The foreskin is a purposeful, integral part of a man’s body.
What does the foreskin do?
The foreskin plays a significant role in penile health:
- Protection – The human foreskin is a specialised dual-layer tissue.
If you were to unfold a foreskin to lie flat, it would measure up to around 15 square inches. The outer foreskin protects the glans penis, retains sexual fluids during intercourse, and maintains sensitivity so it is ever-ready to respond to stimuli.
It protects the glans from rubbing against clothing which can cause pain, discomfort and damage. It is generally recognised that there is a permanent change or diminishing in the sensitivity of the glans once the foreskin is cut off. -
Sensation – The foreskin is the primary fine-touch sensory tissue of the penis.
The foreskin’s ridged band is built to trigger ejaculation as part of a functional whole that includes the frenulum, glans and urethra.“The ridged band is important for sexual joy. No one has a right to take that away from someone.” Roger Collier
- Nerve endings transmit sensations to the brain – Fewer nerve endings mean altered sensation.
Circumcision removes the most important sensory component of the foreskin – thousands of coiled fine-touch receptors called Meissner’s corpuscles. Also lost with the removal of the foreskin are branches of the dorsal nerve and between 10,000 and 20,000 specialized erotogenic nerve endings of several types. Together, these detect subtle changes in motion and temperature and fine gradations in texture. - The gliding function – The mobile skin provides a gliding function during sexual intercourse and contributes to the overall sensations. This also creates prevents abrasion and stops lubricating fluids from drying as quickly during intercourse. Without this gliding action, the corona of the circumcised penis can function as a one-way valve, scraping vaginal lubricants out into the drying air and making artificial lubricants necessary for some people during intercourse.
- Immune functionality – Within the inner mucosal layer there are immune cells. These play a role in the immune system’s functions. The foreskin produces anti-microbial agents, including Langerhans cells.
Foreskin Education
A young boy’s foreskin is usually attached to the glans (head) of the penis until as late as 17 years old, however generally it is much sooner (up to around 5 years old for most boys). During this time there are adhesions that attach the inner layer of the foreskin and the glans. This is normal and will seperate naturally. Do not try to pull back the foreskin before it is ready, only the child should attempt this.
DO NOT allow anyone to forcibly retract the foreskin if there is any discomfort or pain. This can damage the delicate tissue and cause scarring. The scars can then cause problems later on in life due to the lack of elasticity. Remember – only clean what is seen.
Unless there is a medical concern, the foreskin of a child is best left alone.
After separation, the oily glands beneath the foreskin produce a thick, white substance called smegma, which must be carefully and regularly washed away. This is an indication that there has been separation.
The foreskin should be easily retractable if it has separated from the glans.
If you are past puberty and still have a tight foreskin, get in touch with our foreskin friendly doctor for help and advice in treating phimosis. Most concerns can be resolved with non-invasive methods that will not necessitate surgery.
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Structure of the penis
- The outer foreskin layer is a continuation of the skin of the shaft of the penis.
- The inner foreskin layer is not just ‘skin,’ but mucocutaneous tissue of a unique type found nowhere else on the body.
- The ridged band is the interface (join) between the outer and inner foreskin layers.
When the penis is not erect, it tightens to narrow the foreskin opening.
During an erection, the ridged band forms ridges that go all the way around, about halfway down the shaft.
The reddish or purplish glans or glans penis (head of the penis) is smooth, shiny, moist and extremely sensitive. - The frenulum, or frenum, is a connecting membrane on the underside of the penis, similar to that beneath the tongue.
Foreskin is a valuable sensory organ
The foreskin is not a birth defect or accident. It is not redundant tissue without function or benefits. The fully intact foreskin is nature’s default setting and normal appearance. There is some natural variation in the length of the foreskin, and some may be longer or shorter than your peers.
The ethics of removing the foreskin (Circumcision)
Like any healthy, functioning tissue or part of the body, the foreskin should not be removed without the fully-informed consent of the individual involved or without a sound medical reason.
It is important to remember that whenever a child is circumcised, one of the losses is his choice to make decisions about his own body and his own sex life when he becomes an adult.
The practice of circumcision must be considered ethically, especially when a person cannot consent to a procedure that modifies the body.
From a medical standpoint, professionals must remember the principle of ‘do no harm’.
This is one of the fundamentals of modern medical ethics worldwide.
The four pillars of medical ethics are:
- Beneficence (doing good)
- Non-maleficence (to do no harm)
- Autonomy (giving the patient the freedom to choose freely, where they are able)
- Justice (ensuring fairness)
Arguments can be raised as to how circumcision fits in to these categories. Find out more in detail here.
The supposed benefits of circumcision as just too small to justify surgery, we urge you to think of the adult that the child will become and how they may react to the procedure and the loss of autonomy.
If a patient is an adult, it ought to be ensured they are made aware of all possible complications and the impacts of the procedure.
Only this way can it be considered truly informed consent.
Modern Western circumcision practices gained popularity due to the hostility towards masturbation and sexuality as well as religious ideals of purity.
You can read our timeline on the history of circumcision for more details. This included delusions about congenital phimosis, fear of diseases like syphilis and numerous types of cancer.
Circumcision gained traction in the western world and still continues in general practice to stay in the USA following the two world wars and from the medicalisation of childbirth and the for-profit healthcare sector.
The importance of both obstetricians/gynecologists and the military in the promotion of circumcision in the USA cannot be underestimated.
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