Many doctors have long held the belief that circumcision helps reduce the risk of STDs. This belief was based on the belief of how men handled their sexual hygiene based on whether they were circumcised or not. No evidence supported this other than opinion and many men that were involved in the US military service during the first World Wars were actually circumcised in an attempt to help them ward off any STDs.

One study has determined that men who have been circumcised males are actually at a higher risk for STDs because it has been proven these males engage in more sexually risky behavior. The majority of men in the United States are circumcised and have much higher rates of STDs and lack of condom usage that the majority of men in the United Kingdom who are intact.

In fact, there are many aspects of the intact penis that actually protect against infection rather than the other way around. For example, men who have been circumcised have mucus membranes that are dried out as compared to naturally moist membranes in intact men. What this means is that men who are circumcised have fewer natural defenses against STDs than men who are not circumcised.

The foreskin moisturizes the penis naturally so that it will stay in the best condition and healthy. Lyzosyme is an enzyme that is found in the moisture in the folds of the skin and it actually attacks and destroys bacteria cells.

Many studies have been conducted that have found no health reason for circumcision. In fact, many studies have actually found that men who are circumcised have higher frequency of STDs than non circumcised men. Men who have many sexual partners and no foreskin actually have higher levels of STDs. Interestingly, a study found that men who were circumcised had a rate of 25.4/1000 for Chlamydia while intact men had a rate of zero. Men with intact foreskin had a rate of 8.1/1000 of herpes while circumcised males had 14.9/1000. This shows without a doubt that men who are circumcised will have a higher chance of contracting an STD over their lifetime.

Parents should keep this in mind when they are considering whether or not to circumcise their child. Unfortunately, many Americans choose to circumcise simply because the neighbors do. This is a risky decision that should be considered carefully before making the decision.

Posted in Circumcision

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