Pregnancy
Circumcision Could Stop The Spread Of HIV. Still Against It?
When it comes to circumcision, I did not need much convincing when it came to how we would handle it if we ever had a son. My husband is circumcised and to be honest, I did not think too hard about whether we would do it for any male children we had- as far as I was concerned, it was a foregone conclusion. I have since done quite a bit of reading on the subject and have also been educated by many of our wonderful Mommyish readers and while I appreciate their arguments and evidence, I remain firmly in the camp of “circumcision, yes please”. My son is circumcised and I have never once questioned whether it was the right thing to do. I have my reasons and in our family, it is just what is done. I am good with that.
That does not mean, however, that I don’t still eagerly read anything I come across that touts the benefits of circumcision. All parents want to be validated that the choices they make for their children are the right ones and I love to hear that there are benefits to circumcision beyond the hygienic and cosmetic.
There have been studies that have shown that male circumcision could reduce the risk of HIV transmission by as much as 44-71 percent. In light of this information, some researched balked at the idea saying that circumcision could make men feel invincible against the virus and could promote riskier behavior than in an uncircumcised male. A study has been completed that proves this to be untrue. From Smithsonian.com:
Now, however, evidence has emerged that circumcision does not increase risky behaviors in men. Researchers followed more than 3,000 young men, half of whom took part in a voluntary circumcision program in Kenya between 2008 and 2010. Every six months after their enrollment, the researchers would contact the men to check up on their sexual history, their condom use and their perceived risks of getting HIV, Medical News Today continues.
Over the two year study period, both circumcised and uncircumcised men engaged in similar amounts of sexual activity. Both groups also increased their condom use, and cut their engagement in risky sexual behaviors. Both groups’ perceived risk of contracting HIV also decreased, although that drop was more pronounced in the circumcised group. Either way, however, the researchers did not find a link between the perceived risk and a person’s likelihood to engage in risky behaviors, Medical News Today reports.
This study basically says that there is no link to male circumcision and riskier sexual behavior, as was once presumed to be the case. I realize this particular study focuses on a group of African males but the CDC information stands for anyone. Circumcision could stop the spread of HIV and I am very glad my son has been circumcised for this and many reasons.
(Image: Oksana Kuzmina/Shutterstock)
