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Adult
Circumcision
The Pros &
Cons
In
this article, I have decided to not only give you some interesting
facts about circumcision, but also provide you with one man's
account of what his adult circumcision was like so that you might
get an idea of this procedure in terms of doing it as an adult.
Be warned... I get a bit graphic in this article so if this topic
makes you feel a bit light headed... you may want to sit down
reading it!
Basic
Penis Anatomy
The
inner foreskin (mucosa) is the skin directly against the
glans. Like the lining of the mouth, this tissue is thinner
and of a different texture and color than the remainder
of the skin covering the penis (shaft skin).
The
frenulum is a particularly sensitive narrow membrane that
runs down the ventral groove of the glans and attaches to
the inner foreskin.
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The
ridged band is the interface between the inner foreskin (mucosa)
and the shaft skin. It often "puckers" past the tip of the glans.
The band contains whorled smooth muscle fibers, giving it pronounced
elastic properties that allow the foreskin to be retracted. The
ridged band has a tactile sensitivity equivalent to that of the
lips.
The foreskin provides ample loose skin for the penis to occupy
when erect. It is a movable skin sheath for the penis during intercourse,
reducing chafing and the need for artificial lubricants, and allowing
the glans and foreskin to naturally stimulate each other.
What
Is Circumcision?
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the sleeve of skin and
mucosal tissue that normally covers the glans (head) of the penis.
This double layer, sometimes called the prepuce, is more commonly
known as the foreskin.
The
Controversy Regarding Circumcision
Whether
or not circumcision should be performed is a controversial question,
especially as religious issues may be involved. The practice of
circumcision is far older than recorded history. Certainly, it
is far older than the Biblical account of Abraham (Genesis 17)
and seems to have originated in eastern Africa.
What
struck me the most in my research for this article was the amount
of controversy around it. On one extreme, some of those opposed
claim it is genital mutilation, that it is a physical assault
and feel that those who are in favor of it are barbaric. Some
also feel that the clinicians that perform the surgery are criminals.
In fact there have been reports of harassment by medical professionals
in an attempt to stop them having this procedure carried out.
I
believe part of the intensity of the conflict is because there
is a sex organ is involved. I mean, you don't have this kind of
controversy over ear piercing, or tattooing going on. Our hyper
sensitivity to sexuality becomes pretty transparent when it comes
to this issue.
Because
I like to examine as many perspectives I can on a subject to feel
more fully educated on it (often I feel that it is through fear
and ignorance that we make unhealthy choices for ourselves) I
would like to present both the pros and cons of adult circumcision.
When
Should A Man Consider An Adult Circumcision?
Adult
circumcision is not uncommon, and is often recommended by physicians
when there is a chronic medical condition that is present such
as balanoposthitis (inflammation of the head of the penis and
overlying foreskin) or phimosis (difficulty retracting the foreskin).
Both problems are more often seen in diabetics, but can occur
in any uncircumcised man. Symptoms include chronic irritation
and scarring and can usually be prevented with careful cleaning
beneath the foreskin.
Prior
to a recommendation of circumcision, a urologist will most likely
prescribe an anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory ointment, which
may help clear up the problem. Yeast infections are also common
as they thrive in the warm, moist environment created beneath
the foreskin. Unfortunately, these conditions often recur, and
when they do, a circumcision is advisable.
Medical
Reasons To Do The Surgery-
Phimosis (tight foreskin)
Paraphimosis (inability to pull the retracted foreskin back over
the glans)
Balanitis and balanoposthitis (inflammation of glans and glans
and foreskin)
Frenulum breve (short frenulum which tears with intercourse)
Diseases of the foreskin, including cancer
Women's
Attitudes Toward The Circumcised Penis
It
seems that a circumcised penis is favored by most women for appearance
and hygiene. Furthermore, some women were not attracted to the
smell of the uncircumcised penis, where, as mentioned earlier,
bacteria and other microorganisms proliferate under the foreskin.
