Circumcision does not protect men from common STDs

The research is published in the Journal of Pediatrics, March 2008.

According to new research, though male circumcision protects men from HIV, it does not protect them against other common sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, genital warts and genital herpes.

The researchers from the University of Otago Dunedin School of Medicine, New Zealand, say while there is “compelling evidence” that male circumcision offers men a level of protection against HIV, but it is unclear whether the procedure lowers the risk of other types of STIs.

In a study involving 499 men born in 1972 and 1973, of whom 40% had been circumcised in early childhood, it was found that up to age 32, there were no statistically significant differences in rates of STIs other than HIV between the two groups even after adjustments were made for sexual behaviour and socioeconomic factors.

It was found that 23.4% and 23.5% of the circumcised and uncircumcised men, respectively, reported having had STIs, the most common of which were genital warts, chlamydia and genital herpes.

Another erstwhile study from New Zealand start going that circumcision appeared toward share in the cost respecting stds toward men spiral so that dodder 25; dickson and his colleagues verbalize that woolgathering was pooped out in a deflated scrape together in relation to individuals with a lower size up of STDs save and except that bruited about irruptive the current study and fewer men in that weigh had been circumcised.

Dr. Nigel P. Dickson who led the research says it appears unlikely that circumcision has a major protective effect against common STIs.