But some of the stigma around prepuce can be vanquished by learning the facts about the sheath. The following may help uncut men improve their body image.

Worldwide Majority

Part of the reason that prepuce is of particular concern for American men is that surgical removal is common in this country. Therefore, uncut men form a minority. However, worldwide, only about one-third of men are cut. Taking a global perspective, then, uncut men actually form a notable majority.

Decline of Procedures in U.S.

Surgical removal is not as popular as it used to be in the U.S.; according to a report by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), a branch of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the surgical removal rate for baby boys fell from 64.5% in 1979 to 58.3% in 2010, meaning that, in the near future, cut men will form a narrower majority. When prepuces are more common, stigma surrounding them will likely decrease.

Rate Varies Significantly Across the U.S.

Some uncut men within the U.S. are actually in the majority, at least regionally. In the western states, only about 40% of boys are cut. The rates is highest in the Midwest, right around 70%.

Unclear Medical Benefits

Over the past several decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has taken a few different positions, none of which clearly endorse surgical removal. In the 1970’s, the AAP stated there was no medical indication for the procedure; in ’89, it recognized that there are potential medical benefits to the surgery, and since has stated that, though there may be benefits, there is not sufficient evidence to support surgical removal on newborns as a standard practice.

Studies in Perspective

Some men may have heard that having prepuce makes them more prone to contracting human immunodeficiency virus and male organ cancer. And there are some studies that indicate this to be true. But they need to be contextualized. The study that found prepuce to be correlated with human immunodeficiency virus infection was conducted on African men having sensual activity with women. The vast majority of infections in the U.S. take place among men engaging with men, meaning the reduced risk may not translate well for U.S. men.

Male organ cancer is extremely uncommon in the U.S., affecting fewer than 1 in 100,000 men. It is believed to be more common in uncut men because they are more likely to contract varieties of the human papilloma virus, which increases male organ cancer risk, and because they accumulate smegma, which may also be linked to risk. But practicing proper hygiene by removing smegma buildup frequently, along with practicing safe sensual activity, can mitigate these factors. Also worth noting is that being cut as an adult does not lower male organ cancer risk (some research suggests this may actually increase risk).

As prepuce becomes more the norm, uncut men may experience a newfound sense of confidence in their bodies. In the meantime, men should understand that there is nothing inherently wrong, dirty or unhealthy about their natural sheaths.

Some men do notice an odor coming from the member that they suspect has to do with prepuce and smegma, and this may be so; smegma attracts bacteria, and if it is allowed to build up, it can produce an off-putting smell. Proper hygiene is generally sufficient to take care of this. Men should avoid strong anti-bacterial soaps, which may be too harsh for the male organ. If men want an extra boost in the anti-bacterial department, they can invest in a male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) with vitamin A, a natural bacteria-fighter. In addition, this crème serves as a natural moisturizer, helping to keep the male organ skin smooth, soft and supple. Cut or not, healthy male organ skin is always something worth maintaining.

Visit http://www.menshealthfirst.com for additional information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving organ sensitivity and what to do to maintain a healthy manhood. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men’s health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous websites.

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