Dr. John Dean writes about circumcision issues for netdoctor. The December 2005 article discusses how the foreskin in children is not retractable and addresses why circumcision occurs. He discusses why circumcision is not reasonable as a disease prevention measure. He also identifies the complications of circumcision.

Complications include:

• reduction in penile sensation (an almost universal experience)
• bleeding
• damage to the urethra (urine tube in the penis)
• amputation of the glans (rare)
• infection in the blood or septicaemia (rare).

His conclusion is

Very few absolute medical reasons exist for circumcision, and no reasons exist to justify routine circumcision of infants outside areas with a high rate of HIV infection. Far too many circumcisions are performed without good reason in Europe and the USA. The best advice is 'if it isn't absolutely necessary, don't circumcise'.