So, of course, the follow up is... What are these folks (mostly men unsurprisingly) so passionate about? We may turn this into a series. Is this sentiment that's leading to the USA reducing its rates of circumcision? There are many fervent advocates on both side of the fence. So here, we address these issues. Call it a debate! Feel free to continue the conversation below. We love comments!
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Foreskin: The Why and Why Not?
Last week, I wrote an article that discussed a few interesting facts about the penis. Circumcision was mentioned, and to some individuals, some of the statements made, real and true, offended those who might call themselves “intactivists.”
Basically, these passionate individuals are against the practice of circumcision, because to them it is considered genital mutilation. Because of such a strong response, I thought I’d take the time out and mention the pros and cons of circumcision, as well as the whys behind circumcision—whether they are medical, sexual, religious, or cultural reasons.
As I mentioned in Penis 101, most men, specifically 60-75% men in the United States, are estimated to be circumcised. That’s not a small number, and to some, it is too large of a number. But wait, let’s talk about why this might be.
Medical
1) Medical: Foreskin is supposed to be retractable. In other words, it should be able to slide up and down the shaft and cover the head of the penis, without discomfort or pain.
However, only 1 in 20 newborn have foreskin that is retractable right away. For some boys, it takes a year or even three. For others, there might be a problem where the foreskin is unable to retract or retracts and gets stuck near the base of the penis. These are actual medical conditions, which can be cured through circumcision. In that case, parents feel it beneficial to circumcise their child so he does not feel pain and possibly have more complications.
Now, when the child is born with a functioning foreskin, it is highly recommended to teach the child how to clean their foreskin. On the underside of the foreskin, there is a mucus membrane which is very similar to the inside of the eye and mouth. This wet and warm area can harbor different types of bacteria and some men find the lack of cleaning can produce a cheese-like substance to sit underneath the foreskin. Not to say there is anything wrong with cheese-like substances, but that isn’t the most appealing sight and definitely not the kind of cheese a woman wants to eat while hanging out with her partner.
Cervical cancer and penile cancer are both caused by different strands of HPV. Interestingly enough, five studies showed that no man who was circumcised as a newborn developed penile cancer, while the lifetime risk for an uncircumcised man developing this cancer was one in six-hundred.
Does that mean that all men should be circumcised because of these reasons? Absolutely not. It just means that men need to be aware of their foreskin and make sure it’s clean and taken care of, especially before, during, and after practicing safe sex.
Sexual
2) Sexual: Although research is unclear and scientists are not certain of these findings, by removing te foreskin, it is commonly assumed that men are losing some sexual stimulation. It is true that the foreskin has nerve endings that could cause more sensitivity and sexual pleasure to be experienced.
Also, the foreskin is sometimes viewed as beneficial because it acts as a sleeve that makes the gliding of the penis during masturbation and sex easier and naturally lubricated.
However, if you ask a circumcised guy if they feel less or more with or without their foreskin, they most likely would not be able to tell you. The reason for this is because most men are circumcised while they are infants. In fact, some men would even say that they have a hard enough time controlling their ejaculation without extra sensitivity of the foreskin. Each man is different and for many men, it is what it is. They don’t know better with or without the foreskin. Don’t get me wrong—there are websites and blogs that showcase men who are upset that they didn’t have a choice in their circumcision.
Because of religion3) Like we mentioned above, some men just need to get circumcised because their foreskin wasn’t fully functional. But for many, it was simply their parents’ decision based on cultural and religious practices. In the Jewish faith, it is customary to have the newborn boy circumcised on the eighth day. In this religion, it is considered a rite of passage and performed by a specific religious leader trained in surgical procedures.
Similarly in Islam, the boys are circumcised. It does not have to be right after the baby is born, but is seen as a rite of passage as well. Now, circumcision is not only done by Jewish or Islamic people, but by Christians all over the world as well. From Kenya to the United States, it is considered a common practice and not frowned upon by many people.
At GetLusty, we believe in respect and love—of yourself and of one another. To each their own. To healthy genitals. To great sex. To you—with or without your foreskin. There is a whole lot to love.
Call her Tia. She's a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During her college career, she was part of a volunteer group called the Sexual Health Peers where she bonded with like-minded, sex-positive people from various backgrounds and orientations. She has taught workshops on STDs, birth control, safe sex, and relationships. It was one of the highlights of her college career and allowed her to get involved in Planned Parenthood of Illinois in Action. She was a Campaign Organizer who stood for the reproductive rights of women in Illinois.
As a third-wave feminist, she currently works in the makeup industry promoting what she believes in: women should feel and be as beautiful as they want to without scrutiny. She believes in teaching factual and healthy outlooks on sex and relationships as a way to create a sex-positive culture where future generations can thrive.
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