Circumcision and HIV

Overview of relationship between male circumcision and HIV

This article is about male circumcision and HIV. For information on female circumcision, see Female genital mutilation.

Male circumcision reduces the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission from HIV positive women to men in high risk populations.[1] In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated that male circumcision is an efficacious intervention for HIV prevention if carried out by medical professionals under safe conditions.[2] Circumcision reduces the risk that a man will acquire HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from an infected female partner through vaginal sex.[3] The evidence regarding whether circumcision helps prevent HIV is not as clear among men who have sex with men (MSM).[2] The effectiveness of using circumcision to prevent HIV in the developed world is not determined.[2][4]

## Efficacy

[edit]

### Heterosexual men

[edit]

As of 2020[update], past research has shown that circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection in heterosexual men, although these studies have had limitations.[5]

The WHO Expert Group on Models To Inform Fast Tracking Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision In HIV Combination Prevention in 2016 found "large benefits" of circumcision in settings with high HIV prevalence and low circumcision prevalence. The Group estimated male circumcision is cost-saving in almost all high priority countries. Furthermore, WHO stated that: "While circumcision reduces a man’s individual lifetime HIV risk, the indirect effect of preventing further HIV transmissions to women, their babies (vertical transmission) and from women to other men has an even greater impact on the population incidence, particularly for circumcisions performed at younger ages (under age 25 years)."[6]

Newly circumcised HIV infected men who are not taking antiretroviral therapy can shed the HIV virus from the circumcision wound, thus increasing the immediate risk of HIV transmission to female partners.[2] This risk of post-operative transmission presents a challenge, although in the long-term it is possible the circumcision of HIV-infected men helps lessen heterosexual HIV transmission overall. Such viral shedding can be mitigated by the use of antiretroviral drugs.[7] Additional research is needed to ascertain the existence and potential risk of viral shedding from circumcision wounds.

### Men who have sex with men

[edit]

The WHO does not recommend circumcision as protection against male to male HIV transmission, as evidence is lacking in regards to receptive anal intercourse. The WHO also states that MSM should not be excluded from circumcision services in countries in eastern and southern Africa, and that circumcision may be effective at limiting the spread of HIV for MSM if they also engage in vaginal sex with women.[2]

### Regional differences

[edit]

Whether circumcision is beneficial to developed countries for HIV prevention purposes is undetermined.[2][4] It is not known whether the effect of male circumcision differs by HIV-1 variant. The predominant subtype of HIV-1 in the United States is subtype B, and in Africa, the predominant subtypes are A, C, and D.[8]

## Recommendations

[edit]

The most recent WHO review of the evidence reiterates prior estimates of the impact of male circumcision on HIV incidence rates. In 2020, WHO again concluded that male circumcision is an efficacious intervention for HIV prevention and that the promotion of male circumcision is an essential strategy, in addition to other preventive measures, for the prevention of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men. Eastern and southern Africa had a particularly low prevalence of circumcised males. This region has a disproportionately high HIV infection rate, with a significant number of those infections stemming from heterosexual transmission. The WHO has made voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) a priority intervention in that region since their 2007 recommendations.[2]

> Although these results confirm that male circumcision reduces the risk of men becoming infected with HIV, the UN agencies emphasize that it does not provide complete protection against HIV infection. Circumcised men can still become infected with the virus and, if HIV-positive, can infect their sexual partners. Male circumcision should never replace other known effective prevention methods and should always be considered as part of a comprehensive prevention package, which includes correct and consistent use of male or female condoms, reduction in the number of sexual partners, delaying the onset of sexual relations, and HIV testing, counseling, and treatment.

— World Health Organization, Joint WHO/UNAIDS Statement made in 2007.[9]

In the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) led a 2012 task force which included the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The task force concluded that circumcision may be helpful for the prevention of HIV in the United States.[10] The CDC 2018 position on circumcision and HIV recommended that circumcision should continue to be offered to parents who are informed of the benefits and risks, including a potential reduction in risk of HIV transmission. The position asserts that circumcision conducted after sexual debut can result in missed opportunities for HIV prevention.[3]

Because the evidence that circumcision prevents HIV mainly comes from studies conducted in Africa, the Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) questioned the applicability of those studies to developed countries. Circumcision has not been included in their HIV prevention recommendations. The KNMG circumcision policy statement was endorsed by several Dutch medical associations. The policy statement was initially released in 2010, but was reviewed again and accepted in 2022.[11]

