The effect of male circumcision on the sexual enjoyment of the female partner

the surface of the glans thickens like a callus. The glans Introduction is innervated by free nerve endings that can only sense deep pressure and pain [13]. Over 30 years ago, Masters Male circumcision, the most commonly performed surgery in the USA, removes 33–50% of the penile skin, as and Johnson, using undocumented methodology, tested the sensitivity of the glans in men with and without well as nearly all of the penile fine-touch neuroreceptors [1]. To date no study has investigated whether this foreskins and found no diCerence [14]. The absence of fine-touch receptors in the glans could explain their dramatic alteration in the male genitalia aCects the sexual pleasure experienced by the female partner or findings, as Masters and Johnson may have been measuring the wrong variable. Without knowing what was whether women can physically discern the diCerence between a penis with or without a foreskin. The impact measured or how, these results constitute little more than anecdotal evidence. A study from Iowa in the late that male circumcision has on the overall sexual experience for either partner is unknown. 1980s [15] found that young mothers (who had recently given birth to sons) preferred intercourse with a circumJust as female circumcision was advocated in some Muslim and African countries to control women’s sexucised man; however, the importance of this study is compromised, as only 16.5% of the women surveyed ality, so too was male circumcision introduced into English-speaking countries in the late 1800s as a method had sexual experience with both circumcised and intact men. The study results may reflect the tendency of of treating and preventing masturbation [2]. While there has been debate over whether circumcision aCects the people to choose the familiar and shun the unfamiliar. In a survey conducted on the Internet, circumcised men sexual sensations of the penis, there have been few relevant studies. Four men circumcised in adulthood were significantly more likely to use additional artificial lubricants during sexual activity (odds ratio, OR=5.64, reported decreased sensitivity [3]. Writing under a pseudonym, a physician circumcised as an adult argued 95% CI=3.65–8.71) [16]. The 12th century physician and rabbi Moses that the loss of sensitivity he experienced was favourable, as it gave him more control over his orgasms [4]. Maimonides advocated male circumcision for its ability to curb a man’s sexual appetite [17]. Further, he implied that Another man, circumcised as an adult, lamented that the decrease in sensation could be equated with seeing it could also aCect a woman’s sexuality, indicating that once a woman had taken a lover who was not circumcised, in monochrome rather than colour. Laumann et al. [5] found that circumcised men had it was very hard for her to give him up. The impact of male circumcision on the sexual pleasure experienced by both diCerent sexual practices from genitally unaltered men. Circumcised men were more likely to masturbate, to males and females is largely unstudied. While the brain is often cited as the primary ‘sexual’ organ, what impact does engage in heterosexual anal and oral sex, and to engage in homosexual anal sex. In the male rat, removal of the surgical alteration of the male genitalia have for both partners? Based on anecdotal reports, a survey was develpenile sheath markedly interferes with normal penile reflexes and copulation. When circumcised rats were oped to determine the eCect of male circumcision on a woman’s ability to achieve vaginal orgasm (both single paired with sexually experienced females, they had more diBculty obtaining an erection, more diBculty inserting and multiple), to maintain adequate vaginal secretions, to develop vaginal discomfort, to enjoy coitus and to develop the penis into the vagina, and required more mounts to inseminate than did unaltered males [6]. Preputial an intimate relationship with her partner. This review presents the findings of a survey of women who have had secretions in mice and rats are a strong attractant for female mice and rats [7–11], and may provoke the onset sexual partners both with and without foreskins, and reports their experiences. of oestrus in mature females [12]. There may be a histological explanation for these findings. The tip of the foreskin, and some or all of the Methods frenulum, are routinely removed as part of circumcision. This tissue contains a high concentration of the nerve Women having sexual experience with both circumcised and anatomically complete partners were recruited endings that sense fine touch [1]. After circumcision,