Male Circumcision and Its Long-Term Impact on Infections and Sexual Health: A Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2025.82.60483Keywords
Male circumcision, foreskin removal, STI, HIVAbstract
Introduction and Purpose:
Male circumcision is a surgical procedure that has been performed for thousands of years. In addition to traditional religious or cultural indications, there are also medical reasons for undertaking this intervention. Recently, there has been growing interest in the long-term effects of circumcision, particularly its association with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexual satisfaction. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on these issues.
Current State of Knowledge:
Our analysis of observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses indicates that male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HIV and HPV infections, and lowers the likelihood of transmission to sexual partners. This also translates into reduced risk of cervical cancer in female partners of circumcised men. However, data concerning other STIs, such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Treponema pallidum, remain inconclusive and require further investigation. Male circumcision is also a well-established factor in reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Findings related to sexual satisfaction post-circumcision are conflicting, with some studies reporting increased satisfaction, while others indicate a decline.
Summary:
Male circumcision appears to offer long-term protective benefits against HIV, HPV, and UTIs. However, due to inconsistent findings on other STIs and sexual satisfaction outcomes, further high-quality research is necessary to draw more definitive conclusions.
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