## Mechanism of action

[edit]

While the biological mechanism of action is not known, a 2020 meta-analysis stated "the consistent protective effect suggests that the reasons for the heterogeneity lie in concomitant individual social and medical factors, such as presence of STIs, rather than a different biological impact of circumcision."[5]

The inner foreskin harbours an increased density of CD4 T-cells and releases increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Hence the sub-preputial space displays a pro-inflammatory environment, conducive to HIV infection.[12]

Langerhans cells (part of the human immune system) under the foreskin may be a source of entry for HIV.[13] Excising the foreskin removes what is thought to be a main entry point for the HIV virus.[14]

## Advocacy campaigns

[edit]

Sociologist Sarah Rudrum and colleagues have written that the communication of VMMC in Uganda is unethical. In their analysis of “Stand Proud, Get Circumcised”, a public health campaign promoting circumcision as an HIV-prevention strategy in Uganda, they said the campaign's materials “exploit male anxieties about appearance and performance, drawing on hegemonic masculinity to promote circumcision as an idealized body aesthetic”.[15]

## History

[edit]

Map showing prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Africa based on 1999–2001 figures

Valiere Alcena, in a 1986 letter to the New York State Journal of Medicine, noted that low rates of circumcision in parts of Africa had been linked to the high rate of HIV infection.[16][17] Aaron J. Fink several months later also proposed that circumcision could have a preventive role when the New England Journal of Medicine published his letter, "A possible explanation for heterosexual male infection with AIDS," in October, 1986.[18] By 2000, over 40 epidemiological studies had been conducted to investigate the relationship between circumcision and HIV infection.[19] A meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine examined 27 studies of circumcision and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa and concluded that these showed circumcision to be "associated with a significantly reduced risk of HIV infection" that could form part of a useful public health strategy.[20] A 2005 review of 37 observational studies expressed reservations about the conclusion because of possible confounding factors, since all studies to date had been observational as opposed to randomized controlled trials. The authors stated that three randomized controlled trials then underway in Africa would provide "essential evidence" about the effects of circumcision on preventing HIV.[21]

Experimental evidence was needed to establish a causal relationship, so three randomized controlled trials (RCT) were commissioned as a means to reduce the effect of any confounding factors. Trials took place in South Africa, Kenya and Uganda.[22] All three trials were stopped early by their monitoring boards because those in the circumcised group had a substantially lower rate of HIV incidence than the control group, and hence it was seen as unethical to withhold the procedure, in light of strong evidence of efficacy.[22] In 2009, a Cochrane review which included the results of the three randomized controlled trials found "strong" evidence that the acquisition of HIV by a man during sex with a woman was decreased by 54% (95% confidence interval, 38% to 66%) over 24 months if the man was circumcised. The review also found a low incidence of adverse effects from circumcision in the trials reviewed.[23] WHO assessed the trials as "gold standard" studies and found "strong and consistent" evidence from later studies that confirmed the results.[2] In 2020, a review including post-study follow up from the three randomized controlled trials, as well as newer observational studies, found a 59% relative reduction in HIV incidence, and 1.31% absolute decrease across the three randomized controlled trials, as well as continued protection for up to 6 years after the studies began.[24]

## Society and culture

[edit]

Actor Melusi Yeni became the 1 millionth VMMC against HIV/AIDS transmission in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 2018.[25]

The WHO recommends VMMC, as opposed to traditional circumcision. There is some evidence that traditionally circumcised men (i.e. who have been circumcised by a person who is not medically trained) use condoms less often and have higher numbers of sexual partners, increasing their risk of contracting HIV.[2]: 3/42 Newly circumcised men must refrain from sexual activity until the wounds are fully healed.[2]

The prevalence of circumcision varies across Africa.[26][27] Studies were conducted to assess the acceptability of promoting circumcision; in 2007, country consultations and planning to scale up male circumcision programmes took place in Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[28]

### Programs

[edit]

In 2011, UNAIDS prioritized 15 high HIV prevalence countries in eastern and southern Africa, with a goal of circumcising 80% of men (20.8 million) by the end of 2016.[29] As of 2020, WHO estimated that 250,000 HIV infections have been averted by the 23 million circumcisions conducted in the 15 priority countries of eastern and southern Africa.[2]

### Misinformation about VMMC programs

[edit]

Main article: False or misleading statements by Donald Trump

The neutrality of this section is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (June 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

