New Study Shows Circumcision Prevents HPV and herpes

Circumcision not only protects against HIV in heterosexual men, but also HPV and herpes. Circumcised males reduced their risk of infection with HPV by 35 percent and herpes by 28 percent.

Earlier studies in Africa had previously shown that circumcision had a protective effect from HIV, sometimes by up to 60 percent. These most recent findings are reported in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine

Matthew Golden, a researcher I am very familiar with said "Evidence now strongly suggests that circumcision offers an important prevention opportunity and should be widely available,"

About 30 percent of men are circumcised. In the United States, where about 80 percent of men are circumcised, but is often done for aesthetic or religous reasons, not for sexual health.

For more on the study, see todays New England Journal of Medicine (3/27) or http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/ap_on_he_me/med_circumcision_stds;_ylt=AjhgALX.rUkwpBovkhZpyWDVJRIF

HPV can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Herpes greatly increases the chances of infection with HIV. Preventing these diseases will have a trickle down effect of preventing other STD, most importantly HIV. It is well known that having one STD of any kind greatly increases your risk of contracting another. HOWEVER, I dont believe circumcision should be seen as an effective protection method. Condoms are the only way to fully protect, limiting number of sexual partners etc. However, in places like Sub-Saharan Africa where HIV is more common than the common cold, I think any bit of protection will go a long way, even circumcision.