Circumcision May Protect Men From HPV

To snip, or not to snip?

That has been an age-old question.

There are many reasons supporters of circumcision have advocated for foreskin removal, and many more counter-arguments. The health issue is a big one, though. Many say it’s cleanier, and therefore healthier, to be circumcised, and others say keeping good hygiene is just as effective in having a clean peen as getting surgery.

However, a new study shows that circumcised men may be protected from HPV, the sexually transmitted disease that can lead to herpes and cervical cancer in women. Says FOX News,

Men who are circumcised may be more protected against persistent infection with the virus that causes genital warts, a new study suggests.

The study, which followed 285 men ages 18 to 44, found that among those who became infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV), circumcised men were more likely to have their immune systems “clear” the virus by the end of the 18-month study.

When it came to the risk of acquiring the virus in the first place, the biggest risk factor was having a large number of lifetime sex partners, the researchers report in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

There are more than 100 strains of HPV, some of which cause genital warts. In most people, the immune system clears the infection fairly rapidly. However, persistent infection with certain HPV strains can eventually lead to cancer.

Persistent HPV infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer, but it can also lead to cancers of the anus and the penis in men.

Though this is just a loose study, it’s something to think about. Do you have a preference when it comes to the men you sleep with? Would you circumcise your son? Let us know!