admin
Dear Confused
Thank you for writing in to us as you make a very important decision which affects your health as well as the health of your future bride and family.
There is scientific evidence that male circumcision reduces the risk of acquired HIV infection through vaginal sex in men by approximately 60 percent.
Studies done have shown that male circumcision provided by well-trained health workers in appropriate facilities is safe. It is recommended that male circumcision should be used as a way to prevent HIV in places with high HIV rates and low male circumcision rates such as Zimbabwe where the main mode of transmission is mainly between men and women sexual transmission.
But please note that male circumcision provides only partial protection, and therefore should be only used alongside the other methods of HIV prevention which include: the provision of HIV testing and counselling services; treatment for sexually transmitted infections; the promotion of safer sex practices; the provision of male and female condoms and promotion of their correct and consistent use.
This means that even if you get circumcised this is not a free ticket to engage in risky sexual practices. It is important that you continue to get tested for HIV, seek treatment for STIs and use condoms correctly and consistently. Some men believe that circumcision protects them from HIV 100 percent and this is simply not true.
If you decide to get circumcised you should know that you are in good company. Since the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programme started over 10 million men have been circumcised in the 14 countries in Africa that have taken up the strategy.
This has been shown in the reduced rates of HIV transmission over the years.If the VMMC targets are reached HIV infections would be prevented in both men and women. Although it is not known whether male circumcision reduces transmission of HIV from men to women, male circumcision provides indirect protection for women by reducing their exposure to men who are infected with the virus. This means that by getting circumcised you will be also protecting your partner as you will be HIV-free. Everyone wins!
The reason why some negativity surrounds circumcision is because some people believe there are complications which can develop during the procedure.
In fact currently complications due to male circumcision such as bleeding occur in less than one percent of men circumcised in Zimbabwe. Health professionals who undertake the procedure are well-trained and ensure safe practice. Another doubt is the actual protection a man has against HIV after circumcision.
Like it was said before, protection is only 60 percent. A condom provides 99 percent protection. There is a concern that promoting circumcision will demote use of condoms and lead to risky behaviour. This is why the VMMC programme goes alongside HIV testing, STI treatment and condom promotion.
There are other benefits of circumcision which will lead you to better health. Circumcision does not affect male sexual drive or functioning. When a man is not circumcised, moisture can get trapped between his penis and the foreskin, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. This means there’s a higher risk of infection and it’s easier to spread viruses to others.
Removing the foreskin gets rid of the wet, warm and dark environment that can sustain viruses such as HIV and other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, herpes and cancroids. Also being circumcised reduces your female partner’s risk of cervical cancer.
There is also reduced risk of acquiring cancer of the penis. It can be difficult to keep an uncircumcised penis fresh 100 percent of the time. Circumcision simplifies the task of keeping the penis clean and keeps you fresher, giving you more confidence. Some women prefer circumcised penises due to personal preference, as well as the reasons listed here.
I do recommend that you consider circumcision for the health of you and your new family.
derick.khumalo