Uncircumcised men: do you regret being uncircumcised? And vise versa...?

Question

My husband and I just found out that we are having a boy. At first, it was easy for us to say that we should circumcise him. But now, after some research, I'm changing my mind. I have read that circumcising causes less sexual sensitivity (not necessarily a bad thing from a woman's perspective, jk) and that it also possibly stunts growth so that the circumcision actually shortens it, which will probably bother my son more than it would bother a woman.

While my husband refused for at least 8 years to neuter his male dog because he didn't believe in "doing that to another male," he is okay with removing part of his own son's main reproductive organ. I know, I know; what a double standard. I think he's afraid our son will be teased or something??

Anyway, I don't have any of these parts so I have no idea. Should I try to talk to my husband about leaving our son uncircumsized? Does anyone regret either physical situation? And women: which do you prefer?

Serious comments only please

Answer 1

I'm uncircumcised and I don't regret it at all. In fact, I respect my parents for letting me that way. I know I have the option of getting circumcised if I wish. On the other hand, if I was circumcised, it wouldn't be that way.

A link of interest is a recent (from earlier this week) CNN story that shows that circumcision is becoming a lot less popular.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/06/18/circumcision.decline.ap/index.html

The USA is last remaining advanced nation doing it to newborns, and even so, the rates are as low as 14% in some states (like Nevada/California). So circumcised kids will be in the minority once they grow up.
http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/staterates2004/

You can read about all the risks of circumcision, studies (like the ones you mentioned that it reduces sensitivity/pleasure and makes masturbation more difficult, which oddly enough is how it was promoted in the USA), and circumcision 'benefit' myths here:
http://forums.govteen.com/showpost.php?p=3069995&postcount=2

Answer 2

I don't think you should do it. Think about it, it's an unnecessary, non-medical invasive procedure performed on the genitals of an unconsenting child! That's all it really is.

It is not necessary. The majority of the men in the world are not circumcised. Humans are born not circumcised for a reason. If you read more about the history of circumcision, a lot of it has its grounds in religious origins...simply to try and reduce sex (outside marriage) and masturbation which were considered bad! For hygiene, you just teach him to wash under his foreskin every day, it will be fine. Some people (and women) just automatically assume it's dirtier, for no good reason. And studies about the spread of STDs aren't very convincing (you can look for some) and anyway, chopping off his entire thing would stop him transferring STDs as well but is that what you want?

Also, circumcision is non-reversible. If he gets to being a teenager and changes his mind, it is still possible to get it done then. Given that so many men are circumcised and so many aren't, I doubt he will be teased either way.

If you go to youtube there is a video of the procedure. You should watch it before you decide.

Answer 3

I'm uncircumcised and I don't regret it at all. I've never had any problems with the foreskin and I've never been teased about it or anything. In all likelihood, your son would be even less likely to be teased since the overall rate of circumcision is declining in the US - I assume you're from the US (link 1).

There's the claim that the uncircumcised penis is harder to clean or keep clean. I've no idea where that stigma came from, as hygiene is very easy and becomes second nature once you know what to do (link 2). Also, good hygiene prevents/minimizes a lot of problems involving the foreskin you hear people talk about.

There's also the claim that uncircumcised men are more prone to infections/STDs. Most studies indicate no significant difference between the two groups. Interestingly, good hygiene helps reduce what possible increased risk might exist for uncircumcised men (link 3).

And then there are studies that makes a lot of uncircumcised guys thankful that they still have their foreskins. For instance, there are a lot of nerve endings in the foreskin that may contribute to sexual sensitivity (link 4). In addition, several studies indicate that the foreskin may play a positive role in the sexual satisfaction/pleasure of not only the man, but the woman as well (links 5, 6, 7).

So as long as one doesn't develop physical and medical problems of the foreskin (which is more uncommon than people make it out to be), one maintains good genital hygiene, and one practices safe sex, it's seems that's probably better to be uncircumcised. If you leave him uncircumcised, and with the current trend in the US, he'll probably thank you one day (maybe not to your face, but in his heart at least).

Links 8-11 are worth a look to help make you better informed before making a final decision with your husband. While it's my opinion that you shouldn't have your son circumcised unless it's medically necessary, it is a decision that you and your husband must make without coercion. By the way, circumcision doesn't stunt the penis unless too much skin is removed, which is an uncommon complication of the procedure (and if too much skin is removed, erections would also be painful).

Answer 4

I'm a woman, I prefer uncircumcised though I've had both. Uncircumcised is more sensitive, lovely to play with... I could go on. You can be relatively rough with a circumcised penis compared to an uncircumcised one, one of my uncircumcised boyfriends would have shot through the roof - he was more sensitive to to the slightest touch. I prefer sex as I often like it more gentle and slower and this is easier with men who are more sensitive.

Don't circumcise your son. Abroad it is very rare apart from for religious reasons, and numbers in the US have dropped to below half, as low as 10% in some places, so by the time your son gets older it will be the norm.

And even if he were ever to get teased, uncircumcised men know sex is better for them because their sensitivity is heightened, and I wouldn't take that away from my son.

If he really wanted to be circumcised he could have it done when he was older, at least you wouldn't have robbed him of that choice.

Answer 5

Nobody gets near my foreskin with anything sharp! Please don't do this to your perfect new child!

