Feb 12, 2023 22:00:00

Research results that circumcision changes the microbiome of the penis

Circumcision is the act of removing part of the male penis or female vagina, and some religions and ethnic groups ritually remove part of the foreskin from the male penis during childhood. Research results have been reported that changes occur in the microbiome (so) in the penis of such a circumcised child.

Characterization of Changes in Penile Microbiome Following Pediatric Circumcision - European Urology Focus
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2022.12.007

Circumcision Appears to Alter The Penis Microbiome, Study Finds : ScienceAlert
https://www.sciencealert.com/circumcision-appears-to-alter-the-penis-microbiome-study-finds

The theory that circumcision reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections has existed since at least the 19th century. An English physician named Jonathan Hutchinson claimed in 1855 that 'the circumcised Jewish community of London is more protected from syphilis than the uncircumcised community.'

However, scientists at the time pointed out that there was a leap in Hutchinson's theory, and argued that there may be factors other than circumcision that lead to the result that ``the number of syphilis patients in the Jewish community is low.'' . Similar arguments persist to this day, with proponents and opponents of the circumcision lower risk of sexually transmitted diseases finding both sides to be more scientifically sound than the other.

A 2006

study that meta-analyzed data from 26 articles found that circumcision was associated with a reduced risk of bacterial infections such as syphilis and viral infections such as genital herpes. Also, two studies published in 2020 found evidence that the penis of circumcised adult men has a different microbiota than that of uncircumcised men, suggesting that the microbiome of circumcised men is bacterial . The possibility of suppressing sexually transmitted diseases such as vaginosis and AIDS was also shown.

However, research findings surrounding AIDS are controversial. A study based on observational data collected in South Africa showed that circumcision could reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by 50-60%, but was published in October 2022. Studies have reported that circumcision does not reduce HIV risk. In Africa, there is a movement to introduce circumcision as a way to stop HIV infection, but the research team could not confirm the relationship between circumcision and reducing the risk of HIV infection, and pointed out that the strategy to promote circumcision is questionable. .

A new study compared the pre- and post-circumcision penile microbiota of 11 children living in the United States who were scheduled to be circumcised. The analysis revealed some notable differences in the microbiota of the penis before and after circumcision. Other studies have linked some of the reduced microbiota after circumcision to sexually transmitted infections, suggesting that circumcision may reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

However, Science Alert, a scientific media, pointed out that although the results of this study are certainly interesting, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the sample size is small and the causal relationship has not been proven. 'Of course, it may be true that removing the foreskin of the penis alters the microbiome. However, it is unclear what effect these alterations have on bacterial and viral infections. Some changes may affect health.' It may be good for you, but another change may be harmful.'