After the latest study on circumcision and rate of getting infected with Herpes and HPV, researchers are calling for a change in people’s opinion about the controversial procedure of circumcision. In one of the largest study of its kind, 5,534 men were studied in Uganda taking into account their sexual risk- taking behavior. Half the population was circumcised while the other half remained uncircumcised.

This study was done conducted for over 2 years and it was found that the men who were circumcised had 28 percent lower risk of infection with herpes than the men who were not. And 35 percent lower risk of HPV was seen in those who were circumcised. The added advantage was that it reduced the risk of the involved women getting infected too. With sexually transmitted disease, men are at risk for genital warts and discharge whereas women can develop genital cancer.

Authors of the study also feel insurance should cover circumcision because of all the health benefits. From 1979 where 65 percent was circumcised, the number had dropped to 36 percent in 1999. This is because of various social movements and people believing it isn’t necessary. The fall in number could also be because of the economic status of the parents. If not covered by insurance, it can cost up to $300 and this would make the parents to choose not to circumcise their children as it is only a cultural practice.

The benefits of circumcision are undeniable as per the study. But since parents of children agree to this procedure only for cultural reasons and don’t considered their children’s health benefits after they are sexually active at the time of birth, scientists doubt of this study will increase the number of circumcisions done on newborns. More about it can be known from the source of the article.