Male circumcision is a practice that has been carried out across societies of the world for thousands of years. Recent scientific and epidemiological research provides evidence of protective effects against penile foreskin-related disorders, urinary tract and sexually transmitted infections, penile and cervical cancer, and HIV. This entry provides a comprehensive overview of male circumcision's prophylactic role as a low-risk, low-cost procedure with significant potentially longterm benefits to the individual and society.

Male circumcision is the removal of the foreskin (prepuce) from around the head (glans) of the penis. The amount of skin removed varies drastically by individual due to different foreskin sizes. A short prepuce does not completely cover the glans and exposes the tip of the head even when flaccid, whereas a long prepuce is ...

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