formerly positive, then went negative during the politically charged 80's and are now back to the positive position subsequent to all the clinical studies being effected over the past decade.

The big caution I give is that the question to be asked is how many of the procedures has the doctor performed. As they say, practice males perfect. I'd be hesitant to go near some urologists in Thailand that haven't seen much of this. Adult snips are significantly different than the infant procedures. There are variables in the healing and complications. (Infants heal faster and are less prone to erections that can cause wounds to tear.) Note too that there are a few different methods used today. The Malayasian method relies on the ball and string method and its proponents swear by its speed of healing. There may also be physician preferences as to format ( complete removal v. the partial slice. that leaves part of the prepuce in place.) My personal preference is for the complete procedure since it removes the areas prone to HPV, locations with high concentrations of langerhans receptors (HIV) and the parts that usually develop the cancer.

Although patients are asked to refrain from fun, the intent isn't so much to prevent physical damage as it's more along the lines of preventing infection since there will be a wound. Extra emphasis is placed on the caution now because the Bailey studies showed that the post circumcision patients that contracted HIV did so in part because they engaged in unprotected sexual contact while the wound was still healing. (No brainer I know, but I tossed that in in case anyone was interested.)

[meme]

" After a tip from his friend ",..! did you mean to say that

hahaha oops no, no I didnt!

[meme]

It's definitely a misnomer to believe that women are the only ones to suffer from genital infections such as yeast et al, ask any decent urologist. Men most definitely can suffer from a range of infections although we tend not to talk too much about them because there is an automatic assumption on the part of some folks that they must result from dallying around - quite untrue, some folks are simply susceptible for some reason.

Phimosis can be temporary or it can be extremely dangerous - I'm fortunate to have had Phimosis several times and each time it was only temporary and only a good Urologist will be able to tell the cause and recommend a course of action. The Big C is really the only solution to the more dangerous variety of this condition. It's a more painful process in later life hence healing times are longer but it does solve the problem and by all accounts reduces the likelihood of future risk of HIV infection.

BTW - 1500 baht sounds ridiculously cheap and quite unbelievable - I would have believed 10,000 or more but never 1,500. Maybe get a second opinion?

Thanks for your response CM. Could he have an infection without any symptoms? From what I gather the doctor said the shape of his foreskin is the problem, the fact that the head does not ever come out of the foreskin, and that this can lead to infection and maybe cancer because of possible bacteria or infection under the skin. Does that sound like Phimosis?

He went to a doctor's office or clinic not a public hospital. I think it is a good idea to get a second oppinion though.

Thank-you.

Infection without symptoms - almost certainly. But this raises the question of why he went in the first place. Clinics in Thailand are however notoriously unreliable.

Shape of the foreskin - really doubtful, I reckon but who knows.

I am not related to the medical profession in any shape or form but can only offer my own experiences by way of advice. Bottom line is that, if this is not a post in jest, send him to a decent Urologist. I mean really, it's easy.

I don't really think my post comes off as a joke. My husband went to the doctor today. Can't do anything about it until tomorrow. Although a minor procedure I just wanted to know more about it, I am his wife after all. I googled it and really didnt find anything so I asked on the health forum. I will go with him to the doctor tomorrow. Was just seeking an answer in the mean time.

[bina]

meme

OT but on topic of those darn beads:

issan guys do the bead thing also; a past thai 'friend' had three put in and would also grind down glass from bottles and sand them into smooth beads. they insert them while drunk. he used a exacto blade to make the incisions. he washed it all in cheap vodka and then used eye ointment as a local antibiotic on the cuts with the beads. he made the beads himself after hours and days of grinding cola bottle glass down. he also took his out while drunk before he returned to thailand to his wife (he left her to come work here in israel when he was beadless so would be hard pressed to explain why he put them in since it is known that put them in for the woman's pleasure. i can assure u , it didnt increase mine, just was sort of annoying where one of them was located so it 'hit' me and cause minor irritations to me.

he did say that certain types of beads from certain types of glass were 'no good' or 'caused cancer'... i think this is a thai urban myth, i am inclined to think it just causes scar tissue which causes irritation or internal bacterial infections under the lesion therefore creating other problems. too bad i never photoe'd the thing before and after. he was stuck with some scarring where the beads were removed. that seemed to 'stick' a bit, like scarring that glues itself to deeper tissue.

