The foreskin also plays a mechanical-lubrication role. It serves as a gliding sheath during masturbation or sexual activity, rendering the quality of the friction between the man and his partner more gentle, less abrasive. This is useful to the woman, especially with prolonged intercourse and especially with age, when she provides less liquid lubrication. With circumcision, this natural gliding mechanism is lost. The fact that the foreskin in infancy is usually non-retractile serves to protect the baby s glans penis from urine and feces during the period that he is incontinent.
Women have a foreskin as well, which covers and protects their clitoris.
It is alternatively referred to as the clitoral foreskin, clitoral prepuce, or clitoral hood. Penile development Development of the foreskin is incomplete in the newborn male child, and separation from the glans, making it retractable, does not usually occur until some time between 9 months and 3 years. Infant circumcision interrupts natural penile development. The uncircumcised penis is easy to keep clean. No special care is required.