Circumcision and uncircumcision compared
All males are either circumcised or uncircumcised and some may wonder: what’s the difference? Here is the definitive comparison of the pros and cons of the circumcised penis and its uncircumcised counterpart, based on my research into the subject over years. Hopefully this candid viewpoint will be of interest to both circumcised and uncircumcised males and their female partners.
1. Protection. In the uncircumcised penis, the glans is normally covered by the foreskin, providing protection for the glans which emerges only when sexually aroused. This contrasts with the circumcised penis, in which the foreskin is absent and the glans is permanently exposed. Direct physical contact of the uncircumcised glans with anything other than the moist folds of the inner foreskin (or other mucosal tissue like the vagina) is uncomfortable and irritating. In contrast, the circumcised glans is in routine contact with underwear. Although the glans is unprotected in circumcised males, wearing snug underwear made of soft, non-abrasive fabric helps reduce most unwanted friction and chafing of the glans. For circumcised baby boys, carefully applying a layer of petroleum jelly such as Vaseline on the glans at each diaper change during the first year helps protect the glans from irritation and prevents the glans from sticking to the baby’s diaper.
2. Sensitivity and sexual response. Circumcision changes sexual functioning , sensation, and response. Circumcision leads to keratanization of the glans which reduces sensitivity by about 40% to 50%. But considering the extreme sensitivity of the uncircumcised glans, even a 50% reduction still leaves the male with sufficient, though diminished, sensation. Circumcised males generally need more time and require more intense stimulation to reach orgasm, which many see as a benefit for prolonging intercourse and enhancing sexual pleasure for the female.
3. Penetration. An uncircumcised penis uses the foreskin to stimulate itself during penetrative sex. By contrast, because the circumcised glans and corona are exposed during both the inward thrust and withdrawal, stimulation and pleasure is achieved from the friction of the inside walls of the vagina or rectum. This leads to longer and more vigorous thrusts, because the penis seeks the pleasurable stimulation of the inner walls and the tight ring of the vaginal or anal opening. Anal penetration is more pleasurable for circumcised guys than for uncircumcised ones because the walls of the rectum are corrugated and the anus has a tight opening, all of which brings pleasure to the circumcised penis. In short, circumcision improves penetrative sex because the penis’ most sensitive part, the glans, has more intimate contact with the vagina or anus.
4. Oral sex. Oral sex for uncircumcised guys means the “giver” can slide the foreskin up and down the glans while she holds the penis in her mouth. She can also cover the glans with the foreskin and insert her tongue inside the foreskin cavity. In contrast, circumcised oral sex involves more actual sucking. A tongue or fingernail caressing the circumference of the circumcision scar and/or the underside (frenulum area) is sometimes enough to bring the guy over the edge. Because circumcision improves hygiene, circumcised males are more likely to get oral sex than those who are uncircumcised.
5. Masturbation. Circumcised guys use a different technique for masturbation than uncircumcised guys. Uncut guys typically move the foreskin up and down to stimulate the glans, without ever actually touching the glans directly with the hand. In contrast, while circumcised guys may be able to move some shaft skin, there’s usually not enough skin to go over the glans. A tightly cut penis may have little or no slack shaft skin. For a tightly circumcised male to reach orgasm, he needs to apply direct pressure to the glans by either squeezing the glans or sliding the hand up and down over the glans and shaft. Another variation for circumcised males is to encircle the corona with the fingers and rapidly tug upwards to exert pressure against the rim. Guys with circumcised penises are more likely to use lube, which allows them to more easily glide their hand up and down the full length of the penis.
6. Post orgasm. After orgasm the glans is particularly tender. In uncircumcised guys, as the penis softens the foreskin slides forward to protect the glans, where it stays until the next sexual encounter or is pulled back by hand for urination. However, the glans of a circumcised penis remains exposed even when the penis is flaccid.
7. Urination. It’s important to remember that in uncircumcised babies and young boys the foreskin is fused to the glans and is not retractable. Because of this, when young boys urinate they cannot accurately direct the stream of urine, resulting in splatter and messy mishaps. This unfortunate situation is remedied by circumcision. For males of any age, circumcision prevents retention of urine on the penis and parents of circumcised baby boys often report it is easier to keep their child’s penis clean.
8. Pain. Parents of newborns and adult men alike worry that circumcision will be painful. Circumcision involves tearing the adhesions that attach the foreskin to the glans, clamping the foreskin, and excising it. Circumcision is indeed painful. While adult circumcisions are typically done under general anesthesia, newborn circumcision uses only local anesthetic or if the procedure is done at birth, no pain relief is given. The advantage of infant circumcision is that the baby will not remember the pain, though adults have the advantage of greater pain relief. Either way, both infants and older males generally tolerate circumcision well and have only mild to moderate discomfort during the healing period. Surgical complications are rare, especially if a clamp such as the Gomco is used to protect the glans from possible damage or amputation.
9. Hygiene. Circumcision externalizes a pocket of mucosal tissue, thereby drying it out and preventing the accumulation of urine, secretions, and bacteria. Many men and women prefer the improved cleanliness of the circumcised penis which may make spontaneous sex more appealing. Critics argue boys should be taught to clean their penis, though the reality is that women frequently report poor hygiene in their uncircumcised partners.
10. Ethics: The question of the ethics surrounding circumcision usually centers around whether the pain of the procedure justifies its medical and health benefits. As for consent, since a newborn cannot provide it, the parents give consent just as they would for any medical intervention for their child. Studies show circumcision is the equivalent of a surgical vaccine and parents who circumcise simply want what’s best for their child’s health and happiness. Phimosis – the inability to retract the foreskin — is a very prevalent health issue for uncircumcised males and is remedied only by circumcision. Therefore the pain of circumcision is justified because of the long-term medical and hygiene benefits. However, some skeptics question the actual health benefits and suggest it has a negative effect on sexual function and response. Ultimately it boils down to a personal decision by the child’s parents in consultation with their physician. The American Academy of Pediatrics, along with most pediatricians and other related specialists, support routine circumcision of all baby boys.
11. Timing. Most circumcisions are performed on newborn male infants. If performed later, some argue the mother-infant bond is broken by the pain of the intervention. Others, however, argue the circumcision should be delayed until later years, though in reality few uncircumcised adult males opt for an elective circumcision.
12. Appearance. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Many people like the look of the permanently exposed circumcised glans, and are put off by the appearance of foreskin. For others, uncircumcision looks more natural and they are intrigued by the “mystery” of the hidden glans that lies beneath its protective covering. Every penis is different, and so no two circumcisions are exactly alike. The appearance depends on the method (clamping device) that was used, the amount of foreskin and shaft skin that was removed (which affects tightness of the circumcision), whether the frenulum was removed, and the ability of the doctor to achieve a symmetrical result. All circumcised penises have a circumferential scar where the foreskin was excised, though the location of the scar can vary depending on the tightness of the circumcision. In some males the scar can be ragged (if the cut is uneven or if it healed improperly) or discolored (if the Gomco clamp or other crushing device was used for the circumcision.)
So what is my personal preference? I believe that all males should be circumcised at birth. While there are some negative effects of circumcision, the health, hygiene, sexual, and cosmetic benefits far outweigh the risks and drawbacks. Infancy is the best time for circumcision for many reasons, but primarily because the baby will not remember the pain and the male will have no memory of being uncircumcised. Most circumcised males are happy with their circumcisions, and their partners are likely to prefer the circumcised penis.
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