the beads btw are inserted just under the first layer of skin so they slither around a bit... but some do get 'stuck' and apparently cause problems.

anyway, meme, here in israel there are adult men that went thru circumcision (late life conversion to judaism and yet to be circumcised) and they make it thru, a week or so, with pain killers and careful cleaning and he's as good as new.

just remembered that present issaan husband had put one in when he met me and thru pressure from the other thai guys that all did it in a fit of 'brotherly love (drunkenness) and peer pressure to be one of the guys' , but promptly removed it one day in the shower w/o being drunk when we argued about it being a stupid thing that doesnt give me any pleasure, just annoyance. he went in to the shower, took his wood carving blade (a small one), put it thru a candle fire, and then slit it out. no sex for four days until the skin healed and that was that...

bina

Edited January 5, 2008 by bina

[tattoodrob]

After a tip from his friend, who said that he read in a book that my husband's type of penis (just to clear the air, his best friend inserted some beads into the shaft of hubby's member a long way back...which is perhaps another topic in itself but for those who dont know it is a fairly common practice with Thai men, in the South at least. But I digress, anyway that is why his friend knows what hubby's buddy looks like) could develop cancer.

Sure enough he went to the doctor today and the doc said that he had come just in the nick of time and that he must have a circumcision as soon as possible.

Now because my husband lacks the medical terms in English and I was not at the doctors ,so I could not ask him, I dont know why he needs this. From what he has told me it has something to do with the foreskin on the head coming together or growing together....Now as far as I am concerned he has a normal looking un-circumsided penis, but then again I certainly dont consider myself an expert.

I found: Phimosis. after I googled. But it says that it comes from foreskin infection and he has never had an infection, at least to his or my knowledge. And includes swelling, again he has never experienced this either.

Well that is certainly more information then I ever thought I would share on a forum!

Anyway just thought someone out there might have an idea what this is about.

It only costs 1500 baht so I don't think the dr. is only trying to make money.

Also if any men out there have had this done as an adult, will my husband be laid up for a long time? The doctor said wear a saraong for one week, refrain from any 'fun' for 1 month but that was it.

Thanks in advance

"and includes swelling,again he has never experienced this either"

ooooops i hope he has experienced some swelling in that area before or you could try viagra,ive heard its readily available in this country

[tattoodrob]

I think people will be surprised to learn that many of the government hospitals are quite advanced in this procedure. Over the past two years there have been a number of training sessions/seminars provided to upgrade knowledge and skills. This has gone hand in hand with the WHO blessing and the reversal of several medical organizations positions that were formerly positive, then went negative during the politically charged 80's and are now back to the positive position subsequent to all the clinical studies being effected over the past decade.

The big caution I give is that the question to be asked is how many of the procedures has the doctor performed. As they say, practice males perfect. I'd be hesitant to go near some urologists in Thailand that haven't seen much of this. Adult snips are significantly different than the infant procedures. There are variables in the healing and complications. (Infants heal faster and are less prone to erections that can cause wounds to tear.) Note too that there are a few different methods used today. The Malayasian method relies on the ball and string method and its proponents swear by its speed of healing. There may also be physician preferences as to format ( complete removal v. the partial slice. that leaves part of the prepuce in place.) My personal preference is for the complete procedure since it removes the areas prone to HPV, locations with high concentrations of langerhans receptors (HIV) and the parts that usually develop the cancer.

Although patients are asked to refrain from fun, the intent isn't so much to prevent physical damage as it's more along the lines of preventing infection since there will be a wound. Extra emphasis is placed on the caution now because the Bailey studies showed that the post circumcision patients that contracted HIV did so in part because they engaged in unprotected sexual contact while the wound was still healing. (No brainer I know, but I tossed that in in case anyone was interested.)

