Dr. Jim Shelton's Pearls

"Pearl" for the week of May 11, 2009

Benefits of Male Circumcision Beyond HIV Protection

Q:I know there is very solid evidence that male circumcision (MC) markedly reduces men’s risk of HIV, but does it reduce the risk of other STIs?

A:Yes, not only for the men but for their female partners also. For example for men, evidence from but one of the recent MC randomized trials found it reduced the risk of genital herpes (HSV-2) as well as human papillomavirus (HPV) the virus largely responsible for cervical and penile cancers.

For women, in addition to reduced exposure to HPV, the same study also found a decreased risk of genital ulceration, trichomonas and bacterial vaginosis.

Thus MC has important reproductive health benefits for both men and their women partners beyond the reduced HIV risk for men.

References:

1. Tobian AA et al. Male circumcision for the prevention of HSV-2 and HPV infections and syphilis. NEJm 2009; 360:1298-309.

2. Gray RH et al. The effects of male circumcision on female partners’ genital tract symptoms and vaginal infections in a randomized trial in Rakai, Uganda. Am J OB Gyn 2009; 200(1):42.e1-7. Epub 2008 Oct 30



The "Pearls" offer answers to commonly asked questions about family planning. These "Pearls" are prepared by Dr. James D. Shelton, Senior Medical Scientist, Office of Population, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

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