This article contains close paraphrasing of a copyrighted source, https://www.cgdev.org/blog/brief-look-president-trumps-list-appalling-aid-projects (Copyvios report). Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help Wikipedia by rewriting this article in your own words. (June 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Misinformation about circumcision has been spread by United States President Donald Trump, many members of the Republican Party, and other Western right-wing populists and national conservatives, who have falsely alleged that it is ineffective in reducing HIV transmission, portrayed it as a threat to masculinity, or an ineffective use of the dollars of taxpayers.[failed verification] The scientific consensus positions of major medical organizations, including that of the World Health Organization, is that circumcision is one of the most effective methods of preventing HIV transmission in high-risk locations.[2][30][31][32][33][34] In the 2025 speech to a joint session of Congress, President Trump falsely[improper synthesis?] cited a circumcision grant to Mozambique as a supposed example of government waste.[33] It also marked the first time circumcision has ever been mentioned or criticized in a State of the Union or speech to a joint session of Congress.[35] Reaching targeted male circumcision rates in Mozambique would have prevented 220,000 HIV infections 2011–2025.[33]

## See also

[edit]

* Human sexuality portal

* Reproductive health
* Female Circumcision
* Prevalence of circumcision
* Circumcision controversies

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Merson, Michael; Inrig, Stephen (2017). The AIDS Pandemic: Searching for a Global Response. Springer Publishing. p. 379\. ISBN 9783319471334. "This led to a [medical] consensus that male circumcision should be a priority for HIV prevention in countries and regions with heterosexual epidemics and high HIV and low male circumcision prevalence."
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Preventing HIV Through Safe Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision For Adolescent Boys And Men In Generalized HIV Epidemics". World Health Organization. 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
3. ^ a b Information for providers counseling male patients and parents regarding male circumcision and the prevention of HIV infection, STIs, and other health outcomes (Report). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 22, 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
4. ^ a b Kim HH, Li PS, Goldstein M (November 2010). "Male circumcision: Africa and beyond?". Curr Opin Urol. 20 (6): 515–9\. doi:10.1097/MOU.0b013e32833f1b21. PMID 20844437. S2CID 2158164.
5. ^ a b Farley TM, Samuelson J, Grabowski MK, Ameyan W, Gray RH, Baggaley R (June 2020). "Impact of male circumcision on risk of HIV infection in men in a changing epidemic context - systematic review and meta-analysis". J Int AIDS Soc (Review). 23 (6): e25490. doi:10.1002/jia2.25490. PMC 7303540. PMID 32558344.
6. ^ "Models To Inform Fast Tracking Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision In HIV Combination Prevention" (PDF). World Health Organization. March 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
7. ^ Tobian AA, Adamu T, Reed JB, Kiggundu V, Yazdi Y, Njeuhmeli E (December 2015). "Voluntary medical male circumcision in resource-constrained settings". Nat Rev Urol (Review). 12 (12): 661–70\. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2015.253. PMID 26526758. S2CID 10432723.
8. ^ Olapade-Olaopa, Emiola Oluwabunmi; Salami, Mudasiru Adebayo; Lawal, Taiwo Akeem (2019). "Male circumcision and global HIV/AIDS epidemic challenges". African Journal of Urology. 25 3\. doi:10.1186/s12301-019-0005-2. S2CID 208085886.
9. ^ "WHO and UNAIDS Secretariat welcome corroborating findings of trials assessing impact of male circumcision on HIV risk" (Press release). World Health Organization. February 23, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-02-26. Retrieved 2007-02-23.
10. ^ American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision (2012). "Technical Report". Pediatrics. 130 (3): e756 – e785. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-1990. ISSN 0031-4005. PMID 22926175.
11. ^ "Non-therapeutic circumcision of male minors KNMG viewpoint". 31 March 2022.
12. ^ Prodger, Jessica L. (September 2017). "The biology of how circumcision reduces HIV susceptibility: broader implications for the prevention field". AIDS Research and Therapy. 14 (1) 49. doi:10.1186/s12981-017-0167-6. PMC 5594533. PMID 28893286.
13. ^ Weiss HA, Dickson KE, Agot K, Hankins CA (October 2010). "Male circumcision for HIV prevention: current research and programmatic issues". AIDS (Randomized controlled trial). 24 (Suppl 4): S61-9. doi:10.1097/01.aids.0000390708.66136.f4. PMC 4233247. PMID 21042054.
14. ^ Szabo R, Short RV (June 2000). "How does male circumcision protect against HIV infection?". BMJ (Review). 320 (7249): 1592–4\. doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7249.1592. PMC 1127372. PMID 10845974.
