Should Boys be Circumcised?

Should Boys be Circumcised?

Parents face so many difficult decisions when it comes to having a child: decisions about nursing, sleep patterns, discipline, teaching methods and, in the case of boys, whether or not to circumcise. In addition to being the most common surgery for males in the U.S., circumcision has been practiced in various cultures for centuries. Yet when it comes to the health and best interest of your newborn, is circumcision the way to go?

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NOCIRC

Circumcision Alters Sexual Function

National Organization of Circumcision Information

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The foreskin has a gliding action that facilitates intercourse. The gliding of the foreskin stimulates the glans and the glans stimulates the foreskin. During intercourse, the foreskin turns inside out and the ridged band is exposed to and stimulated by the vaginal walls. The movements and skin contact an intact man needs to reach orgasm are compatible with the movements and skin contact a woman needs to reach orgasm.

The dryness, abrasion, and chafing complaints of some women, along with their inability to have an orgasm, are oftentimes complications of circumcision. A circumcised male has little lubrication of his own, and he removes much of a woman's vaginal lubrication with every outstroke. In addition, a circumcised male needs longer strokes to stimulate the small sensitive area (frenular remnant) on the underside of his penis to reach ejaculation. Each long outstroke distances him from the woman's clitoris, making it harder for her to ride the wave to orgasm.

An American joke asks, “Why do women fake orgasm?” The answer, “Because men fake foreplay,” is only partially correct. Women fake orgasm because many circumcised men miss much of the pleasure of foreplay, their movements aren’t compatible with women’s movements, and women don’t want to hurt men’s feelings. Many men, insecure about their sexuality, may know something’s wrong, but are relieved to hear, “Yes, honey, I had an orgasm.” Rarely is this potential cause for deep tension in relationships discussed. Mutilated sex organs are no joke!

Once couples realize these problems are related to circumcision rather than inadequacy, they can learn to adjust the mechanics of sex to partially compensate for the genital alteration of circumcision, but nothing can restore full sexual experience when significant amounts of sensory tissue are amputated from either a man or a woman.

Evidence

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Taylor JR
Fine touch pressure thresholds in the adult penis (letter). BJU Int 2007;100(1):218
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Cold CJ, Taylor JR
The prepuce. BJU Int 1999;83 Suppl. 1:34–44.
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Zwang, G
Functional and erotic consequences of sexual mutilations. In: Denniston GC and Milos MF, eds. Sexual Mutilations: A Human Tragedy New York and London: Plenum Press, 1997
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O'Hara K, O'Hara J
The effect of male circumcision on the sexual enjoyment of the female partner. BJU Int 1999;83 Suppl 1:79-84
IcotextText
Bensley GA, Boyle GJ
Effects of male circumcision on female arousal and orgasm. N Z Med J 2003;116(1181):595-6
IcotextText
Sorrells ML, Snyder JL, Reiss MD, et al
Fine touch pressure thresholds in the adult penis. BJU Int 2007;99:864–9
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"No" NOCIRC
"No" Doctors Opposing Circumcision
"Yes" Edgar J Schoen MD
"Yes" Dr Brian Morris
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