Adult circumcision is one of the most hotly discussed sexual health subjects by both men and women in the medical community. The arguments from both sides -in its favor and against- are very interesting, to say the least. Some circles believe that this heated discussion is primarily due to the lack of definitive evidence to highlight circumcision is better than being uncircumcised – and vice versa.
However, the fact remains that circumcision is a minor surgical procedure aimed to remove the foreskin – the sleeve of skin around the head of a male penis. Contrary to popular belief, Adult Circumcision does not affect male sexual drive or functioning. Experts at Circumcision Center agree that circumcision doesn’t affect male sexual drive or functioning. However, men who have gone through circumcision end up losing a quarter of their penis skin. In fact, a Michigan State University study highlights that the most sensitive part of a circumcised penis is its circumcision scar, which as it turns out is the argument used by opposing groups. ‘A possible explanation for this increased sensitivity in a male penis can be enunciated as a natural mutation to protect itself – like growing a callus on your foot, but to a lesser extent’ says Darius Paduch, M.D., Ph.D., a urologist and male sexual medicine specialist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. So why exactly there is a need to get rid of foreskin?
To put it simply, moisture gets trapped between the male penis and its foreskin, creating an ideal environment for bacterium growth. This means a higher risk of infection and transfer of this bacteria to other humans. While on the subject of foreskin it is important to mention some (proven) ailments which are cured by circumcision, chiefly among them are:
- Phimosis – a medical condition in which the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the penis glans; this can sometimes cause pain when the penis is erect and in rare cases, passing urine becomes a painful chore. Studies have revealed that nearly all human males are born with congenital phimosis, a condition that resolves in the majority of infants as they are transitioning towards their childhood. Douglas Gairdner in 1949 highlighted that only 4% of infants were born with a fully retractable foreskin, but an overwhelming 90% showed this trait by age 3. Fast forward to current times and recent studies showcase that a minor 1% of human males aged 17 years still have an un-retractable foreskin. Adult phimosis (i.e., pathologic or true phimosis) is primarily caused by an underlying medical condition or poor hygiene. In babies, the glans and foreskin develop as one, only separating during early-mid childhood. Due to this naturally occurring phenomenon, the infant foreskin is frequently tight and inelastic. In these circumstances, some doctors might recommend circumcision, while others state that foreskin losses by the age of three and is a part of evolution. True phimosis, which affects less than 1% boys, is very rare before the age of five, as reported by menshealthforum.
- Balanitis – A condition where the glans or foreskin becomes inflamed. It can affect the men of all ages, but common cases have been recorded against 3-5 years’ age group. Poor hygiene is considered as one of the most common reasons for this disorder. Moreover, tight foreskin, skin diseases and allergy to washing products -such as soaps- or spermicides in condoms can damage the skin, and if it becomes infected, then there is an unyielding possibility that balanitis can develop. Most notably, experts at Circumcision Center remark that this disease is not sexually transferable. However, a bacterium named ‘Candida’ can be a cause of transfer of this disease, so it is advised to refrain from intercourse. Many doctors’ advice that this condition can be avoided by maintaining a proper hygiene, especially cleaning under the foreskin. But in chronic cases, circumcision might be needed.
- Para-Phimosis – A condition where the foreskin can’t be returned to its original state after being pulled back. Considered by many doctors as one of the most painful ailments for men, it can cause the glans to be swollen and painful. If such an issue arises or befalls a male, then immediate treatment is necessary to avoid serious complications.
- Penis-Cancer – Considered as the rarest of ailments that can occur in men, where a red patch, wart-like growth or ulcer appears under the foreskin. Immediate treatment is recommended to diagnose this situation as soon as possible to avoid any serious complications. There are three options for this much rarer and severe condition
- Surgery to remove the cancerous cells
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
