Protection Against A Number of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Protection against a number of sexually transmitted infections- the moist inner surface of the foreskin is both a magnet and a refuge for infectious agents.
1. HIV/AIDs. In the past 20 years since the outbreak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic more than 20 million people have died, and 40 million people now carry HIV with 2.5 million new cases each year. More than 30 separate studies, including the gold standard, 3 randomized clinical trials in the past 3 years, have proven that circumcision is 50-60% effective in preventing the acquisition of HIV on exposure. This evidence is accepted by the UN, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. NIH among others, and 5 African countries are starting mass adult circumcision programs. At the same time multiple attempts at developing an HIV vaccine have failed.
2. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This is the most prevalent STI in the United States (US) – 6 million new cases/year. An international study involving 5 nations has shown that HPV is 3 times more commonly found on uncircumcised penises as compared to those circumcised. HPV is the cause of penile, cervical and anogenital cancers.
3. Chlamydia is second in prevalence to HPV as an STI in the US. Women sexual partners of uncircumcised men are 5 times more likely to have high antibody titers to Chlamydia as the partners of circumcised men. Chlamydia is a leading cause of female infertility.
4. Syphilis has long been known to be more common in uncircumcised men. Easy tearing of the delicate inner foreskin lining during intercourse offers entry to the spirochete.
5. Chancroid. Less lethal than syphilis but prevalent in under developed countries. During the Korean War, 90% of chancroid cases in US soldiers occurred in the 30% who weren’t circumcised.
6. Herpes simplex. A recent study showed that circumcision reduces the acquisition of genital herpes by 25%.
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Going........Going........ and nearly Gone!!!!! and despite all of the scaremongering by the pro-circumcision lobby. But it's easy to understand the pain of those whom were circumcised at birth, so traumatised by the procedure that they have projected that trauma into a pathological hatred of the foreskin, and try to heal themselves by advocating that every one else be circumcised also. You will never know the pleasure of the foreskin whose sensations make those of the glans seem insignificant.
I think parents should teach their sons about safe sex. The best way to prevent STIs is FAITHFUL MONOGAMUS relationships. The other non sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented by good hygine, just as they are prevented in our daughters.
Where is my circumsied cousin.... hmm he died years ago from AIDS. oops i guess it didn't protect him
Dr. Schoen refers to a number of studies without identifying them.
Here is an identified study that found more STDs in circumcised men:
Laumann, EO, Masi CM, Zuckerman EW. Circumcision in the United States. JAMA 1997;277(13):1052-7.
http://www.cirp.org/library/general/laumann /
1. HIV/AIDS - The prevalence rate of HIV in the USA is estimated at 6 in 1000. In many nations it is even lower. 2. HPV - Just like the HIV example, if we take the rate of prevalence rates for penile, cervical and anogenital cancers, we find that about 100,000 infant boys will have to be circumcised to prevent a single death from these causes. 3. Chlamydia - In 2006, there were 1,030,911 cases of Chlamydia in the USA. This is a rate of 347.8 people out of every 100,000. Chlamydia is treatable. 4. Syphilis / Chancroid - In 2006, there were 36,935 cases of Syphilis in the USA. This is a rate of 12.5 people out of every 100,000. 5. Herpes simplex - Even with the high rate of herpes transmission, it should be kept in mind that herpes is not fatal.
Schoen is suggesting we perform surgeries on millions of infant boys every year in order to prevent a few thousand people from getting diseases, several of which are cureable with antibiotics.
addendum to the above:
...some of which are preventable by washing...
...some of which are preventable by wearing protection...
...all of which can be contracted by all men, circumcised or not...
Contrary to Schoen's claims, the foreskin actually provides protection against infection. The Langerhans cells in the foreskin secrete langerin that stops HIV.[1] The moisture under the foreskin contains pathogen fighting substances.[3]
1. http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/HIV/de_witte2007 /
2. http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/STD/fleiss3 /