There are many circumcision risks and benefits, but which ones are the most important? Read on to find out. Circumcision improves penile aesthetics and enhances sexual performance and pleasure. A significant number of couples report an improvement in their intimate lives after circumcision. Women also report a greater level of sexual intimacy after circumcision. Both men and women will experience a healthier penis and a lower risk of HIV infection after circumcision.
HIV risk reduction
While the HIV risk in men following circumcision is lower than in women, it is still a positive indicator for protecting female partners. Uganda had 80% of eligible subjects who agreed to be circumcised. Southeast Asia and other regions with high HIV burdens should continue to conduct acceptability research. It is important to remember that circumcision is not the only HIV prevention strategy. HIV testing, prevention of STIs and condom use, as well as counseling for behavioral change should all continue to be a key part of the prevention plan.
Researchers have found that circumcision can reduce the risk of HIV infection. However, it also protects against other sexually transmitted diseases by reducing protection by 60%. HIV can be transmitted to the sub-preputial spaces, which lack a protective keratin membrane. These cells can become infected with HIV, and they serve as reservoirs. These cells are also responsible to transport the virus from nearby lymph nodes to infect immune cells.
Reduction in the risk of a urinary tract infection
Researchers have shown that a boy’s circumcision may reduce the risk of recurring urinary tract infections. The risk of UTIs in boys was 9.9x higher than the uncircumcised counterpart. However, the protective benefits of circumcision seem diminish with age. One study found that one UTI could be prevented by a doctor for every four circumcisions. Further research is needed in order to determine the most important factors to reduce the risk for UTI.
A meta-analysis of 12 studies found that 402,908 boys were included in the analysis. The studies consisted of one randomized controlled trial (RCT), four case-control studies, and seven cohort studies. The statistically significant decrease in UTIs was seen in four cohort studies and seven case-control studies. Also statistically significant was the reduction in UTI risk after circumcision. A further factor is that it takes between seven and twenty circumcisions before one UTI can be prevented.
Reduced risk of balanitis
Your doctor may recommend that you circumcise if you are suffering from frequent bouts of balanitis. Balanitis is caused by bacteria that thrive in moist conditions under the foreskin. Usually, the condition resolves when the foreskin separates form the glans. Typically, it is between two and six months old. If the condition continues after this time, you might experience more episodes.
Balanitis risk reduction after circumcising your child can be a significant benefit. However, you need to take precautions to prevent it from happening again. Regular washing is an important step in reducing the chance of developing balanitis. To avoid excess moisture, dry the penis. However, too much genital washing with soap can aggravate the condition. Diabetes can also increase the risk of infection. Insulin-resistant bacteria can multiply faster when glucose is present on your foreskin.
Reduction in risk of prostate cancer
Recent studies have shown that circumcision can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer by as much as 15%. However, the relationship between circumcision and prostate cancer is not clear. The findings of this study, which also looked at the role of circumcision in reducing the risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), are still controversial. Age is one factor that may increase your chance of getting prostate cancer. The risk of developing the disease increases with age.
A large study found that circumcision can lower the risk of prostate cancer 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. There were however some striking differences among the two groups. Interestingly, circumcision only protected Black men, who are most likely to develop prostate carcinoma. However, circumcision was not effective in protecting other study subjects.