"i tossed that in in case anyone was interested"

very appropriate expression

[billp]

Speaking as one who was circumsized as a baby and had no say in the matter, I would say definitely get a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion on this! I refuse to believe that having an intact foreskin has any serious bearing whatsoever on cancer. Penile cancer is extremely rare and anyone who keeps himself normally clean should be able to detect any abnormality at a very early stage. Moreover, the operation, although performed on millions of innocent babies, is hardly minor, and has been known to go terribly wrong. Thirdly, the foreskin is actually there for a purpose, to shield the sensitive head. Once the foreskin is removed, the skin of the head dries out and becomes thicker and less sensitive, permanently reducing sexual sensation. Those of who were cut as babies will never know the full range of sexual sensation experienced by uncircumsized men.

[billp]

Read this.

In 1993, Christopher Maden, Ph.D., et al. reported a study 29 in which 110 men with penile cancer, diagnosed from January 1979, to July, 1990, were interviewed. Of these 110 men, 22 had been circumcised at birth, 19 later in life, and 69 never. The majority of the men interviewed were intact, 37% were circumcised, and 20% had been circumcised as infants. In circumcised men, the cancer usually occurs along the line of the circumcision scar. Finland, where circumcision is extremely rare, has a low incidence of penile cancer.48

...

There are many documented cases of penile cancer in circumcised men. To reduce the risk of penile cancer, men are best advised simply to use reasonable hygiene, practice responsible sexual behavior, and to avoid handling tobacco.

And this:

Penile cancer is one of the rarest cancers - rarer even than breast cancer in men - and figures for it are hard to come by. Circumcised men get penile cancer at about the same tiny rate as intact men. Studies that seemed to show a correlation had not been corrected for age; penile cancer is a disease of old men, and the old men with cancer in the studies had simply been born at a time when circumcision was less customary than when the younger men without cancer were born. When men of the same ages were compared, the correlation vanished.

Edited January 5, 2008 by billp

[Nomad97]

Meme "Thanks for your response CM. Could he have an infection without any symptoms? From what I gather the doctor said the shape of his foreskin is the problem, the fact that the head does not ever come out of the foreskin, and that this can lead to infection and maybe cancer because of possible bacteria or infection under the skin. Does that sound like Phimosis?"

Sounds like a problem with a tight foreskin. I do not know about Phimosis but I do know a little about Balinitis. I had a tight foreskin that prevented thorough cleaning under the skin and around the head that lead to a condition called Balinitis. The only answer was circumcision while I was in my early 20's and I have never had any problems since. Just as much fun after the op so do not worry on that score. So, if your husband has a medical problem and circumcision is necessary just do it!

[meme]

Meme "Thanks for your response CM. Could he have an infection without any symptoms? From what I gather the doctor said the shape of his foreskin is the problem, the fact that the head does not ever come out of the foreskin, and that this can lead to infection and maybe cancer because of possible bacteria or infection under the skin. Does that sound like Phimosis?"

Sounds like a problem with a tight foreskin. I do not know about Phimosis but I do know a little about Balinitis. I had a tight foreskin that prevented thorough cleaning under the skin and around the head that lead to a condition called Balinitis. The only answer was circumcision while I was in my early 20's and I have never had any problems since. Just as much fun after the op so do not worry on that score. So, if your husband has a medical problem and circumcision is necessary just do it!

Thanks Nomad. Yup thats what it is, just a tight foreskin. We went to the doctor yesterday. He does not have Phimosis or Balinitis but because his forseskin is so tight he risks infection and other complications. So Monday is the big day.

[meme]

meme

OT but on topic of those darn beads:

issan guys do the bead thing also; a past thai 'friend' had three put in and would also grind down glass from bottles and sand them into smooth beads. they insert them while drunk. he used a exacto blade to make the incisions. he washed it all in cheap vodka and then used eye ointment as a local antibiotic on the cuts with the beads. he made the beads himself after hours and days of grinding cola bottle glass down. he also took his out while drunk before he returned to thailand to his wife (he left her to come work here in israel when he was beadless so would be hard pressed to explain why he put them in since it is known that put them in for the woman's pleasure. i can assure u , it didnt increase mine, just was sort of annoying where one of them was located so it 'hit' me and cause minor irritations to me.

he did say that certain types of beads from certain types of glass were 'no good' or 'caused cancer'... i think this is a thai urban myth, i am inclined to think it just causes scar tissue which causes irritation or internal bacterial infections under the lesion therefore creating other problems. too bad i never photoe'd the thing before and after. he was stuck with some scarring where the beads were removed. that seemed to 'stick' a bit, like scarring that glues itself to deeper tissue.

