Male circumcision is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin (prepuce) from the penis.
The circumcision is widely practiced for religious reasons for baby boys a few days after birth. However, some parents choose to have their boys circumcised for other reasons having nothing to do with religion, but more to do with esthetics or hygiene.
Some men do make the personal choice to undergo this procedure in adulthood.
The main function of the foreskin (the part that is removed) is to protect the tip of the penis (glans). The foreskin is also a natural lubricant as it glides over the glans, allowing for heightened sensitivity. The foreskin also contains nerve endings that produce pleasurable sensations.
If the foreskin has such great purpose, why do some men elect to have it removed?
Studies seem to swing back and forth regarding a correlation between early urinary-tract infections and circumcision. They are similarly inconclusive about the foreskin being more susceptible to STDs.
Some adult males however, develop a condition called phimosis, where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted over the glans, causing difficulties with urination or erections. One of the treatment options is circumcision.
Some men may have heard that circumcised men take longer to ejaculate (although I think this has not been studied enough to be conclusive) and may opt for this “treatment”.
Other men may think an uncircumcised penis looks nicer.
Whether you choose circumcision or whether you have to do it to treat a medical issue, you need to be aware of some of the potential risks.
Such risks include pain, risk of infection (as with any surgical procedure) and decreased sensation in the tip of the penis. Other more serious risks include damage to the glans or potential scarring.
There is a movement, started by men, for foreskin restoration. This involves somehow recreating the foreskin of circumcised men. Unfortunately, you can never recover the actual complete foreskin that was removed.
There are several ways that men are doing this. A non-surgical restoration is done by expanding the tissue, slowly over time (this can take a number of years to accomplish the desired results). This is a way to create new tissue. With this method, the skin that remains on the penis is pulled forward over the glans and tension is created using a number of possible devices such as weights or elastic bands. Be aware that there is always a risk of damaging the tissues from the use of excessive tension or applying tension for too long.
For those men that have very little extra tissue, they may opt for artificial coverings like a prosthetic foreskin made of latex that covers the glans.
There is also a surgical option available, known as foreskin reconstruction. This involves grafting skin onto the penile shaft. The skin used is typically taken from the scrotum, as it is skin that resembles the skin of the penis. Unfortunately, such a technique is expensive and there is no guarantee of satisfaction along with the potential of complications.
How do women factor into this? Does it change the way it feels for them?
The main difference for women in having sex with an uncircumcised penis is that the foreskin acts as a natural lubricator, and it stays in place while the glans and shaft continue to move in and out. This leads to less friction in the vagina and thus a more pleasurable experience for the female.
Clearly, the choice to get circumcised is a personal one, and the benefits and disadvantages are pretty much equal. Before you go ahead with circumcision, weigh the pros and cons, and talk to your doctor.