Circumsion?

Question

Can some one tell me what the difference between being circumsised and not. Besides that extra skin. What is the big deal about it? Why would you do it? Why wouldn't you?

Answer 1

Circumcision is a traditionally Jewish and Muslim procedure, although it was introduced and encouraged to the Western, developed world as a way to stop masturbation, especially with the help of Dr. Kellogg. (see link 1) However, although scientific studies have discovered that circumcision harms masturbation by up to over 60% (2), needless to say, it doesn’t completely stop masturbation. Many circumcised guys find it more convenient to use a commercial lubricant as a result (3) since the typically moist foreskin that is like the eyelids is not present to rub the glans with (4).

Most developed nations quickly rejected circumcision after noticing its ineffectiveness against masturbation, and as a result the United States remains the last developed nation doing it to a significant percentage of newborns. (5) This was done as a result of the for-profit American health care system promoting myths about benefits of circumcision (6), such preventing penile cancer (6a, 6b), preventing HIV (6c, 6d) despite the USA being the developed nation with the highest HIV rates and circumcision rates (6e, 5), and preventing STDs (6d, 6f). As a result, circumcision is now brings in hundreds of millions of dollars to doctors and the American health system. (7)

However, circumcision has been becoming less popular as years have passed by. In the 1960s over 90% of guys were circumcised in the USA, now circumcision rates are as low as 14% in some states. (8) More and more parents are discovering that circumcision carries more risks than benefits, and realize that by leaving their sons uncircumcised, they have the choice of choosing what they’d like, since the surgery is irreversible.

Circumcision risks include the loss of sexual pleasure according to multiple studies (2, 9, 10, 11). Those studies take into effect many sensation points, including the foreskin, and they involve many participants. There have been other studies that claim no difference, but they don’t even take into effect the nerve endings on the foreskin, which as seen in one study, are some of the most sensitive points on the penis (10). One study even found an increase in erectile dysfunction rates after circumcision (10a). In another study, it was found that females ended up reaching orgasm with and preferring uncircumcised males in 9 out of 10 cases (10b). In addition, circumcision is extremely painful on newborns (12, 13, 14), and you risk many bad conditions, such as a buried penis when too much foreskin is removed and limits the size of the penis (15), or adhesions or skin bridges that develop from the head to the shaft when the skin heals after the surgery (16), meatal stenosis [occurs in up to 10% of circumcised males!] when the opening of the penis becomes irritated from too much exposure and rubbing and begins to close up (17), and meatal ulcers (18). All those risks are, of course, not including the possibility of having too much skin removed, which can cause discomfort during erections due to lack of skin to allow the penis to expand, and could consequently cause a hairy penis by pulling pubic hair and skin to the shaft. Often a circumcision scar develops around the penis after circumcision. In addition, circumcision has negative effects on breastfeeding. (18)

To conclude, here is a link that describes the anatomy of the foreskin (19) and the development of the foreskin with infants, a link especially helpful for parents (19a). Ultimately, one survey found that although uncircumcised guys are a bit more satisfied percentage-wise, it’s within the margin of error. (20) The only difference is that those unsatisfied uncircumcised guys can simply get circumcised and end up satisfied either way. In addition, in one survey it was found that up to half of circumcised guys expressed concerns on wishing to have had the choice themselves. (21) That, along with the risks and negative effects that are being seen more with the help of the Internet, may be what is bringing down circumcision rates.

Answer 2

The main difference between a circumcised and uncircumcised penis is that the circumcised penis has the foreskin surgically removed.

There's quite a bit of controversy over circumcision. It might just seem like a piece of skin, but it's skin that contains a lot of blood vessels and nerve endings that may contribute to sexual sensitivity (link 1). About 70-80% of the world's male population is uncircumcised, and the vast majority never have any problems with their foreskins. So it's actually quite rare to need the foreskin removed for medical reasons.

