In some countries, people choose circumcising their baby boys to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Circumcision also has other advantages like decreasing urinary tract infections and protecting against issues with the foreskin.
Additionally, it can help prevent balanitis, balanoposthitis and phimosis – rare but serious problems that can develop when the foreskin is pulled back too tightly or not retracted properly.
Reduced risk of sexually transmitted infections
The head of the penis is covered with tough skin that shields it against microtears during sex that could allow germs inside. This may help protect against infections like herpes or genital warts.
A trial conducted in Uganda has demonstrated that males circumcised for health reasons have a 25% lower risk of genital herpes and 35% lower likelihood of HPV, the virus responsible for genital cancers. Furthermore, these findings could potentially shield their sexual partners from infection as well.
Circumcision is a well-established intervention for HIV prevention in high-risk populations, but its efficacy on other sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the connection between circumcision and various STIs such as syphilis, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), chlamydia, and genital ulcer disease.
Reduced risk of penile cancer
Circumcision has been found to reduce a man’s risk of penile cancer. This may be because circumcision can prevent phimosis, an accumulation of material under the foreskin known as smegma.
Balanitis, also known as involuntary prostatic hyperplasia, can occur if a man’s foreskin fails to retract properly.
Men with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), who have AIDS, a virus caused by HIV, have an increased likelihood of developing penile cancer than other men due to their compromised immune systems.
Reduced risk of phimosis and paraphimosis
Circumcision can reduce your risk of phimosis, or a retracted foreskin that cannot be pulled back over the penis (glans). Additionally, it helps prevent paraphimosis.
Phimosis is common among babies and toddlers, but can become an issue for older children and adults due to sexually transmitted infections.
Avoid phimosis and paraphimosis by regularly cleaning your penis with warm water, both above and beneath it. Doing this can help avoid swollen, painful penises and glans.
Paraphimosis should be addressed promptly if you experience pain, swelling and an inflamed tip of your penis (glans). Furthermore, paraphimosis could block blood flow to your penis, potentially leading to tissue death.circumcision clinic adelaide
Reduced risk of urinary tract infections
Circumcision can have several major advantages, one of which being that it lowers the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are bacterial infections in the kidneys, bladder, urethra and ureters which can be painful or lead to serious illnesses.
A review of 22 studies published between 1987 and 2012 found that circumcised boys were approximately three to four times less likely to get a urinary tract infection (UTI) than their uncircumcised counterparts. These results were much larger than two previous estimates which predicted 111 or 195 circumcisions would be necessary in order to prevent one case of UTI in the first year after birth.
Zbys Fedorowicz, director of the Bahrain branch of the UK Cochrane Centre, expressed his dissatisfaction with Morris’ team’s methods and declared their findings to be “inappropriate.” He pointed out that their 22-study analysis combined different types of studies without adequately examining their quality.
Reduced risk of cervical cancer
Women who have undergone circumcision are significantly less likely to develop cervical cancer than their uncircumcised counterparts. This decrease is primarily attributed to protection from HPV, the virus
responsible for most cervical cancers.
Most cervical cancers begin in round, flat cells called squamous cells that line the outer part of the cervix. When these cells change irresponsibly, it can result in a tumor or cancer.
Squamous cell cancers can also arise in glandular cells lining the passageway between the uterus and vagina. Although this form of cervical cancer is uncommon, it should not be overlooked.
Other risk factors for cervical cancer in women include smoking, not getting regular Pap tests and having HPV infections. Furthermore, taking certain medications may weaken the immune system – thus raising the chance of developing cervical cancer.
