Does circumcision really lower STD risk?

by Kristin Cantu on January 7, 2010

child circumcisionA group of doctors from the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins are pushing the case for neonatal circumcision. They argue that recent studies show that circumcision is an effective method for reducing the risk of catching certain sexually transmitted diseases.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ stance has been that there isn’t enough evidence to recommend routine circumcision. However, they are reviewing evidence this year to determine if they should update their recommendations.

Children’s Hiep Nguyen, MD, co-director of the Center for Robotic Surgery and director of Robotic Surgery Research and Training, answers common questions about circumcision.

What are your reasons for choosing to or opting not to have your son circumcised?

Tagged as: circumcision, infants, sexually transmitted disease, STD

4 comments

For more great stories like this, join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Do you have suggestions for topics you’d like to see covered on Thriving or a story about your child’s health that you want to share with others? Please send us your ideas and stories.
  • http://www.samedaystdtesting.com Same Day STD Testing

    circumcision in our opinion is very barbaric and has never been shown to have any benefits outside of its religious reason for being performed. std infections have nothing to do with whether the male has a sheath of skin in tact to cover the penis or not. stds are spread regardless. Bottom line is if an infected person is having unprotected sex and has contact with body fluids anally, orally or vaginally. This is the usual protocol.

  • http://www.samedaystdtesting.com Same Day STD Testing

    circumcision in our opinion is very barbaric and has never been shown to have any benefits outside of its religious reason for being performed. std infections have nothing to do with whether the male has a sheath of skin in tact to cover the penis or not. stds are spread regardless. Bottom line is if an infected person is having unprotected sex and has contact with body fluids anally, orally or vaginally. This is the usual protocol.

  • BMS

    My sons are adopted, and came to us uncircumcised as infants. I saw no reason to add unnecessary surgery to their adjustment issues. They had enough going on with new caregivers, new language, new sounds, smells, and sights. My pediatrician was relieved when we said we weren’t interested in it. So far, I don’t notice any difference at all.

  • BMS

    My sons are adopted, and came to us uncircumcised as infants. I saw no reason to add unnecessary surgery to their adjustment issues. They had enough going on with new caregivers, new language, new sounds, smells, and sights. My pediatrician was relieved when we said we weren't interested in it. So far, I don't notice any difference at all.

Previous post:

Next post: