Circumcision: Over 100 Known Complications and Risks

Complications and risks are much more numerous than most doctors know or disclose
Here are 127

 

Hemorrhage
Local and Systemic Infections (21)

staphylococcal infections, abscess of penis and scrotum, erysipelas, acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, tetanus, myiasis, gangrene of the penis and scrotum, septicemia, Fournier’s gangrene, bacteremia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, lung abscess, impetigo, necrotizing fascitis, scalded skin syndrome, bronchopneumonia, diphtheria, syphilis, tuberculosis, sepsis

Surgical Complications (35)

pain (with or without anesthesia), excessive skin removal, excessive residual skin, beveling deformities of the glans, total denudation of the penis, urethral fistula, multiple pyogenic granulomas, subglandular stricture, scrotal trauma, Plastibell retention, pseudoparaphimosis, bivalving, necrosis/ischemia, amputation of the penis and glans, acute urinary retention, urine advancing in subcutaneous fascial planes, unilateral leg cyanosis, gastric rupture, pulmonary embolism, apnea and apparent life-threatening events, pneumothorax, chilling, erythema multiforme, hyperbilirubenemia (jaundice), myocardial injury, tachycardia, heart failure, hematoma, priapism, penodynia, swelling and blistering from topical anesthesia, bruising from injected anesthesia, iatrogenic hypospadias, iatrogenic epispadias, loss of blood supply to the genitals using wrong anesthetic

Delayed Complications (29)

meatitis, meatal ulcers, meatal stenosis, hidden/buried penis, iatrogenic phimosis, preputial stenosis, penile size change, penile rotation, adhesions, skin bridges, skin tags, keloid formation, subcutaneous granuloma, epidermal cyst, penile edema, penile cutaneous horns, hair strangulation, amputation neuroma, paraphimosis, latex allergy and sensitization, penile chordee, balanitis, lymphedema, urethritis, methamoglobinemia, vomiting, ruptured bladder, urinary tract infection, venous stasis

Psychological Complications/Risks (26)

For the infant: trauma, disruption of the child-mother bond/insecure emotional attachment, deteriorated feeding, changed activity level, changed sleep patterns, irritability, emotional withdrawal, extended crying, changed mother-infant interaction, maternal distress and regret, increased pain response

For the boy/man: alexithymia, autism, hyperactivity, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, resentment, avoidance of intimacy, depression, anger, shame, distrust, feeling mutilated/damaged/inferior, adverse effects on relationships with parents, compulsive behaviors, feeling betrayed by medical profession

Human Rights

violation of the right to an intact body

Sexual Complications/Risks (12)

loss of 25-50% of the penile skin, erectile dysfunction, decreased penile sensitivity, dry and/or keratinized glans, decreased sexual satisfaction, orgasm difficulties, decreased female satisfaction, vaginal dryness, requirement of lubricants, painful intercourse, premature ejaculation, increased masturbation

Death (2)

from surgical complications

from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)