Circumcision Cuts HIV Risk

Circumcised men get fewer HIV infections. Penile circumcision, whether done as an infant or later in life, reduces the chances of men who indulge in penile-vaginal sex contracting HIV by up to 60 percent. However, circumcision may not be as effective at reducing HIV transmission for men who have sex with men (MSM) and effective ways to protect against HIV and STIs when engaging in sexual activity are condoms or other barrier methods.

What is penile circumcision?

Penile circumcision is a procedure in which the foreskin, or the skin at the tip of the penis, is surgically removed. Infant penile circumcision is a relatively quick and easy procedure. In adults, we at FirstCure offer ZSR circumcision also called Stapler Circumcision or Anstomat Circumcision which involvesblocking blood flow at the foreskin using a specific circular clamping device. This is a specialized circumcision technology which uses a surgical stapler to cut and seal the cut skin edges instead of traditional sutures. In conventional circumcision, the surgeon has to first cut the skin with a knife and then stitch it.

In ZSR circumcision technology, the stitching with staples and the cutting are done by the device which helps incise the skin more quickly, with minimal bleeding and pain. It's also less challenging to clean the wound afterward. The entire procedure takes around ten minutes, and the wound will recover in 7 to 10 days. Here’s what you can expect to happen before, during and after the procedure:

As the very first step in ZSR Circumcision, the size of the penis just below the glans is measured. Penis is then surgically disinfected with iodine or other equivalent disinfecting liquids before performing the circumcision procedure. The circumcision stapler is a single-use device. The disposable circumcision stapler is a sterile, hand-held, manual surgical instrument preloaded with non-bioabsorbable skin staples intended to be used to perform a circumcision.

It is designed to cut the foreskin and apply a circular row(s) of staples proximal to the cut line. The stapler portion typically consists of a dome intended to be inserted under the foreskin over the glans penis and a circular cutting stapler mechanism with a manual lever intended to connect over the outside of the foreskin.

– ZSR Circumcision is done under local, regional or general anesthesia depending on the age and medical fitness of the male. The surgery takes a few minutes and is performed in daycare. The patient can go home same day, no stitches are used.

Expected recovery from ZSR Circumcision:

Three weeks are needed to completely recover. After the surgery the patient can go home the same day as minimal rest is required for initial 24 hours. The bandage (dressing) is changed after 48 hours and can be done at home. There is minimal pain after ZSR Circumcision. There is no restriction on office work unless there is strenuous physical activity involved. Patients are advised to avoid masturbation and sexual intercourse for 3 weeks.

In comparison with other circumcision techniques, the advantages of stapler circumcision are:-

Illnesses prevented by penile circumcision

Penile circumcision reduces the chance of transmitting STIs to female sexual partners such as the following:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus comprised of over 100 different strains, including multiple strains that can cause cervical cancer. Research suggests that having a circumcised male partner reduces the chance of developing the types of HPV that cause cancer in women who have penis-vagina sex.

Trichomoniasis, caused by the bacteria Trichomonas vaginalis, is a common STI. Male circumcision reduces chance of trichomoniasis contractions in their female partners by 48 percent.

Bacterial vaginosis(BV) is a bacterial infection caused by an imbalance in the bacteria within the vagina and male circumcision also reduces the chance of BV in female partners.

In a nutshell, it can be summarized that penile circumcision is a common procedure which has protective health benefits, including a reduced chance of HIV for men who have penile-vagina sex. Male circumcision has a protective effect for female partners by reducing the chance of multiple STIs, including HPV, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. However, other highly effective ways for protection against STIs when engaging in sexual activity are condoms or other barrier methods.

Here, we also clarify that circumcision offers less protection for MSM; however, using condoms or other barrier methods is an effective way for MSM to protect against HIV and STIs as well. Speak with your doctor at FirstCure Health to learn more about the risks and benefits of this procedure for you.