Foreskin, or not to foreskin, that is the question...

Each semester I have my students ask questions at the beginning of class that they hope to have answered, and again at the end of class to share what questions remain unanswered. The following question related to circumcision and foreskin jumped out at me, because it is a common question each semester.

Can you feel the difference when having sex with a guy who is circumcised compared to a guy who is not?

Let me clarify, this is a general question from a student, not directed at me specifically. Since the students share these questions anonymously, my best guess is that this question is from a female student. I will definitely NOT be sharing any of my own personal information, but will share what I've discovered in research. I will address this mainly from a heterocentric viewpoint, solely based on the fact that the primary research I've discovered is quite heterocentric. However, my best guess is that the information shared here could relate to anal, oral and manual sexual encounters as well.

What is the foreskin? What is the difference between circumcised and not circumcised?
Before we can answer the student's much more interesting question, we must briefly discuss what it means to be circumcised, or not. Almost all males are born with a foreskin. The foreskin is a covering to the male penis and glans area. This sheathlike covering is retractable, typically around puberty, and is comprised mainly of an outer skin layer, an inner layer of mucous membrane and rich tactile nerve endings. Foreskin is notably elastic and naturally retracts and glides during sexual intercourse.

The purpose of the foreskin is greatly debated, but appears to have the function of protecting the penis, keeping the external penile tissue lubricated and soft, likely increasing sensation during sexual arousal and intercourse, and possibly facilitating lubrication in the female during intercourse. (Taylor, J., Lockwood, A., & Taylor, A. (1996, February). The prepuce: Specialized mucosa of the penis and its loss to circumcision. British Journal of Urology, 77, pp291-295).

Male circumcision in the United States is typically performed in infancy. Circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove the prepuce from the penis. There is some debate about whether the infants will remember any pain associated with the procedure, but analgesics are currently recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The Politics of Circumcision
The topic of circumcision itself is highly political and highly charged with emotion. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been consistent throughout the decades (1971 forward) on its stance that there are "no valid medical indications for circumcision during the neonatal period". In 1977 they AAP proclaimed a similar stance that for other than non-therapeutic reasons, circumcision during the neonatal period is an elective procedure. The current AAP policy statement (1999, and reaffirmed in May 2005) is that "data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision." (American Academy of pediatrics: Circumcision Policy Statement [Electronic version]. (1999, March). Pediatrics, 103(3), 686-693.)

Strangely, although the AAP, through its expansive literature review has ascertained that circumcision should be considered elective, not recommended as a routine procedure, and that there are no valid medical indications for circumcision during the neonatal period, the practice in the United States is currently in the 55.9% range. The rates are highest in the Northeast and Midwest (65.3% and 71.1% respectively), and lowest in the South and the West (54.6% and 40.5% respectively) (Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Health Statistics, 2008). While the Jewish and Muslim communities practice circumcision for cited religious reasons, this still does not account for the large number of circumcisions performed in the States.

Many activist groups and men who feel that they were cheated by their parents and pediatricians deciding on circumcision in their infancy feel that circumcision should be an individual choice and should not be left in the hands of parents and physicians. San Francisco is currently considering banning the practice of circumcision for individuals under the age of 17 within its jurisdiction. The proposal currently states that the ban would extend to even those who engage in the practice for religious reasons. Penalties could include up to 1 year jail time and up to a $1,000 fine.

What does the research tell us?
Politics aside, it appears that an individual who routinely keeps his foreskin clean will have health issues similar to individuals who have been circumcised. (American Academy of pediatrics: Circumcision Policy Statement [Electronic version]. (1999, March). Pediatrics, 103(3), 686-693.) It is possible that the foreskin has a sensate purpose and a lubricating role, but most men whether circumcised or not, continue to enjoy partaking in sexual behaviors of their choice. Unfortunately, there is not much research on whether females prefer the feeling of a circumcised or uncircumcised penis. Most of the information at this point continues to be anecdotal.

The answer?
To answer the original question, although very few women in the States have had the opportunity to compare circumcised versus uncircumcised penises, the answer is likely "Yes". For those who have complained about foreskin, it appears that their comments are mainly related to appearance due to lack of previous exposure and less to function. Anecdotal reports from women state that, other than some confusion over how to administer a blow job, many women report that they enjoy intercourse with a man who is uncircumcised. Some women report that they are able to maintain lubrication more effectively without the aid of lubricants with a penis which retains its foreskin. Some women report that they can feel the penis glide in and out of the foreskin and that this is an enjoyable sensation and a turn-on. However, many women report that they also enjoy intercourse with a man who is circumcised as well.

More research may be needed, but since many men do not have the choice to retain their foreskin at this point in history, just let us leave this with the thought that it's not the foreskin that counts, but the motion of the ocean.

********************************

For more information on foreskin (and other topics related to human sexuality), please see Dr. Paul Joannides book, "The Guide to Getting it On" (2009, Goofy Foot Press pp 357-366). You can also visit his website at http://www.goofyfootpress.com/

Another great, readable website which provides more information on foreskin and circumcision (as well as other topics related to human sexuality), please see Scarleteen at http://www.scarleteen.com/