Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Corresponding Author: John N. Tel: ; Fax: ; jkrieger u. Male circumcision is being promoted for HIV prevention in high-risk heterosexual populations. However, there is a concern that circumcision may impair sexual function. Exclusion criteria included foreskin covering less than half the glans, a condition that might unduly increase surgical risks, or a medical indication for circumcision.
Participants were randomized to either immediate circumcision or delayed circumcision after 2 years control group. Detailed evaluations occurred at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Between February and September , 2, participants were randomized, including the excluded from this analysis because they crossed over, were not circumcised within 30 days of randomization, did not complete baseline interviews, or were outside the age range.
For the circumcision and control groups, respectively, rates of any reported sexual dysfunction decreased from Changes over time were not associated with circumcision status. Compared to before they were circumcised, Adult male circumcision was not associated with sexual dysfunction. Circumcised men reported increased penile sensitivity and enhanced ease of reaching orgasm. These data indicate that integration of male circumcision into programs to reduce HIV risk is unlikely to adversely effect male sexual function.
Male circumcision is now being promoted in many areas, particularly in eastern and southern Africa, as a public health measure to reduce HIV risk. Possible mechanisms by which male circumcision may protect against HIV infection include that circumcised men have more penile cornification, lower rates of penile injury during intercourse, fewer HIV receptors, and lower rates of inflammation and of some sexually transmitted infections STIs [ 1 β 3 ]. The clinical trials documented acceptable surgery-related adverse event rates [ 1 β 3 ], and the World Health Organization now recommends male circumcision as one element of HIV prevention programs [ 5 ].
Neonatal circumcision reduces urinary tract infection rates substantially [ 6 β 8 ], and other data suggest that male circumcision is associated with lower rates of STIs [ 9 β 15 ]. Circumcised males do not develop phimosis or para-phimosis, and they are at lower risk for balanitis, human papilloma virus infection [ 16 ], and penile cancer [ 17 β 19 ]. In addition, female sexual partners of circumcised men have been shown to have reduced risk of cervical cancer [ 13 ] and chlamydial infection [ 20 ].