15. ^ Rudrum, Sarah; Oliffe, John L.; Benoit, Cecilia (2017). "Discourses of masculinity, femininity and sexuality in Uganda's Stand Proud, Get Circumcised campaign". Culture, Health & Sexuality. 19 (2): 225–239\. doi:10.1080/13691058.2016.1214748. PMID 27684495.
16. ^ Alcena V (19 October 2006). "AIDS in Third World countries". PLOS Medicine (Comment). 86 (8): 446. PMID 3463895. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
17. ^ Alcena V (August 1986). "AIDS in Third World countries". New York State Journal of Medicine (Letter). 86 (8): 446. PMID 3463895. Archived from the original on 2014-01-10. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
18. ^ Fink AJ (October 1986). "A possible explanation for heterosexual male infection with AIDS". The New England Journal of Medicine (Letter). 315 (18): 1167. doi:10.1056/nejm198610303151818. PMID 3762636.
19. ^ Szabo R, Short RV (June 2000). "How does male circumcision protect against HIV infection?". BMJ (Review). 320 (7249): 1592–4\. doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7249.1592. PMC 1127372. PMID 10845974.
20. ^ Weiss HA, Quigley MA, Hayes RJ (October 2000). "Male circumcision and risk of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis". AIDS (Meta-analysis). 14 (15): 2361–70\. doi:10.1097/00002030-200010200-00018. PMID 11089625. S2CID 21857086. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-01-10.
21. ^ Siegfried N, Muller M, Deeks J, Volmink J, Egger M, Low N, et al. (March 2005). "HIV and male circumcision--a systematic review with assessment of the quality of studies". The Lancet. Infectious Diseases (Review). 5 (3): 165–73\. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(05)01309-5. PMID 15766651.
22. ^ a b Siegfried N, Muller M, Deeks JJ, Volmink J (April 2009). Siegfried N (ed.). "Male circumcision for prevention of heterosexual acquisition of HIV in men". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013 (2): CD003362. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003362.pub2. PMC 11666075. PMID 19370585.
23. ^ Siegfried, Nandi; Muller, Martie; Deeks, Jonathan J; Volmink, Jimmy (15 April 2009). "Male circumcision for prevention of heterosexual acquisition of HIV in men". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013 (2): CD003362. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003362.pub2. PMC 11666075. PMID 19370585.
24. ^ Farley, Timothy MM; Samuelson, Julia; Grabowski, M Kate; Ameyan, Wole; Gray, Ronald H; Baggaley, Rachel (June 2020). "Impact of male circumcision on risk of HIV infection in men in a changing epidemic context – systematic review and meta-analysis". Journal of the International AIDS Society. 23 (6): e25490. doi:10.1002/jia2.25490. PMC 7303540. PMID 32558344.
25. ^ Seeth, Avantika (June 1, 2018). "'It's hassle-free,' says actor Melusi Yeni about his medical circumcision". News24. Retrieved September 6, 2022. "Actor Melusi Yeni was the millionth man to undergo voluntary male medical circumcision at the Sivananda Clinic in KwaZulu-Natal."
26. ^ Marck J (1997). "Aspects of male circumcision in sub-equatorial African culture history" (PDF). Health Transition Review (Review). 7 Suppl (Suppl): 337–60\. PMID 10173099. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
27. ^ "Male circumcision: global trends and determinants of prevalence, safety and acceptability" (PDF). Who/Unaids. 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
28. ^ "Towards Universal access: Scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector" (PDF). Who/Unaids/Unicef: 75. 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
29. ^ Joint strategic action framework to accelerate the scale-up of voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention in Eastern and Southern Africa, 2012-2016. Archived 2017-07-29 at the Wayback Machine WHO. 2014.
30. ^ Uribe, Grace Abels, Maria Ramirez. "The facts behind the 19 programs Trump described as 'waste'". @politifact. Retrieved 2025-05-22.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
31. ^ Roldan, Bec (2025-03-06). "Trump says 'male circumcision in Mozambique' is a 'scam.' What's the program about?". NPR. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
32. ^ Bendana, Christopher (2025-05-20). "Trump's cuts to international aid are stifling Africa's HIV research". Nature. doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01424-1. ISSN 1476-4687. PMID 40394388.
33. ^ a b c Kenney, Charles (2025-03-06). "A Brief Look at President Trump's List of "Appalling" Aid Projects". Center For Global Development. Retrieved 2025-05-22. "This is potentially referring to a grant to an organization in the country. It is worth noting how powerful a tool male circumcision is in the fight against AIDS. Reaching targeted male circumcision rates in Mozambique would have prevented 220,000 HIV infections 2011–2025."
34. ^ N. P. R. Staff (2025-03-04). "Read NPR's annotated fact check of President Trump's address to Congress". NPR. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
35. ^ Keating, Dan; Mourtoupalas, Nick; Dormido, Hannah (2025-03-05). "You've never heard that in a presidential address to Congress before". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-05-22.

