The idea of circumcision reducing risk for HIV is based on the fact that HIV can get through a mucosal membrane under the foreskin. Removing the foreskin removes the doorway that HIV can use to infect the body’s immune system.

Researchers tried to find out if this was the case in real life with men who had circumcisions that removed their entire foreskin. They found there was some protection for men having sex with HIV-positive women. However, a study that looked at men who have sex with other men showed no protection from HIV when a man had a circumcision.

We’re not sure if this has something to do with circumcision not being effective in protecting against HIV through anal sex. None of the studies involving men and women were able to tell if anal sex was a factor in the effectiveness of circumcision.

The cost of circumcision is not covered by Ontario’s health care system.

Click Here to read on circumcision and its potential impact on the spread of HIV among gay and bisexual men

Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention

The Body, The Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Resource