This
is not to say that some women do not prefer and uncircumcised
penis, rather it is just to say that in our research through various
polls taken (including our own) that most women prefer a circumcised
penis on their lover.
If you are a man who is uncircumcised, please note it was based
on actual results and it is not our intention to sway someone
toward an opinion about this issue.
A
Poll Of 1000 Women From Our Web Site Was Taken Last Month And
Here Are The Results-
92%
said the circumcised penis was cleaner.
90% said it looked 'sexier.'
85% it felt nicer to touch.
55% smelled more pleasant.
2% preferred an uncircumcised penis for
fellatio.
82% preferring the circumcised variety.
71% preferred sex with men who were circumcised
6% preferred men who were not circumcised
What
women said they liked about a circumcised penis-
Visual
appeal-
The glans is exposed in both the erect and un-erect state.
Cleanliness-
They consider they are at less risk of yeast infections, bacterial
infections and STDs.
Smell-
The foreskin was also regarded as a source of a bad smell.
Sexual
Satisfaction-
Increased sexual pleasure from the exposed head. Women who failed
to reach an orgasm were 3 times more likely to have an uncircumcised
lover this may be due to the head of the penis being more pronounced
in circumcised men. However it may also have to do with the confidence
of men who are circumcised as well as other sociological factors.
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Pro's
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Con's
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Decreases Risks Of The
Following
Paraphimosis
This is the inability to position
the foreskin back over the head of the penis after it has
been retracted; this is usually associated with phimosis
and can be a surgical emergency since blood flow to the
head of the penis can become impaired.
Genital Warts
(Condylomata) Can become quite large
and unresponsive to topical medications, and if located
on the foreskin, may be best treated with circumcision.
Penile
Cancer
If caught early enough, may be treated with circumcision
(interestingly, penile cancer virtually never occurs in
circumcised men).
Zipper
Injury
In uncircumcised boys the foreskin
can become accidentally entrapped in zippers, resulting
in pain, trauma, swelling and scarring of this appendage.
Less
Chance Of Disease
Much lower chance of acquiring AIDS
heterosexually. Virtually complete elimination of the risk
of invasive penile cancer. Much lower chance Phimosis which
also increases risk of penile cancer.
Less
Chance Of Infections
Much
lower risk of urinary tract and yeast infections.
External
Cleanliness
Bathroom 'splatter'- men who are not circumcised can"piss
off their living companions" he, he... because if they
do not retract the foreskin when they urinate 'splatter'
will usually occur.
Sexual Benefits
More favorable hygiene for the man
and his sexual partner. Better sexual function on average.
A penis that is regarded by most as being more attractive.
Post
Surgery
Getting circumcised will result in
having to go through a very minor surgical procedure that
carries with it small risks.
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Pre-Surgery
Parts of the foreskin, such as the
mucosa (inner foreskin) and frenulum, are protective and
enhance sexual control.
The
foreskin can protect the glans penis from friction and abrasion
throughout life.
The foreskin
keeps the glans moisturized and soft with emollient oils.
It also provides an aid to masturbation and foreplay and
serves as an aid to penetration.
During
The Surgery
Excessive
bleeding
This is treated with pressure or locally-acting
agents.
Infection
Local infections occur in 1 in 100-1000 and are easily treated
with local antibiotics.
Subsequent
surgery
Needed for 1 in 1000 because of skin bridges, or removal
of too much or too little foreskin.
Repair
of injury to penis or glans required for 1 in 15,000.
Local
anesthetic
The only risk is when the type of anesthetic used is a dorsal
penile nerve block, with 1 in 4 having a small bruise at
the injection site.
This
will disappear.
Post
Surgery
The
healing can potentially be complicated by nocturnal erections,
which put pressure on the incision and can cause bleeding
(this is usually self-limiting, but can create swelling
and bruising).
Diabetics
have a greater risk of postoperative infection, which is
generally a low risk after this surgery.
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The
Surgery
Undergoing
a circumcision as an adult can be intimidating, but it is generally
safe. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia,
but it can also be performed under local.
