Circumcision Pros and Cons

[JadeTigress]

Partially because I'm interested, and partially because I'm sick of everyone fighting about it, let's have a civil discussion about this. That means no fighting. None.

This thread is open to everyone. The purpose is to discuss any pros or cons you've personally experienced with being circumcised or intact. So men can discuss themselves and/or partners (and if you got circumcised later in life and have experience with both, even better), and women can talk about their partners, since they obviously don't have their own penis.

Maybe we can all learn something new.

 

[quatona]

One year ago I had to undergo a circumcision for medical reasons, and right from the top of my head I can´t think of any body part of which the idea to have to do without it in the future would have been a lesser problem for me. Ok, the appendix, maybe.

 

[jayem]

Of course, I was circumcised as an infant. I was born in the 50s, when it was pretty much routine. In fact, I remember one kid in my swimming class who stood out because he was NOT circumcised. For me, it's certainly never been an issue. And ALL of the women with whom the issue has ever come up, have told me they think a circumcised penis is much more aesthetically pleasing.

There are the recent reports that circumcised African men may be less likely to contract HIV. Otherwise, there's no medical reason for routine circumcision. The contrary position is that it's an elective invasive procedure which is usually done on a child who cannot give consent. The pro would be that it may conform to a certain aesthetic sensibility, and the child won't stand out in a locker room.

 

[levi501]

I'm curious as to what evidence there is that it desensitizes the area over the years with the constant friction.

 

[JadeTigress]

I'm curious as to what evidence there is that it desensitizes the area over the years with the constant friction.

What I've read, and I'll see if I can find it again, said that because the glans is supposed to be internal, the foreskin keeps it moist, and how it's naturally supposed to be.

Remove the foreskin, and the glans starts to develop keratin to protect itself, since it's no longer covered by the foreskin. And, according to the thing I read, buildup of keratin leads to a loss of sensitivity.

I can't vouch for the truth of it, though it does (to me) make sense, since I don't have my own penis to study.

 

[Inviolable]

two reasons, it makes your penis look larger and less chance of infection.

Should I say, male organ?

 

[JadeTigress]

two reasons, it makes your penis look larger and less chance of infection.

Should I say, male organ?

You can say penis, it's allowed.

Also, I would think that it would make the penis look smaller, atleast in girth, since the double layer of skin has been removed.

 

[levi501]

two reasons, it makes your penis look larger and less chance of infection.

both false.

 

[Ryal Kane]

In terms of aesthetics, it's a purely cultural thing. If a circumcised male is the norm, then uncircumcised is most likely considered to be less attractive.

--WARNING: The following may be considered by some to be Too Much Information.

As an uncircumcised male I can say I'm pretty sure there must be some serious desensitization among circumcised males. Wearing clothes with a retracted foreskin can be extremely uncomfortable.

 

[Athene]

Apparently that is one of the side effects, desensitization of the penis due to loss of the sensory mucosa.

There is a journal article but I won't post a link as it has pictures of male genitalia.

The full text is online, it's in the British Journal of Urology, Vol 77. pages 291 - 295. Feb 1996.

The prepuce: Specialized mucosa of the penis and it's loss to circumcision.
J.R. Taylor, A.P. Lockwood and A.J. Taylor

 

[MarcusHill]

I've always wondered why infant circumcision became the norm in the US. There are no disadvantages to having a foreskin that decent hygiene doesn't take care of. From what I read, there is a noticeable loss if it is removed.

 

[Verv]

Circumcision is healthy and sanitary, and I think the desensitization is not an issue.

(this also merits a degree of warning but because similar things have been said earlier I will say it)

After all, it can be noted that the overwhelming trend is for men to be faster than women in sexual relationships -- it is almost better this way.

 

[selfinflikted]

Circumcision is healthy and sanitary, and I think the desensitization is not an issue.

(this also merits a degree of warning but because similar things have been said earlier I will say it)

After all, it can be noted that the overwhelming trend is for men to be faster than women in sexual relationships -- it is almost better this way.

 

[Chrono Traveler]

I guess its the "Men are sensitive enough already, and any more and it would make things all the faster"



that being false of course, cause endurence can be trained very easily.

 

[WatersMoon110]

I guess its the "Men are sensitive enough already, and any more and it would make things all the faster"

that being false of course, cause endurence can be trained very easily.

I heard (from the wife of a man that had regrown his foreskin, on the Penn and Teller Showtime Show) that men who are not circumcised have more control over themselves during sexual intercourse. Since I have not ever been with an "uncut" male, I can't speak from personal experience. But the idea is that all of the nerve endings (some of which can be regrown a bit with the foreskin) help a man to be better aware of what is going on, and also to better control his responses.

 

[JadeTigress]

I guess its the "Men are sensitive enough already, and any more and it would make things all the faster"



that being false of course, cause endurence can be trained very easily.

I guess it doesn't matter as much for me, since I don't have a penis that would go limp afterwards, but I wish I had more endurance.

 

[WatersMoon110]

I guess it doesn't matter as much for me, since I don't have a penis that would go limp afterwards, but I wish I had more endurance.

Wow - in the interest of not being banned for saying totally inappropriate things, I will just say that female endurance can also be learned. Through "practice" alone or with others...

*wink*

 

[JadeTigress]

Wow - in the interest of not being banned for saying totally inappropriate things, I will just say that female endurance can also be learned. Through "practice" alone or with others...

*wink*

I havn't made any progress by myself, so I guess someone's gonna have to help me out.

 

[Bianca87]

I guess it doesn't matter as much for me, since I don't have a penis that would go limp afterwards, but I wish I had more endurance.

why???

 

[JadeTigress]

why???

Because the longer you can draw it out and build it, the better the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] is.