Association of Male Circumcision with Women’s Knowledge of Its Biomedical Effects and with Their Sexual Satisfaction and Function: A Systematic Review

Male circumcision (MC) is a key HIV prevention intervention for men in countries with high HIV prevalence. Women’s understanding of MC is important but poorly understood. We conducted a systematic review including women’s knowledge of MC’s biomedical impacts and its association with female sexual satisfaction and function through October 2017. Thirty-eight articles were identified: thirty-two with knowledge outcomes, seven with sexual satisfaction, and four with sexual function (N = 38). Respondent proportions aware MC protects men from HIV were 9.84–91.8% (median 60.0%). Proportions aware MC protects men from STIs were 14.3–100% (72.6%). Proportions aware MC partially protects men from HIV were 37.5–82% (50.7%). Proportions aware MC is not proven to protect women from infection by an HIV-positive partner were 90.0–96.8% (93.0%). No increases over time were noted. Women’s MC knowledge is variable. Education could help women support MC and make better-informed sexual decisions.