Circumcision: How Does it Affect a Man’s Sex Life?

There’s a lot of talk about circumcision. A long-time practice that has religious roots, the careful lobbing off a man’s penis tip, has recently come under much scrutiny. For the last 50 years, people have been fighting female genital mutilation in other countries like Africa, while some activists would argue, it is being ignored in the US and other developed nations when it comes to circumcision. Is it a barbaric practice, or is it something that has a basis in healthy living and healthy sexual function? Let’s look at the circumcision pros and cons to see precisely how circumcision can affect a man’s sex life.

Does circumcision have health benefits?

Circumcision has been the norm in the US for some time. Despite its spiritual origins, it’s become a secular standard procedure of sorts for boys and men because of the alleged health benefits. This argument for circumcision has been so persuasive that approximately 75 percent of men in the US are circumcised.

The health benefits doctors cite include a reduction in the instances of sexually transmitted infections like HIV and HPV, as well as a decrease in urinary tract infections, paraphimosis, balanitis, and penile cancer.

Can circumcision cause complications?

Circumcision, like any procedure, carries the risk of infection, penile necrosis, and bleeding.

Are the benefits of circumcision legit?

The medical community does agree that there is a small but meaningful reduction in the risk of getting STIs and UTIs. The majority of the medical population believes the benefits outweigh the risks in the circumcision equation. That said, circumcision is currently on the decline, both because some parents are deciding to let their sons choose when they are older, and some doctors are refusing to perform the surgery.

Is circumcision more hygienic?

This is a tricky question. It is correct that men who are cut are less likely to experience smegma and the host of infections it can cause when untreated. However, smegma, the stinky, chunky funk that can collect under the foreskin, can also affect men who’ve been circumcised.

Does being circumcised reduce sexual sensation?

Yes - the big question! Some experts argue that circumcision can indeed reduce sexual sensation since it eliminates thousands of nerve endings in the penis. Studies have shown that uncircumcised penises are more sensitive to light stimulation than their cut counterparts. The extra foreskin is also believed to create greater friction during sex and bring additional stimulation to the clitoris during intimacy. But it’s important to remember that feelings are mostly subjective.

Also, since circumcision is the more common aesthetic for a penis to rock, some men who sport turtlenecks on their Johnson experience some embarrassment or reduced self-esteem since they perceive they look "different" or "weird" by keeping their tops up.

Do women prefer circumcised penises?

While circumcision is on the decline, it is still the norm in the US. Some parents circumcise their sons so they will be more likely to "fit in" with the majority of boys. Some believe this norm leads women to prefer a cut schlong over one that still has foreskin. At the end of the day, how a woman feels about the man is how she feels about the penis. So, in short, don’t sweat it.

Penis Care

No matter what a man’s foreskin looks like, penis care is universally important. Using protection when intimate is a big part of keeping a penis healthy. Also, a man should be sure to urinate after sex to flush the urethra and evacuate any bacteria that are trying to take up residence.

Daily hygiene is also critical for penis health. Gently, but thoroughly wash the penis with a mild cleanser and warm water, then rinse and air dry. Apply a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to keep penile skin strong and healthy. These types of crèmes contain essential vitamins and nutrients that boost blood flow, enhance collagen production, and keep bacteria at bay.

Circumcision Pros and Cons: Joining the Debate

Circumcision is a major decision that can have a lasting impact for every male. In some cultures, circumcision is a religious ceremony. In Judaism, the ritual is called brit milah, as is usually performed in the family home or synagogue when the baby is eight days old. The procedure is performed by a mohel who has both the religious and surgical training to perform the ritual circumcision. In Islam, it is called Khitan and is performed in a hospital before a boy hits puberty.

Sometimes circumcision is a medical decision. If a boy or man is suffering from balanitis (foreskin swelling), phimosis (inability to pull back the foreskin), or balanoposthitis (where the tip and foreskin of the penis are inflamed), it will likely be recommended by his physician to get a circumcision. Still some other times, it is done out of family tradition or aesthetic preference.

What is a Circumcision?

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, which is the skin covering the tip of the penis. It is an ancient practice that originated in religious rites and caught on in the secular world. It is usually done within the first few days of a child’s birth, though it can be done at any time. It’s very common in the US and parts of Africa and the Middle East. It is less common in Europe and other countries according to information from the World Health Organization.

Pros of Circumcision

There are several pros to having a circumcision. Here is a list of the five most common benefits of circumcision.

1) Hygiene . Circumcision makes maintaining good genital hygiene a much easier task. It also reduces the instance of smegma, the build-up of oil, bacteria, and dead skin under the foreskin which can cause a funky smell, infection, and an unpleasant surprise for a sexual partner.

2) Prevents Infection. Circumcision prevents conditions like balanitis, balanoposthitis, paraphimosis, and phimosis.

3) Sexual Protection. It is said that circumcision decreases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including female-to-male transmission of HIV. That said, safe-sex or abstinence is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

4) Men’s Health . Circumcision has shown a link to decreasing the likelihood of penile cancer and urinary tract infections.

5) Women’s Health . Circumcision has been shown to decrease the risk of some infections and cervical cancer in female partners.

Cons of Circumcision

Of course, with the good, also comes the bad. Here is a list of the five most common cons of a circumcision that men should consider prior to electing to have the surgery.

1) Pain . The older a male is, the more painful a circumcision tends to be. However, pain medication and cool compresses can be used to manage pain and swelling.

2) Down Time. All surgeries require downtown and circumcision is no different. Expect to take some time away from work, a few weeks away from intimate contact, and wear very loose sweatpants and shorts during the healing process.

3) Complications. While a small surgery, circumcision can still carry risks such as cutting the foreskin too long or too short, infection, bleeding, and slow healing.

4) Hyper Sensitivity. For men who’ve grown up with foreskin, sexual contact may feel very different now that the penis is no longer covered until playtime. A man who gets a circumcision will need to relearn his personal sensitivity ranges during self-pleasure and partner pleasure.

5) Few Health Benefits. There aren’t a terrible number of verifiable benefits to getting a circumcision. It can prevent some infections and decrease risk in some areas, but the health benefit isn’t overwhelmingly positive.

Penis Health

Regardless of whether a man decides to go under the knife or not, he should always practice thorough, regular penis cleaning and care. Men should wash with a gentle cleanser and be sure to stay away from products with rough abrasives and harsh additives.

After washing, a specially designed penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) should be used to keep the penis soft, smooth, and inviting. Look for a crème packed with vitamins A, C, D, and E, which are well-known for their skin-soothing and healing properties. Also, choose a crème that has a natural base like Shea butter which will lock in moisture, keeping it from dryness or irritation.