Effects
Of A Circumcision On Sexual Stimulation
A
circumcision can affect penile sensitivity and sexual stimulation.
The most sensitive area of the penile skin is the frenulum, the
area just below the head of the penis on its underside. Even with
efforts to preserve as much of this skin as possible, some men
notice less sexual satisfaction after circumcision. All that having
been said, urologists successfully perform many medically necessary
-- and cosmetic -- circumcisions in men every year.
Why
Are Men Born With Foreskin?
One
possible function of the foreskin was to protect the head of the
penis from long grass, shrubbery, etc. when humans wore no clothes
thousands of years ago.
The foreskin allowed the tip of the penis to stay moist to allow
for quick penetration of a female, where lengthy foreplay and
intercourse would be a dangerous to one's survival. The risk from
predators and human enemies were greater the longer they were
engaged in sex.
Why
Did Certain Cultures Begin Removing The Foreskin?
Many cultures have various reasons for circumcision... here are
just a few-
| Historically
it was not uncommon for soldiers to be circumcised in preparation
for active service because infections, initiated by the aggravation
of dirt and sand, are not uncommon under such conditions and
have crippled the health and functioning of entire armies.
That makes a lot of sense when you remember that it is difficult
to achieve sanitation during prolonged battle. |
| Egyptians
are thought to have circumcised themselves and their slaves
to prevent schistosomal infection. Urinary tract obstruction
and hematuria are common in localities such as the Nile Valley
that are inhabited by the infectious organisms. The foreskin
undoubtedly possess' the ability to hold infected water allowing
parasites to infect the entire body. |
| The
perpetuation of the procedure by the Jews may have subsequently
been driven by a desire to maintain cleanliness in an arid,
sandy desert environment. |
| In
Madagasgar, where all men are circumcised regardless of religion,
the reason is that women say that sex with a circumcised man
is longer, stronger, better for them and cleaner, so the men
are more likely to get sex by being circumcised. |
Keeping
An Uncircumcised Penis Clean
Smegma
Specialized sebaceous glands - Tyson's Glands - which are located
on the glans under the foreskin, are largely inactive in childhood.
At puberty, Tyson's Glands produce an oily substance, which, when
mixed with shed skin cells, constitute adult smegma. Adult smegma
serves a protective, lubricating function for the glans. When
this begins to build it is good to clean underneath the foreskin.
Foreskin
Hygiene
The foreskin is easy to care for. An uncircumcised man should
bathe frequently to keep the risk of infection down.
Cost Of
The Procedure
Circumcision
is amongst the 40 most frequently performed surgical procedures,
occurring more commonly than tooth extraction.
Most health insurance will cover circumcision for any of the conditions
listed above except cosmetic appearance. Fees will vary from patient
to patient depending on the degree of complexity, however a good
approximation is $1000.
What Type Of Practitioner Does An Adult Circumcision?
For
adults a urological surgeon will often be the person to consult
with, or a general surgeon. Again, being so simple, there may
be other doctors who are not surgeons who can do it. So to find
someone, think about who you might ask first from your own knowledge
and contacts. It could be your local doctor. There are also men's
health centers/clinics that specialize in such male-specific matters,
and are used to handling enormous numbers of inquiries from men
who want to get circumcised. So if you are an uncircumcised male
and think this is what you want, don't be shy ... ask!
I
hope that this article has provided education about circumcision
with an objective vantage. In general circumcision is a low risk
procedure that provides positive benefits. Whether a man should
have one as an adult is a personal decision that he should make
based on weighing the pros and cons not only mentioned in this
article but also within his own personal situation. Hopefully
the information provided here will help in the decision-making
process.
News
Update:
Male Circumcision Reduces Some Health Risks
News
released in March 2009 shows that a new study from the New England
Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has shown that circumcision can significantly
reduce their risk of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the
cause of genital herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which
can cause cancer and genital warts. The study also showed that
circumcision has no effect on their risk of becoming infected
with the bacterium that causes syphilis.
Read
the original article- PhysOrg.com
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The
Holistic Wisdom Corporation