The practice of male circumcision, or removal of the foreskin from the penis, is older than recorded history and has fallen in and out of fashion in various different cultures and religions since the beginning of time. Although appearance is the most obvious difference between a circumcised and uncircumcised penis, there is actually more variation between these two than you might have thought.
Health
Men who are uncircumcised can retain moisture between their penis and foreskin. According to Shape, this creates the ideal environment for bacteria to grow, and can increase the risk of infection not only for men, but for their sexual partners.
“Female sex partners of uncircumcised men are at increased risk of bacterial vaginosis,” Supriya Mehta, Ph.D., an epidemiologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, told Shape.
A circumcision also decreases the risk for a urinary tract infection and penile cancer, although both these conditions are fairly rare to begin with, the Mayo Clinic reported.
In addition, having a foreskin naturally increases the chances of having problems with the foreskin. According to WebMD, some of the most common foreskin troubles include inflammation of the penis head, having a foreskin that is too tight to be pulled back, or having a foreskin that becomes trapped behind the head of the penis after being pulled back.
Sexual Function
The head of the penis is the most sensitive part of the penis, and therefore circumcised men may experience less penis sensitivity. However, this idea is debatable, as new research has suggested that there really is no clear difference in penile sensitivity between circumcised and uncircumcised men.
In addition, according to Shape, women with uncircumcised spouses report more sexual pleasure and less pain than women with circumcised husbands. This may be because the retracted skin of an uncircumcised penis bunches up and puts extra pressure on the clitoris, increasing arousal. Also, men with a foreskin require more lubrication for sex and masturbation, so naturally their penises may be smoother and therefore less painful during intercouse, Shape reported.
While circumcision may affect the sensation of sex for both men and women, it has no affect on male fertility.
Some Women Prefer Uncircumcised
Before you go running for the nearest exit if your guy is uncircumcised, note that many women prefer their guys intact. Sex feels better for some women for various reasons. Some women like the feel of the foreskin rubbing against the clitoris during intercourse. However, a vibrating cock ring like those discussed in this post can achieve a similar effect. And uncircumcised penises are also more lubricated; circumcised ones tend to be more dried out.
Some Women Prefer Circumcised
Many women prefer their guys to be circumcised. They find the circumcised penis to be more attractive, and they typically enjoy giving a blowjob to a man with a circumcised penis better. Circumcision can help some women feel better about performing oral, and this post offers tips to make blowjobs feel better for him. There is sometimes an odor and a strange taste associated with an uncircumcised penis, usually because of hygiene issues.
How Guys Feel
Circumcision removes skin from the penis, skin that is sensitive to touch. In a Belgian study, uncircumcised men reported that the head of their penis was more sensitive when stroked than what the circumcised men reported. Uncircumcised men also reported having more intense orgasms. However both men and women can take steps to achieve amazing orgasms.
Religious Reasons
Circumcision is one of the earliest forms of surgery, performed among some ancient Egyptians and Jewish and Islamic people. Practically all Jewish people today still practice circumcision. Many people also circumcise to conform to cultural norms.
