How does circumcision helps prevent HIV infections?

Question

Does circumcision helps prevent HIV infections?

Answer 1

hiv is transmitted through blood and bodily secretions. having a foreskin does not mean that you are at more risk to infect or be infected. however, if you do not clean underneath the foreskin regularly, you might get little infections, not HIV though. but in this day and age, with running water readily available, it is highly unlikely. also circumcision is not natural. it takes away up to 60% of a mans sexual pleasure.

Answer 2

No, circumcision does not prevent HIV infections. The recent studies seem to suggest that it might decrease HIV infections, but doesn't prevent them entirely. The mechanism by which this works, no one knows; thus, it may just be a really lucky correlation rather than a cause/effect relation.

People had two ideas how it might decrease the infections. One is that there are a type of cells that appeared to bind to HIV. People had thought that these cells draw the HIV into the body, but very recent research has found this to be untrue. It might actually help keep HIV at bay, to a degree, by degrading many HIV viruses before it can enter the body. In effect, circumcision would remove most/all of these helpful cells. See 1st link.

The second theory is that some think that improper hygiene might contribute to an environment that allows HIV to survive long enough to get into the body via the mucus lining of the urethra and such. Clearly, good hygiene should eliminate this disparity. Surely enough, there's research that with proper hygiene, the infection rates between circumcised and uncircumcised men are insignificant. See 2nd link.

The third thought is that the inner foreskin is very thin. Also the glans of the uncircumcised penis is very thin. During sex this might cause tiny abrasions and tears, especially if the guy's rough during sex. This isn't without it's own flaws. A circumcised penis is drier and may be prone to cracks in cold dry weather. Also, sex with a circumcised penis requires more lubrication as both partners dry out easier. When this happens, abrasion is just (if not more) likely. So while the uncircumcised penis "might" be more fragile, it retains the natural lubrication of the female partner better so it won't likely tear as often as it might otherwise.

Lastly, it's fully possible that these studies were just lucky coincidences (though, with a larger sample size, this gets less and less likely). What's most important to point out is that the US has one of the highest HIV infection rates of the developed nations, and it also have one of the highest circumcision rates. Clearly, there is something far more important at play that circumcision status. These studies and this claim should be taken with a grain of salt, as safe sex will trump circumcision any day.

Answer 3

From what they have observed, it did. But they did not conclude that circumcision helps prevent HIV infections.
All you can conclude from the reports that you've read is that it is possible that it does helps prevent.


Anyways, the theories have been accepted were:

Circumcised men have their foreskin removed, so during sex, and after sex, the exchange of bodily fluid, is easier removed, and having a higher chance of none bodily fluid left in the penis of the man.

Because for uncircumcised man, with the foreskin, after having sex(with HIV carrier?), he may not cleanly remove the bodily fluid of the HIV carrier, hence higher chance of getting it.


Mainly also related to hygiene problems.






Hope this helps

Answer 4

Although some random "study" in Africa may say it does (and I mean, come on, Africa!; how does hygiene in Africa compare to the developed world?) but in reality, statistics show that in the developed nations, the nation that circumcises the most has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, those that don't circumcise, such as Europe and Japan (and oddly plenty of poorer Latin American countries) have lower HIV/AIDS rate.

Who will you believe, a "study" done in the most unhygienic area of the world or true statistics?

Just keep it clean and you'll be fine. Really, all it takes is five seconds to slide the foreskin back and rub the head when you shower, and it even feels good! I've never had a problem with hygiene or infections or any of that stuff with me. =)

My theory is that while the foreskin keeps the head moist, even if it does make it worse in Africa, I think in the developed world it is beneficial, for example, that means the head is less likely to become dry and crack like skin on your hands. Lubricant isn't needed that way, either (although most cut guys don't need it either, some do, it all depends on how tightly cut they end up)

Answer 5

Circumcision only helps anyone who does not plan to clean their penis properly and even then there will always be the risk of contracting infections, diseases, etc.. There have been many wars in history pertaining to this "practice or tradition" and its seems that "religion" is more of a reason than "personal hygiene" for any mother or parents to decide this is what they want for their son.....Idiots

Sorry circumcision does not help prevent any infection, as a matter of fact I've seen bad cases of balanitis on some patients and they were all circumcised!!!!!!!

Answer 6

In an "extraordinary development" in the fight against AIDS, a medical journal article published Friday says that conclusive data shows there is no question circumcision reduces men's chances of catching HIV by up to 60 percent.


this story ran on yahoo news CNN Time and MSN i think the experts and scientist know more then people on yahoo.

Answer 7

The skin on the underside of the foreskin is very thin and delicate; it tears easily. Any tears or irritation allow a place for the pesky HIV virus to enter and infect the body. If the HIV is only on the (unbroken) skin, you cannot become infected.

Answer 8

For a few months after being mutilated it is too sore to use, if you keep it in your pants and bandaged up you don't get HIV or any other STD. After it is all healed up it is a different matter, you must use a condom and be careful where you poke it, just like you do if you haven't been mutilated.

Answer 9

the cells in the foreskin of the penis are 60% more likely to contract HIV than if you were circumcised

Answer 10

H.I.V. is a blood and body fluid transmission and has nothing to do with circumcision.