Contrary to Popular Myth During infancy and early childhood, only the outside of the intact penis needs to be rinsed with warm water. The foreskin should not be retracted during cleaning. It's that simple. |
 |
"People thought that boys would not keep themselves
clean if they werent circumcised," |
There is much unnecessary anxiety over the issue
of hygiene. It is not at all difficult to maintain proper hygiene.
“...health professionals generally agree that uncircumcised boys do
not have any special hygienic problems.” Concern for proper hygiene
is over emphasized, and so the needless practice of routine circumcision
continues.
Overzealous cleaning attempts can cause posthitis,
urinary tract infections and phimosis. People are surprised to learn that
the intact penis requires no special care. The best advice is to simply leave
it alone.
| Consider providing your doctor with an Intact Care Agreement. |
Usually starting around the age of 5 or 6, boys should be taught to retract their own foreskins once a week and rinsing with warm water. Sometimes the separation process takes longer and a boy may not be able to fully retract his foreskin until he is 10 or more. This is normal and not cause for alarm. Once the foreskin is retractable , the instructions for cleaning are simple.
1.) Gently pull the foreskin back.
2.) Rinse with warm water only. Soap under the foreskin can cause irritation and swelling.
3.) Pull the foreskin back in place over the head of your penis.
No one should do this for him. He can pull the foreskin back by himself gently. After rinsing, he simply pulls the foreskin back into place. (Cleaning inspections are not required.) We do not pull out our teeth to prevent cavities -- we brush them.
When your son reaches puberty, he should retract and rinse during daily bathing. Brushing teeth is more difficult than cleaning the intact penis. It is ridiculous to think that children cannot be taught and counted on to perform this simple task through adulthood. Circumcision does not improve hygiene. It surgically removes healthy, protective tissue.
Regarding the issue of ‘dreaded
smegma’ comparatively little is formed in childhood.
Smegma is Beneficial Not
Bad
The Foreskin Has Value
Newborns: Care of
the Uncircumcised Penis
by the American Academy of
Pediatrics
FAQ about Your
Son’s Intact Penis
Myth: Circumcision Inevitable Later
If you want direct contact with someone to discuss care and development of
the intact penis, you can ask people who have perfectly healthy sons intact
at AgainstCirc. You will also find members of this discussion e-mail
list who are doctors, nurses, midwives, childbirth educators, parents whose
children have experienced wrongful circumcisions or complications, jewish
people who've chosen against the tradition, men who regret having been
circumcised, some undergoring foreskin restoration and men happily intact.
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Last Update: 10/19/00