the beads btw are inserted just under the first layer of skin so they slither around a bit... but some do get 'stuck' and apparently cause problems.

anyway, meme, here in israel there are adult men that went thru circumcision (late life conversion to judaism and yet to be circumcised) and they make it thru, a week or so, with pain killers and careful cleaning and he's as good as new.

just remembered that present issaan husband had put one in when he met me and thru pressure from the other thai guys that all did it in a fit of 'brotherly love (drunkenness) and peer pressure to be one of the guys' , but promptly removed it one day in the shower w/o being drunk when we argued about it being a stupid thing that doesnt give me any pleasure, just annoyance. he went in to the shower, took his wood carving blade (a small one), put it thru a candle fire, and then slit it out. no sex for four days until the skin healed and that was that...

bina

Yup those are the beads. I think you are right, it has everything to do with 'brotherly love (drunkenness) and peer pressure to be one of the guys' plus the rumor that it will make sex better. I have a friend who says her bfs beads did enhance sex, but my hubby was a little disappointed to find out I really don't see the difference. He is talking about having it removed during his circumcision. His friends have also cut their foreskin, folded it back and sewn in to the shaft to create a flower!!! This is done by the village penis guy. Who also will make two incisions in a penis right at the head so that the scar tissue makes the head bigger!

[Patsycat]

I met a Russian guy here in Swissland who had those beads, at a sort of after the pub closed party. he was so proud of them he went around everybody men and women and got them to feel his beads. Very strange!!

Meme, just keep your husband away from the Penis Guy or you may be in for a surprise!! And women are supposed to be the vainest.....

[taxexile]

His friends have also cut their foreskin, folded it back and sewn in to the shaft to create a flower!!! This is done by the village penis guy. Who also will make two incisions in a penis right at the head so that the scar tissue makes the head bigger!

jeez , and i thought all i need to do is buy a ferrari !!

[Sheryl]

Phimosis is just the medical term for a foreskin that is too tight and yes, circumcision is necessary.

Heed the others'advice re getting an experienced doctor (a urologist who has done many adult circumcisions) and, obviously, avoid the 1500 Baht bargain price (somehow I doubt there's much in the way of anesthesia inclkuded in that price....).

With an experienced doctor and as long as he follows carefully the instructions for after care, all will be fine.

[Naam]

His friends have also cut their foreskin, folded it back and sewn in to the shaft to create a flower!!! This is done by the village penis guy. Who also will make two incisions in a penis right at the head so that the scar tissue makes the head bigger!

jeez , and i thought all i need to do is buy a ferrari !!

how do i contact this penis guy? don't care how much the bigger head will cost. i'm quite sure my wife will pay for it.

[Naam]

Phimosis is just the medical term for a foreskin that is too tight and yes, circumcision is necessary.

not necessarily Sheryl. i "suffered" from phimosis when i was a young chap but my fellow female students at the university whispered when i passed by "he's the one who allegedly lasts for an hour... some say even longer". never got a circumcision though. tough usage "loosened" and solved the problem. but until this very day hygiene (more than once daily) is an absolute must!

[sbk]

His friends have also cut their foreskin, folded it back and sewn in to the shaft to create a flower!!! This is done by the village penis guy. Who also will make two incisions in a penis right at the head so that the scar tissue makes the head bigger!

jeez , and i thought all i need to do is buy a ferrari !!

how do i contact this penis guy? don't care how much the bigger head will cost. i'm quite sure my wife will pay for it.

good lord, what are they doing over there in Trang? I've never heard of a village penis guy before!

[Naam]

His friends have also cut their foreskin, folded it back and sewn in to the shaft to create a flower!!! This is done by the village penis guy. Who also will make two incisions in a penis right at the head so that the scar tissue makes the head bigger!

jeez , and i thought all i need to do is buy a ferrari !!

how do i contact this penis guy? don't care how much the bigger head will cost. i'm quite sure my wife will pay for it.

good lord, what are they doing over there in Trang? I've never heard of a village penis guy before!

there's always a first time

[meme]

Phimosis is just the medical term for a foreskin that is too tight and yes, circumcision is necessary.

