Does Circumcision Impair Men’s Sexual Sensitivity?

Circumcision, the surgical removal of the foreskin tissue that covers the head (glans) of the penis, elicits strong emotions. Whenever I’ve discussed the robust literature showing that it causes men no sexual harm, the feedback—overwhelmingly from opponents—has been vitriolic, even threatening.

Opponents argue that the foreskin is rich in touch-sensitive nerves, and therefore, circumcision must reduce the penis’ sexual sensitivity, impairing erotic function, orgasm, and satisfaction. Proponents counter that circumcision has no measurable impact on men’s sexuality and that it offers important medical benefits, notably reduced risk of AIDS and several sexually transmitted vaginal infections.

Recently, two studies have added to the substantial literature showing that circumcision does not impair men’s sexual pleasure.

The Largest, Most Comprehensive Review Ever

Investigators at the Universities of Washington and Sydney, Australia, identified 94 research papers published during the 20 years from 1997 to 2018 involving more than 50,000 men. Their conclusion: “For men circumcised shortly after birth or during childhood, the consensus of the highest quality research is that the procedure has no adverse effect.”

Notice that the conclusion mentioned the studies’ quality. The researchers sorted the studies based on methodological rigor: number of participants, randomization, research design, and blinding of participants and researchers. The highest-quality studies showed no sexual impact. Only the poor-quality studies showed any loss of sexual pleasure. The upshot: Circumcision does not impair men’s sexual function or pleasure.

Erotic Sensation

Researchers at 10 U.S. medical centers used the Internet to survey 402 men—227 circumcised, 175 not. Participants viewed medical illustrations of the penis with arrows pointing to 12 possibly erotic spots. The men rated their pleasure from having each spot caressed on a scale from 1 to 10, with higher ratings indicating more pleasure. The men were also asked to describe their orgasms under various sexual circumstances: hand massage, fellatio, and intercourse. The researchers concluded: “There were no significant differences in pleasure ratings between circumcised and uncircumcised men. There were no significant differences in orgasm quality between the two groups.”

Opponents Misunderstand the Body and Lovemaking

Despite considerable evidence of no sexual harm, circumcision opponents remain adamant that the procedure must compromise men’s sexuality.

This argument is mistaken on three counts:

• Physiologists have measured the erotic sensitivity of the various parts of the penis. The most sexually sensitive areas are the glans and the underside of the shaft near the glans—not the foreskin. Circumcision has no effect on the erotic responsiveness of the penis’ two most sensitive spots.
• Some men believe that sex happens only in the penis and only during intercourse. If that were true, circumcision might well impair sensitivity. But great sex is a whole-body experience. Sexologists agree that the best lovemaking results from leisurely, playful, whole-body massage that includes the genitals but is not fixated on them. The penis is certainly important to men’s sexual pleasure, but so is every square inch of skin surface from the scalp to the toes. The foreskin represents only a small part of the penis and only a tiny proportion of men’s total, erotically excitable skin surface.
• The body is redundant. Evolution has equipped us with more capacity than we typically need. We can get along fine on one kidney but we have two. One lung suffices, but we have two. Pet a cat with five fingers, then pet the cat with only four. You lose 20 percent of the touch-sensitive nerves in that hand, but petting the cat feels no different. The same goes for penile sensitivity. Men don’t need foreskins to enjoy ecstatic lovemaking.

Women Weigh In

The researchers who performed the 94-study analysis also analyzed 29 studies from around the world, asking women if they preferred their male sex partners to be circumcised or intact. “In the overwhelming majority of studies, women preferred circumcised penises. Their main reasons: better appearance, better hygiene, reduced risk of sexual infections, and enhanced enjoyment of hand jobs, fellatio, and vaginal intercourse.”

Several of the studies in this review asked women if they preferred their sons intact or circumcised. Some polled women in countries where circumcision is the norm, others in countries where it is not. No matter what the proportion of men circumcised in the different locales, the mothers preferred to have their sons circumcised because it reduces the risk of AIDS and other sexual infections.

By the Way

Worldwide, an estimated one-third of men are circumcised. Judaism and Islam require it, so in Israel and across the Muslim world the practice is virtually universal. Circumcision is also popular in the U.S. and Asia, but less so in Europe, Latin America, and non-Muslim Africa.

Circumcision’s medical benefits have prompted some religious Jews and Muslims to claim that their ancient faiths were medically prescient and required circumcision to protect adherents’ health. However, authorities in both religions insist that the practice has always been an act of religious faith and that its medical benefits, while welcome, are coincidental.