Personal stories about circumcision

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make this important health decision.

Robert, age 42: All of the men in my family are circumcised, and it is important to me that my sons are circumcised as well. I have three sons, and none of them has ever had a problem resulting from being circumcised. I think it's important that they look the same as me and one another.

Alfredo, age 36: As a young boy, my father taught me how to care for my uncircumcised penis, keeping it clean and clear of infection. I never felt that I was strange or different, and I have never had any problems due to not being circumcised.

Elise, age 49: When our son William was born, we had him circumcised. He was born with a defect in his urinary tract that increases his risk for developing urinary tract infections. Since circumcision helps lower the risk for UTIs early in life, we decided to go ahead with the procedure. Lowering his high risk for UTIs was important to us.

Habib, age 29: When our first son was born, we had him circumcised, since all the men in my family had been circumcised as infants. But the procedure was very painful and very stressful for him, so when our second son was born, we decided to leave him uncircumcised. After all, there's no real medical reason to have it done. We decided to spare him that pain. Both our sons are healthy and happy. Neither seems to care that their penises do not look exactly alike. I feel we made the right decision.