Heed the others'advice re getting an experienced doctor (a urologist who has done many adult circumcisions) and, obviously, avoid the 1500 Baht bargain price (somehow I doubt there's much in the way of anesthesia inclkuded in that price....).

With an experienced doctor and as long as he follows carefully the instructions for after care, all will be fine.

He is a urologist, in a proper clinic. Didnt ask why it was 1500 or about anesthetic, good question though thanks Sheyrl. Will check on Monday. His cousin who married a Muslim women and had to convert had it done for 30 baht on a Muslim island at a public hospital. Said that was the normal going rate in Muslim areas. Perhaps it is not expensive because we live in a a relatively small city and he is Thai? I will try to get him to have a second opinion.

[dominique355]

Meme, you mentioned that you are in the South. Just a thought: Is the doctor a Muslim and is the circumcision in any way connected to his believes?

I may be wrong, but why does a doctor recommend a surgical intervention, which appears to be totally unnecessary and which does not make money for him? Just a thought ...

[meme]

His friends have also cut their foreskin, folded it back and sewn in to the shaft to create a flower!!! This is done by the village penis guy. Who also will make two incisions in a penis right at the head so that the scar tissue makes the head bigger!

jeez , and i thought all i need to do is buy a ferrari !!

how do i contact this penis guy? don't care how much the bigger head will cost. i'm quite sure my wife will pay for it.

good lord, what are they doing over there in Trang? I've never heard of a village penis guy before!

haha. Actually I have heard about it in Trang, Krabi and NST!! Ask your husband about it maybe he has heard about it. I kid you not!

[meme]

Meme, you mentioned that you are in the South. Just a thought: Is the doctor a Muslim and is the circumcision in any way connected to his believes?

I may be wrong, but why does a doctor recommend a surgical intervention, which appears to be totally unnecessary and which does not make money for him? Just a thought ...

From what I know the docotor is not Muslim, but I will ask my husband. I think it is a necessary procedure, from what I understand anyway. Also my husband has talked about wanting to be circumcised for a while because of his 'condition' it makes cleaning etc quite a challenge.

[sbk]

I did, he's never heard of it before. He's Buddhist tho.

No penis guy in our neighborhood, I am afraid. Or rather, my husband has never heard of a penis guy in his neighborhood.

Anyway, hope you find a good urologist for your hubby. If he's anything like mine, getting to the doctor to deal with it will not be easy.

[geriatrickid]

Note to readers: if you are not into details, skip this.

billp, you are referencing a study that is taken out of context. If one reads the cited article (Ref: JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, Volume 85, Number 1: Pages 19-24, Jan 6, 1993. ) one sees a different statement altogether. The following key points are quoted; BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence suggests lack of neonatal circumcision as the strongest risk factor for penile cancer, but the role of sexually transmitted diseases in the etiology of penile cancer has remained unclear.

PURPOSE: To further clarify risk factors for penile cancer, we examined the role of circumcision, personal characteristics and habits (such as smoking), sexually transmitted diseases, past sexual activity, and medical conditions of the penis.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the absence of neonatal circumcision and potential resulting complications are associated with penile cancer. Additionally, medical conditions of the penis, sexual activity, infection with HPV, and smoking may increase the risk for penile cancer.

Even though the above validates my earlier position, I think the study is now worthless. Specifically;

1. There are different variations of circumcision technique ranging from partial to complete.

2. The study did not account for the different techniques, i.e who was a partial and who was a complete. It relied on self reporting of status, when what was needed was an examination. This was a study flaw that renders the study unreliable.

3. The Bailey clinical trials demonstrated an efficacy in respect to HIV transmission prevention when there was a full circumcision vs. the partial format. this view has been validated for cancers and HPV. The pathology of the HPvirus is better understood today than it was 15 years ago. (That's why we now have vaccines and treatments that we didn't have 15 years ago.) We also know which tissue is more likely to demonstrate HPV manifestation and cancer.

At the end of the day, if this procedure helps the patient, so be it. Certainly better than dealing with the probability of recurrent painful infections as the patient ages, or ending up as the colourful illustration in one of my friend's studies.