CDC Recommendations: Circumcision for HIV Prevention for Adults, Adolescents, and Children

by Alex Shteynshlyuger MD


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Circumcision and HIV

The recent recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control based on studies of HIV transmission and HPV transmission in males over the past 10-15 years advises that men at high risk for HIV should consider having adult circumcision in order to decrease the risk.

What Is Behind This Story?

Scientific studies performed mostly in Africa demonstrated that adult circumcision can decrease the chances of HIV in adult men by anywhere from 30-50%. Circumcision can also decrease the risk of HPV transmission.

Benefits Of Circumcision: Social Good Versus Private Benefit

Certainly, a treatment that can decrease the risk of infection by 50% is great. However, when it comes to infections especially when the risk is small as it is in the United States with less than 1-2% lifetime risk of HIV infection for an average American male, decreasing the chances of HIV transmission from 1% to half percent is not substantial for an individual man. However, it is a tremendous benefit for society as a whole from the public health perspective.

Adult CircumcisionCertainly, for men who are at high risk for HIV (multiple sexual partners, gay men, etc), adult circumcision can also be of benefit. The major problem I see with using circumcision as a prevention for a potentially lethal disease is that the benefit is not substantial enough for it to be used as a safety mechanism, like a condom.

Will circumcised men be falsely reassured and take greater risks?  There is no evidence that sexual behavior is significantly altered by interventions such as circumcision.

In addition, men at the highest risk for HIV in the United States are gay men and men who have sex with sex workers. We do not have sufficient scientific evidence to say that gay men benefit from circumcision as much as heterosexual males do.

The method of transmission is somewhat different between homosexual and heterosexual men.  With heterosexual men, the transmission is via vaginal contact; in homosexual men, it is through rectal contact. The rectal wall and the vaginal wall are different structures with different characteristics.  It is quite possible (and even likely) that part of the increased risk for HIV in gay men is due to the higher risk of HIV transmission from each contract due to the intrinsic characteristics of rectal mucosa.  Further studies would be needed to clarify this possibility.

Where to Get Adult Circumcision in NYC?

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer same-day circumcision treatment for men

Call/text today: 1-646-663-5545 or make an appointment online.  

We perform cosmetic circumcision, circumcision revision, penile frenuloplasty, and offer treatment for phimosis, balanitis, penile irritation, and redness. We treat sexual and erection problems and offer comprehensive STD testing for infections. We offer confidential appointments. Our prices are affordable with or without insurance. 

CDC Recommendations: Who Benefits, Who Pays.

There is no argument that when it comes to the risk of HIV and HPV transmission, circumcision can lower the risks of these diseases. Circumcision also lowers the risk of herpes.  The question is really “who benefits from that the most?”

In this particular situation for men at average risk in the United States, the social benefit of circumcision appears to be greater than the possible individual benefit.  This conclusion is different in different countries and in certain sub-populations where the risks of HIV are much greater.

Why do men ask for Adult circumcision in the United States?

Fewer American newborn males are circumcised today than 50 years ago.  The evidence for the medical benefit of circumcision has been accumulating slowly over the past 10-20 years. The reason the circumcision rate is down is due to social and cultural dynamics.

Luckily for the CDC, that social dynamics is undergoing a change. More men are interested in adult circumcision for aesthetic reasons.

With an increase in the popularity of oral sex, more men are requesting circumcision because their partners want them to be circumcised. Increased interest in the cosmetic appearance of male genitals parallels the trend in increased interest in the cosmetic appearance of female genitals, manifested by waxing, piercing and other appearance enhancing procedures.

Similarly, cosmetic adult male circumcision is a sign of times. Certainly, the benefits of adult circumcision advertised by the CDC will increase interest among men in cosmetic circumcision. However few men will choose to have circumcision with HIV prevention as the sole reason unless the rate of HIV in the United States becomes significantly higher.

What You Need to Know:

Why Choose New York Urology Specialists for Circumcision and Treatment of Penile Problems?

  • All treatment is performed by a board-certified urologist experienced in cosmetic circumcision, circumcision revision, and penile frenuloplasty. We treat men with phimosis, balanitis, BXO, penile skin bridges, and other penile problems such as symptoms of pain, irritation, and cuts on the penis, foreskin problems, and genital warts.
  • We are one of the few practices in the region to offer a full range of options for the treatment of sexual and erection problems in men.
  • We offer diagnostic testing in our office which avoids hospital costs.
  • Extensive Experience: Thousands of men have treated successfully using medical therapy, surgery including circumcision, circumcision revision, penile frenuloplasty, ShangRing Circumcision, as well as complex penile surgery including penile plication for Peyronie’s disease, and penile implant surgery for ED.

What do Before and After Circumcision Pictures Look Like?

You can find pictures of circumcision as well as before and after treatment images in our image gallery.

Scheduling Appointments for Circumcision at New York Urology Specialists


If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-5545.

We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners.  Information for out-of-state and international patients. Find out our office hours or directions to our office.

We offer affordable prices with or without insurance


Circumcision With Fast Recovery at New York Urology Specialists

Excellence-Urology_Care-banner2At New York Urology Specialists, our urologists are specially trained in the evaluation and treatment of sexual problems in men.  We understand the challenges that penile problems such as pain in the penis, cuts on the foreskin, irritation, and curvature create for our patients, their relationships, and their self-esteem.  We help you find a treatment for penile problems including appearance concerns, foreskin problems, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction that fit your needs, lifestyle, and your preferences.

Urologists are doctors specializing in the treatment of men with sexual problems that include penis problems, scrotal problems, and erectile dysfunction. By the virtue of our experience and skill, we are able to offer an effective treatment option for nearly every man who desires an effective treatment for any problem that affects the penis.  We offer medical and surgical treatment for men’s sexual problems.

We Treat Some of the Most Complex Penis and Foreskin Problems Including:

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Shteynshlyuger:

Call/text today: 1-646-663-5211 or make an appointment online

Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a fellowship-trained board-certified urologist with expertise in the evaluation and treatment of sexual and erection problems in men using modern effective and proven treatment methods.  We offer circumcision, circumcision revision, penile frenuloplasty, penoscrotal web repair, testicular implants, inflatable penile implant, shockwave therapy for ED, and treatment for Peyronie’s disease.

He is highly recommended by top primary care physicians in the New York area. If you or someone you know has been experiencing urological symptoms, make an appointment to take advantage of Dr. Shteynshlyuger’s expert advice. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.


If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-5545.

We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners.  Information for out-of-state and international patients. Find out our office hours or directions to our office.

We offer affordable prices with or without insurance

This post is also available in: English العربية (Arabic)

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