You've probably heard of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) "Well, what is it?" you may ask. “Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision” is a term used by the global health community to emphasize that circumcision is a personal choice. No one should be coerced to get circumcised.
Male circumcision also benefits sexually active girls and women in several ways including improving hygiene, reducing risk of STI infection and reducing the risk of cervical cancer by curbing the transmission of the Human Papilloma Virus – HPV. Evidently, men’s health is as much about women’s health when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases.
In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS announced recommendations, based on extensive studies, to scale up Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) to men in areas of high risk for heterosexual HIV transmission. The studies showed that men with a circumcised penis are approximately 70% less likely to contract HIV from heterosexual intercourse than men with an uncircumcised penis–in addition to other health and hygiene benefits. This finding, replicated in rigorous, repeated studies across several countries and has led doctors and public health professionals to recommend that men in high-risk areas have access to Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC). Recently, results from a 5-year follow up study in Uganda showed that men who chose surgical VMMC were 70% less likely to be infected with HIV than men who were not circumcised. Similar results were reported from extensive follow-up studies in Kenya and South Africa. It is critical to remember that male circumcision offers men partial protection against HIV/AIDS. A 70% reduction still leaves a man at personal risk. He and his partner must take additional steps, such as condom use, to protect themselves. Male Circumcision indirectly reduces the risk to women in the long-term, to the degree that her partner is less likely to carry the virus.
Photo credit: Jonathan Torgovnik
PrePex is the only non-surgical circumcision procedure available for men over 13. It was invented and designed specifically as a means to overcome the limitations of surgical circumcision. I am pretty sure men prefer non-surgical circumcision. Why? Because non surgical male circumcision does not involve injected anaesthesia, cutting of live tissue, bleeding, or sutures. Amazingly, the PrePex procedure takes only five minutes! It is reported to be less painful than surgical circumcision and doesn’t require time off from work or school. Medical professionals can be properly trained and certified within just three days and can competently conduct safe procedures, in any clean setting, as validated in multiple clinical studies.
Some of you might be wondering if this is real circumcision.
Research and innovations have given birth to new approaches that are simple and highly effective. I think of this device as a move from the old bulky typewriter to a sleek laptop type of medical innovation.
So, how does this Prepex device work?
The device applies controlled radial elastic pressure to the foreskin between a rigid Inner Ring and an Elastic Ring to gently stop distal blood flow. The necrotic foreskin and the device are removed after 7 days.
PrePex has been proven safe and effective for adult and adolescent men over the age of 13. In studies to date, approximately 90% of men who volunteered were eligible to undergo the procedure. Men interested in medical male circumcision should consult with a trained health care provider to determine whether PrePex is right for them.
Is this completely method painless?
No method of male circumcision is completely painless. However, men using PrePex report less pain than men who undergo surgical circumcision.
Unlike surgical circumcision, PrePex doesn’t require injected anesthesia, so the device placement is not associated with pain. Device removal is associated with brief pain when removing the Inner Ring for approximately 5 seconds. Men may experience discomfort while wearing the device. The device remains in place for 7 days. Following device removal, men should abstain from sexual activity for a period of 6 weeks even if the area appears to be completely healed.
Sounds great. But why should you choose PrePex?
It is Safe: Low rate of complications. PrePex has been extensively reviewed by the WHO, with its safety and efficacy validated in a series of comprehensive, rigorous studies. In addition, PrePex is Class II CE certified and a sterile version for adults has been cleared by the FDA.
It is Simple: For both health providers and patients. PrePex was specifically designed to be simple and easy to administer on any eligible man wanting to be circumcised. It has been extensively tested, researched, and evaluated. It is ready to use anywhere there is a demand for circumcision— from remote rural communities to fully equipped hospital settings.
As of 2016, PrePex is being used and/or researched in Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Indonesia (Papua) and India. We must appreciate the fact that we all hail from different cultures which uphold different values on male circumcision. Some regard it as a religious practice, others as a symbol of maturity and others as a no go zone, quite literally. As you continue reading this blog, you will learn about the shared reproductive health challenges and an ingenious approach to male circumcision that provides a solution to all uncircumcised men.
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Male circumcision decreases the risk of urinary tract infections in women and reduces risk of sexually transmitted diseases in men. It also protects against cancer of the penis and prevents inflammation of the glands and foreskin altogether. Fortunately, today, there is an alternative to surgical male circumcision. Surgical male circumcision has often been associated with pain and a long recovery period.
Author: Mark Gachagua
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