There are many circumcision benefits. But which are the most important? Read on to find out.
Circumcision can improve penile aesthetics as well as sexual performance and pleasure. A
significant proportion of couples report that they feel more intimate after having circumcision.
Women also report a greater level of sexual intimacy after circumcision. For both men and for
women, circumcision leads to a healthier penis, and lower HIV infection risk.
HIV risk reduction
Although the HIV risk for men after circumcision is reduced by a small amount, it is still a positive
sign to protect female partners. In Uganda, 80% of the eligible control subjects agreed to be
circumcised. Southeast Asia and other regions with high HIV burdens should continue to
conduct acceptability research. However, it is important to note that circumcision alone is not a
complete HIV prevention strategy. HIV testing, prevention, condom use, and counseling
regarding behavioral change are all important parts of the prevention package.
Researchers have noted that circumcision decreases the risk of HIV infection despite a 60%
reduction on protection against other sexually transmitted illnesses. HIV may be transmitted
through the subpreputial space. This area lacks a protective layer of keratin. HIV can infect
these cells, which serve as reservoirs of the virus. These cells are also responsible for
transporting the virus to nearby lymph nodes, where it infects immune cells.
Reduced risk of infection in the urinary tract
Researchers have found that circumcision can reduce the risk of recurring infections in the
urinary tract. The risk of developing an UTI in boys was 9.9 times greater than in their
uncircumcised counterparts. However, the protective benefits of circumcision seem diminish with
age. One study showed that doctors could prevent one UTI per four circumcisions. Further
research is needed to determine which factors are most important to reduce the risk of UTI.
A meta-analysis of 12 studies found that 402,908 boys were included in the analysis. The
studies consisted in one randomized control trial, four cohort studies, seven case-control and
seven group studies. Among these studies, the reduction in UTI was statistically significant.
Statistics also showed a statistically significant reduction in the risk of UTI following circumcision.
The number of circumcisions required to prevent one UTI was between seven and twenty.
Reduced balanitis risk
If you have been experiencing recurrent episodes of balanitis, your doctor might suggest that
you undergo circumcision. Balanitis can be caused by bacteria that thrives in moist environments
under the foreskin. The condition usually resolves by the time that the foreskin is separated from
the glans. This can be between two and six years. However, if the condition persists, you may
experience more episodes.
Although circumcising your child will reduce your risk of developing balanitis, there are steps you
can take to avoid it happening again. Regular washing is an important step in reducing the
chance of developing balanitis. To avoid excess moisture under the skin, dry your penis. Too
much genital wash with soap can make the condition worse. Diabetes increases the likelihood of
infection. Infections caused by bacteria multiply more easily when glucose is present on the
foreskin.
Reduced risk of prostate cancer
Recent studies show that circumcision may lower the risk for prostate cancer by upto 15%.
However the link between circumcision, prostate cancer and it is not clear. While there are many
other possible reasons for circumcision, including its role in reducing risk of sexually transmitted
diseases (STIs), the findings from this study are still controversial. Age is one factor that may
increase your chance of getting prostate cancer. As a man gets older, the likelihood of
developing this disease increases.
A large study showed that circumcision could lower the risk of prostate carcinoma in Black men.
White men did not experience the same protective effect as Black men. The relative risks were
also similar for Black men and Whites. However, there were some striking differences in the
results. Interestingly, circumcision was protective only for Black men, which are the most likely to
develop prostate cancer. However, circumcision was not effective in protecting other study
subjects.