ADVANTAGES OF BEING INTACT:
--Circumcision cuts WAY down on sexual enjoyment for the man due to loss of nerve-rich foreskin. A new study proves conclusively, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that circumcision decreases sensitivity for the man. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2006.06685.x That's MUCH more important than any size issues.
--Getting cut causes the glans (head) to develop a keratinized layer to protect from rubbing on clothing, further cutting sensation.
--nine out of ten women who have had both prefer intact penises: http://www.healthcentral.com/drdean/408/60750.html That's really pretty definitive.
--Circumcision hurts -- a lot -- when it's done, even if he is too young to remember it. Have a look at http://www.cirp.org/library/procedure/plastibell/ -- is this any way to welcome a child into the world? Ask your husband to watch this with you -- that's a real child being cut.
--Circumcision, like other surgery, has a chance of complications. Each year a few baby boys have to have their entire penises amputated and undergo surgery to make them into fake girls. And a few die.

ADVANTAGES OF BEING CUT: Circumcision has NO advantages that are not fictional or only relevant in a few areas
--He can be just as clean if he is uncircumcised. Wash. It's THAT simple. Even if he's cut, he still needs to wash.
--Some studies have shown a lower rate of cancer of the penis in cut guys, but this cancer is so rare that it's hard to get a good statistical sample. More boys/men die each year from botched circumcisions than from cancer of the penis.
--The US has the highest circumcision rate in the developed world and also the highest AIDS rate in that group. http://www.circinfo.org/hiv.html

Congratulations on the upcoming birth. You'll be so proud of your WHOLE new baby!

Answer 6

I am uncircumcised and yes, I regret it greatly and I plan to have it done as soon as possible.

My personal experience is that the foreskin is itchy, uncomfortable, and just downright annoying.

As a kid I faced a lot of teasing for being uncut - boys *DO* look at each other unfortunately.

Honestly, I think having your son circumcised is one of the best choices a parent can make for their kid. Cirumcision will give them a lifetime of benefits. Yes, it has some cons. So do routine childhood vaccines, etc. As a parent it is your responsibility to act in your child's best interest on medical decisions until your child is old enough to understand what's going on. Just like vaccines, etc.

Good luck in your choice - it's a hard one I know. Don't let anyone on either side pressure you. Remember the pros (cleaner, looks better, lower risk of STDs, less teasing, more comfortable) and the cons (slight surgical risks, possible loss of sensitivity - not necessarily bad!).

Mark

Answer 7

As long as i live i never hear about a dog's circumcision. Dogs and other animals
are not circumcised
-that means removing the external, protective part of the penis-
but castrated to have them more pacific
-that means cut off the animal's sexual organs a la Lorena Bobbit style-
Maybe you have a very big confusion.

Castrate animals may sound cruel, but if you see how dangerous can be for example a male donkey running wildly at top speed to make sex with a female in the middle of a well populated town, you will think otherwise. Horses and donkey often have riders or heavy loads you know.

I had been circumcised for medical reasons -an infection- when i am a baby and all its fine, even my wife wants more sex.

Jews and muslim males among others circumcise for a religious custom but do you ever hear complains about it hampers their sexuality? My friends never.

The prepuce, the part removed of the penis in a circumcision is only for protect it against the environment. Really removing it do not change sensation, unless you also remove the frenulum, a sensitive part near to it.

It's a delicate, irreversible surgery though and only must be doing for really important medical reasons or religious reasons. The best time to do it i when the man is a baby, although any age is fine. It needs an specialized surgeon to avoid cutting the frenulum.

Circumcision is like living without tonsil or appendixes, you can live perfectly fine without that protective part of the penis (prepuce) if necessary.

Answer 8

some people say men who are not are better off cause they are less likly to get an infection thenh men who are....but then I hear people say that men who are not that it is not a good thing and they really should be. I believe its up to you. If you dont feel you want to put your son through it then you dont have too. Its a decision that maybe you might make at the last moment. You have time yet..give it some more thought and decision with your husband.

Answer 9

Do what u can to convince your hubby to leave him intact, once it's gone u cant get it back. And it is better, i'll admit some women have a stigma about uncircd men but they are simply uneducated plus the circ rate is dropping dramatically each yr. The foreskin has many benefits. Here read up some more, try to explain to your hubby what will be lost

Answer 10

I am uncircumsized. I am grateful to my parents for not doing that to me. I love it. You have much more sensativity. The feeling is incredible. You do lose sensativity with you circumsize someone.

All the myths about being made fun in gym are just that myths. It does not matter. It is commonplace now to not circumsize your child.

It is not uncleanly. You learn to take care of yourself like any other part of your body. I am here to tell you, my package is not dirty or smelly. I know how to clean myself. Thank you very much. Also people say you get more STD's. Another myth.

When it comes to dating, I cannot tell you what a turn on it is for people that I am uncut. So that myth is untrue as well.

I can persuade you any way, please please please don't do this to your son. He will thank you for it. It is a problem for him, then as an adult he can make that decision.

Now about dogs. I wish mine were not neutured. I have two rare Chihuahua's and I wish I could breed them. I am a responsible pet owner and would not let them run around making puppies! Hahaha. I got them from shelters because I think adopting is the only way so both of mine are.

Congrats on yalls baby!! Again, please don't circumsize him.