Study published in International Journal of Men's Health, Volume 10, Number 2 / July 2011. DOI10.3149/jmh.1002.184. In the first study of its kind,  Dan Bollinger and Robert S. Van Howe, M.D., M.S., FAAP, look at the link between circumcision and the personality trait disorder alexithymia. The study found that circumcised men are 60% more likely to suffer from alexithymia.

Alexithymia is the inability to process emotions. People suffering from alexithymia have difficulty identifying and expressing their feelings. The disorder translates into not being able to imagine what others are feeling and leading to an inability to respond to others’ needs. If acquired at an early age, the disorder might limit access to language and interfere with the socialization process that begins early in life. Moderate to high alexithymia can interfere with personal relationships and hinder therapy. Impulsive behavior is a key symptom of alexithymia, and impulsivity is a precursor to violence.

Article published in Journal of Nurse-Midwifery, Volume 37, Number 2 (Suppl.): Pages 87S-96S, March/April 1992. Marilyn Fayre Milos, RN, and Donna Macris, CNM, MSN, describe the procedure and outcomes of male infant circumcision. The authors discuss the American double standard of the acceptance of circumcision for males but not for women. They also address the many myths that have arisen about male infant circumcision and they debunk them all.

Consider further: The foreskin is normal, healthy, functioning tissue. Circumcision has inherent risks, including hemorrhage, infection, mutilation, and death. Circumcision is painful, even when an anesthetic is used. Circumcision causes both physical and psychological scars. Most importantly, every human being has an inherent, inalienable right to his own body.

Study published in Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 22 August 2011,doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31822e60cb.

Methods: Male university students (aged 18-20 years) were recruited from 2003 to 2009 and followed up triannually. Shaft/scrotum, glans, and urine samples were tested for 37 [alpha] human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes.

Results: In 477 men, rates of acquiring clinically relevant HPV types (high-risk types plus types 6 and 11) did not differ significantly by circumcision status.

Conclusions:Although the likelihood of HPV acquisition did not differ by circumcision status, uncircumcised men were more likely than circumcised men to have infections detected at multiple genital sites, which may have implications for HPV transmission.

Study published in International Conference on AIDS, 15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand, July 11-16: abstract no. TuPeC4861. The Naval Health Research Center conducted a study of men assigned to aircraft carriers. The results showed that "lack of circumcision was not found to be a risk factor for HIV."

Conclusion: Male circumcision "is not associated with HIV or STI prevention in this U. S. military population."

Study in Chinese Medical Journal, 2009, Vol. 122 No. 24:3017-3019 describing the dorsal penil nerve and how it affects premature ejaculation. The penis has highly variable innervation with between 1 and 7 branches of the dorsal penile nerve, In some cases branches continue the way round to the ventral aspect. The nerve topology could possibly explain the highly variable subjective outcome for circumcision. The study states, "the anatomic distribution of penile dorsal neural variation may account for the disadvantages of circumcision."

A HelpDesk Answer published in Evidence-Based Practice, March 2010. Dr. Julia Fashner updates the February 2004 Clinical Inquiry in American Family Physician, 2004; 69(4):909–910.  Dr. Fashner answers the question posed:

Yes. The use of EMLA cream does decrease pain, but it is likely that a dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) does an even better job. Neither will completely eliminate the discomfort of the procedure [infant circumcision].

Paper published in the American Journal of Perinatology, 01 February 2011, Vol. 28, Issue 2, pp. 125-28 (2011). doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1263294. The author, Dr. James F. Smith, is chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the Creighton University School of Medicine, a maternal/fetal medicine specialist with Creighton Medical Associates, and a professor of OB/GYN with Creighton University School of Medicine. Dr. Smith calls on obstetricians and gynecologists to stop performing male circumcisions because the male genital surgery is outside the area of expertise of obstetricians and gynecologists.

Popular in the United States, it [male infant circumcision] has persisted in the scope of practice of obstetrics and gynecology, a field specializing in the opposite gender. To excel in women's reproductive health, we should no longer passively accept or actively maintain this procedure in our specialty. Steps are suggested to remove the residual and improper inclusion of circumcision from the scope of practice of obstetrics and gynecology.