* v
* t
* e

Circumcision

Medical aspects|

* HIV
* Surgical procedure
* Foreskin restoration

History and prevalence|

* History
* Prevalence
* Perspectives

Religious aspects|

* Religious male circumcision
* Early Christianity
* Judaism
* Islam
* Jesus

Ethical and legal aspects|

* Controversies
* Ethics
* Forced
* Law

Category|

* Circumcision

* v
* t
* e

HIV/AIDS topics

HIV|

* HIV
* Lentivirus
* structure and genome
* subtypes
* CDC classification
* disease progression rates
* HIV Drug Resistance Database
* National Addiction and HIV Data Archive Program
* HIV/AIDS
* diagnosis
* management
* pathophysiology
* prevention
* research
* signs and symptoms
* vaccination
* PrEP
* WHO disease staging system for HIV infection and disease
* children
* teens/adults
* Countries by HIV prevalence rate

Conditions|

* AIDS-defining clinical condition
* Cardiomyopathy
* Diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome
* Innate resistance
* Lipodystrophy
* Nephropathy
* Neurocognitive disorders
* Nutrition
* Opportunistic infection
* Kaposi's sarcoma
* Pneumocystis pneumonia
* toxoplasmosis
* tuberculosis
* Pregnancy
* Pruritus
* Serostatus
* Superinfection

History|

* Discredited origins theories
* Epidemiology
* multiple sex partners
* Notable patients
* Berlin Patient
* Timothy Ray Brown
* City of Hope Patient
* Gaëtan Dugas
* London Patient
* Ryan White
* Timeline
* World AIDS Museum

Social|

* Activism
* ACT UP
* Gay Men's Health Crisis
* AIDS orphan
* Circumcision
* Criminal transmission
* Denialism
* Discrimination against people
* Economic impact
* cost of treatment
* HIV-affected community
* HIV-positive people
* men who have sex with men
* women
* HIV.gov
* People With AIDS
* In the porn industry
* Product Red
* Red ribbon
* Religion
* Catholic Church
* Safe sex
* Sex education
* Undetectable = Untransmittable

Culture|

* AIDS Memorial Quilt
* Ayds
* Day Without Art
* European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership
* Elton John AIDS Foundation
* The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert
* "Free Me"
* The Global Fund
* International AIDS Conference
* International AIDS Society
* Larry Kramer
* Reports from the Holocaust
* AIDS–Holocaust metaphor
* Media portrayal
* Misconceptions
* President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
* Silence=Death Project
* film
* The SING Campaign
* Solidays
* Treatment Action Campaign
* UNAIDS
* World AIDS Day
* YAA/Youthforce

Locations|

| Africa|

* Angola
* Benin
* Botswana
* Democratic Republic of the Congo
* Egypt
* Eswatini
* Ethiopia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mali
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Rwanda
* Senegal
* Tanzania
* South Africa
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

|

Asia|

* Afghanistan
* Armenia
* Azerbaijan
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Cambodia
* China (PRC)
* Yunnan
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Japan
* Jordan
* North Korea
* Laos
* Malaysia
* Myanmar (Burma)
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Saudi Arabia
* Sri Lanka
* Taiwan
* Thailand
* Timor-Leste
* United Arab Emirates
* Turkey
* Vietnam

Europe|

* Russia
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom

North America|

* Canada
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Mexico
* Nicaragua
* United States
* New York City

Caribbean|

* Dominican Republic
* Haiti
* Jamaica

South America|

* Argentina
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Colombia
* Guyana
* Peru
* Uruguay

Oceania|

* Australia
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea

* List of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths registered by region
* List of HIV-positive people

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template