I'm not circumcised and I wouldn't have my foreskin removed unless medically necessary. And since I've never had any problems whatsoever thus far, that's not likely to happen. Several studies actually found that the foreskin may be beneficial to the sexual satisfaction/pleasure of not only the guy, but the woman as well (links 2, 3, 4).

I think, with such a personal and sensitive part of the body, that it should be the person's choice himself whether or not it is removed. Of course, there are the rare occasions where the foreskin must be removed for medical reasons, but those are the exceptions and not the rule.

See the remaining links to see what others guys say about the foreskin, and see why even in bad situations, it might be a good idea to keep it.

Answer 3

That "extra" skin is his densely packed with sensitive nerve endings. If it is removed, the victim will never know the full extent of sexual pleasure. Circumcision (both male and female - removal or mutilation of the clitoris) has long been part of Middle Eastern religious practice to indicate a covenant with God. The procedure became popular in the US during the Victorian Era to prevent masturbation. It didn't work. Since then it became "tradition", and the disease and cleanliness myths were born while pediatricians padded their wallets.
The procedure, if performed at birth, is barbaric. At birth, the entire foreskin is firmly attached to the head of the penis. It has to be torn away and sliced off, all done without anesthesia. The result is permanent scarring at best, there are many incidences of much worse "side effects" including mutilation and complete penis removal.
If performed on an adult, the amount of skin taken away is about the size of a one dollar bill, and includes removal of the frenulum, a connective tissue that contains the most sexual nerve endings on the body. Hardly "extra" skin.
Afterward, the exposed head becomes callused due to lack of protection from daily wear, and loses its soft mucus membrane texture, and much of its sensitivity. There is no medical reason to circumsize anyone - even phimosis, tightened foreskin that cannot be retracted, can be treated without it.
More information can be found below:

Answer 4

You should google it, there's a lot of info. I wouldn't call it "extra" skin. It's skin that's supposed to be there. In fact as a girl I like it. I think it looks and feels better. I can't see any reason for circumcision, except for the few people who have medical problems, or religious people (except I don't think it's fair to do it on babies without their consent). The evidence about infections does not seem to be very clear, some studies from Africa show it might decrease the risk of contracting HIV slightly, but there is nothing conclusive, and there is still a need for safe sex.

Answer 5

The only difference is the extra skin. Stories about cleanliness are false, considering that 70% of all men on the planet are "natural" you don't hear about big epidemics of penis infections! As someone said, mutilation of the penis is some crazy idea, and I suspect it was adopted by the jews originally to make them look different than other males-- nudity was not a big taboo back in the old days when you had to bathe together and pee in public.

Answer 6

the foreskin is there for a reason, to protect the head of the penis and keep is sensitive, to let the skin slide on the penis shaft to make sex better and for masturbation (we don't need lube). the people who say it is dirty don't know what they are talking about. all we need to do is wash it like any part of our body. I have never had a problem with my foreskin in 35 smelling. natural is best. should we remove a girls clitoris or labia just for looks or to make it cleaner? NO! then why do it to a male

Answer 7

The head is exposed more or less all of the time on a circumsized person.

Answer 8

some people do it for religious reasons, others since it is usually considered "cleaner" and easier to maintain..

I think if you didn't want to go through the pain of surgery and you were already over about 5 years old I imagine its not for you,

if however you just became an orthodox jew or something, than maybe you would want to go through with it.

Answer 9

Circumcision is the surgical removal of forskin. The topic alone is very controversial. Some males are circumcised for religious or cultural reasons.Circumcised males are less likely to contract HIV/STD's and other infections. However, circumcised or not males should practice safe sex. I was circumcised at 19, and I can tell you first hand that my penis now is much more hygienic and sex is much more sensitive now. I only wish I was circumcised at birth.

Answer 10

No one seems to have discussed the physical reason for the foreskin... because the skin is loose, it slides back and forth, and therefore makes it easier to insert, and during, it helps when sliding back and forth...


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