Foreskin Sexual Function/Circumcision Sexual Dysfunction.
The human foreskin is highly innervated, and vascularized sensitive erogenous tissue. It plays an important role in normal human sexual response and is necessary for normal copulatory behavior.
An understanding of this role is now emerging in the scientific literature. Removal of the foreskin (circumcision) interferes with normal sexual function.
An understanding of this role is now emerging in the scientific literature. Removal of the foreskin (circumcision) interferes with normal sexual function.
This page brings together, in one place, scattered material relevant to the study of the role of the foreskin in human sexuality, and the dysfunction caused by its amputation.
Summary of the literature.
Protection. The foreskin in the adult male either partially or completely covers the glans penis. The foreskin protects the glans penis from friction and from dryness. The foreskin maintains the sub-preputial space in a state of wetness with prostatic, vesicular and urethral secretions. The glans penis is covered with mucosa, not skin, so the wetness is essential for optimum health.
Mechanical function. The foreskin provides mechanical functions to facilitate intromission and penetration. Several authorities observe that the penis enters the vagina without friction as the foreskin unfolds.
Elasticity. The foreskin has a layer of smooth muscle tissue called the peripenic muscle, which is part of the dartos muscle. The contraction and expansion of the muscle fibers in this layer give the foreskin great elasticity and are important in erogenous sensation.
Erogenous tissue. the foreskin is heavily innervated even at birth and before. The foreskin is a specific erogenous zone with nerve endings near the surface of the ridged band arranged in rete ridges. The foreskin is noted for its sensory pleasure. Circumcision, therefore, diminishes sexual sensation.
Impotence and sexual dysfunction. The nerves in the foreskin apparently provide an impulse to aid erection. Circumcision has long been associated with an increased incidence of impotence.
Premature ejaculation. Lakshmanan & Prakash (1980) report that the foreskin impinges against the corona glandis during coitus. The foreskin, therefore, tends to protect the corona glandis from direct stimulation by the vagina of the female partner during coitus.
Inability to ejaculate or delayed ejaculation. While some circumcised males may suffer from a tendency toward premature ejaculation, others find that they have great difficulty in ejaculating. The nerves in the foreskin and ridged band are stimulated by stretching, amongst other movements.
Loss of sexual pleasure. Denniston reported that some circumcised men would not have the operation again because of loss of sexual pleasure.
Sexual behaviour. The alteration to the sexual organ causes many circumcised males to change their sexual behaviour. Foley reported that circumcised males are more likely to masturbate.
Value to female partners. The foreskin has long been known to be valuable to the female partner. The presence of the foreskin is reported to be stimulating to the female. Women are more likely to experience vaginal dryness during sex with a circumcised partner.
Recent studies. "Circumcision was associated with frequent orgasm difficulties in Danish men and with a range of frequent sexual difficulties in women, notably orgasm difficulties, dyspareunia and a sense of incomplete sexual needs fulfilment."
Library Holdings. Documents are indexed in the approximate chronological order of publication.
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