Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised: Is One Better Than the Other?

Health, hygiene, and appearance differ slightly between circumcised and uncircumcised penises. Circumcision makes cleaning easier and slightly lowers infection risk. However, it can also make the penis very sensitive and easily irritated. Appearance mostly comes down to cultural or personal preference. And, with proper washing, uncircumcised penises can be kept just as clean.

Circumcision means surgically removing the foreskin, while an uncircumcised penis keeps it. The United Nations estimates that about 30% of males worldwide are circumcised. Circumcision is elective and not usually medically necessary, so parents should do what they believe is best for their child.

Hygiene

Hygiene is often one of the top considerations when deciding whether or not to circumcise. While circumcision can make cleaning the penis easier, an uncircumcised penis can be kept just as clean with proper washing and hygiene habits.

Uncircumcised: Smegma, a mixture of skin cells, oils, and moisture, can accumulate under the foreskin if not cleaned regularly. It can be difficult to remove, especially if the foreskin is too tight to retract (phimosis). Smegma often appears crumbly or cheesy, has an unpleasant odor, and can harden and stick to the skin with excessive buildup.

A bacterial or fungal infection under the foreskin can lead to a number of inflammatory conditions, such as:

• Balanitis: Inflammation of the head of the penis
• Balanoposthitis: Inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis
• Meatitis: Inflammation of the opening of the urethra (meatus)
• Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra

Smegma buildup is more common in people with uncircumcised penises, but it can usually be prevented with daily washing. If it does build up, over-the-counter treatments can help. In children with phimosis, healthcare providers often recommend circumcision to lower the risk of infections.

Circumcised: Without a foreskin, the head of the penis remains exposed, making it easier to keep clean and prevent smegma buildup. Circumcision lowers the risk of infections caused by trapped bacteria and also reduces the likelihood of certain sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Appearance

Some parents factor in appearance when deciding whether to circumcise their child. This is a personal choice, often shaped by culture and beliefs. Neither option makes the penis look objectively better or bigger.

Uncircumcised: An uncircumcised penis has a foreskin that covers the glans, keeping it protected when flaccid (soft). The foreskin retracts when the penis is erect. In some cultures, particularly where circumcision is less common, this is seen as normal, though personal preferences vary widely.

Circumcised: A circumcised penis has a permanently exposed glans. In some cultures, this is considered more visually appealing, especially in places where circumcision is the norm.

Sensation

Sensation is an important factor to consider. While some believe circumcision reduces sexual pleasure, most studies show minimal difference.

Uncircumcised: The foreskin contains nerve endings that may enhance sensation and sexual stimulation. Some believe an intact foreskin offers a more natural and pleasurable experience, but pleasure is highly subjective and varies from person to person.

Circumcised: Some studies suggest circumcision may slightly reduce sensitivity since the foreskin, which contains nerve endings, is removed. However, other research indicates that circumcised men experience similar levels of sexual pleasure.

Circumcision can also make the penis overly sensitive, especially in infants. The exposed glans may become irritated from friction against a diaper or exposure to urine. This can usually be relieved by applying petroleum jelly for a few days until it heals.

Sexual Performance

Sexual performance is an area where many myths exist about circumcision. Research has not been able to establish any major difference in sexual pleasure between uncircumcised and circumcised people.

Uncircumcised: Some people believe that being uncircumcised enhances sexual endurance, as the foreskin creates a barrier with the glans, reducing friction and stimulation. However, there is no strong evidence to support this claim.

Circumcised: Some studies suggest that people with a circumcised penis may have a slightly higher risk of premature ejaculation (PE), a condition where ejaculation happens sooner than desired. However, overall research is inconsistent, and circumcision does not appear to significantly affect sexual pleasure.

Fertility

While circumcision does not affect fertility, certain infections that can impact sperm are less common in circumcised men.

Uncircumcised: Having an uncircumcised penis does not affect fertility. With that being said, if hygiene is neglected, there is an increased risk of infections like human papilloma virus (HPV) or urethritis. These infections can, but don't always, affect sperm quality and fertility.

Circumcised: Research shows that circumcision reduces the risk of infections that can affect fertility. By lowering the risk of penile infections, it may indirectly support reproductive health.

Penile Medical Conditions

Both circumcised and uncircumcised men can experience penile medical conditions. However, research supports a slightly reduced risk of certain conditions in circumcised males.

Uncircumcised: There are a number of conditions that uncircumcised males are vulnerable to. In addition to an increased risk of infection, a foreskin will sometimes not retract as it's supposed to, leading to aggravating and potentially serious conditions known as:

• Phimosis: This occurs when the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the glands. This may cause pain during sex (dyspareunia) or make urination messy or difficult.
• Paraphimosis: This is a medical emergency in which the foreskin becomes trapped behind the head of the penis, blocking blood circulation. Unless treated immediately, the loss of blood flow can damage the penis and, on rare occasions, require surgical amputation.

A foreskin can also increase the risk of getting certain sexually transmitted infections, albeit in slightly different ways, including:

• HIV: Having a foreskin increases the risk of HIV by roughly 60%. This is because low-level inflammation under the foreskin draws immune cells, known as CD4 T cells, which HIV preferentially targets for infection.
• HPV: Having a foreskin may increase the risk of human papillomavirus tenfold. Compared to circumcised males, uncircumcised males tend to have a greater concentration of HPV under their foreskin.
• Genital herpes: Having a foreskin increases the risk of herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) by 30%. HSV-2 is the type of herpes most commonly linked to genital herpes.

Circumcised: Without a foreskin, a man cannot develop phimosis or balanoposthitis and is less likely to experience urinary tract infections (UTIs) or some sexually transmitted infections.

Medical conditions may arise after circumcision surgery, though. Postsurgical complications are rare and most often occur when the procedure is performed by a poorly trained nonmedical practitioner.

Possible complications include:

• Penile skin bridge: This occurs when the circumcision wound heals improperly, causing the skin on the shaft of the penis to become attached to the head of the penis.
• Urethrocutaneous fistula: This is a surgical injury that causes an abnormal opening (called a fistula) through which urine can leak from the penis.
• Secondary phimosis: This occurs when not enough foreskin is removed during the surgery, causing the remaining skin to constrict (narrow) and trap the head of the penis.
• Meatal stenosis: This is an injury to the urethra that causes the opening to narrow, increasing the risk of splashing, pain with urination (dysuria), or difficulty emptying the bladder (urinary retention).

Other Reasons Parents Choose One or the Other

Aside from hygiene, appearance, sensation, sexual performance, and penile health considerations, there are a few other considerations that may influence one's decision to circumcise. These include:

Religious and cultural traditions: Religion and culture play a significant role in the decision to circumcise and strongly influence personal beliefs and preferences. This is especially true in Muslim and Jewish families, where circumcision is a common practice.

Ethical concerns: Many parents choose against circumcision, viewing it as an unnecessary procedure on a child who cannot consent. While the procedure is painful, it is typically performed with local anesthesia to numb the area, but, like any medical procedure, it carries risks. Some people equate circumcision to "genital mutilation," seeing it as unethical and depriving the child of control over their own body.

Financial barriers: Since circumcision is not considered medically necessary, many insurers do not cover the cost. This can make the procedure expensive in some regions, deterring some people from choosing it for their infants.

Surgical risks: While rare, circumcisions pose a risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, and injury to the penis or urethra (the tube through which urine and semen exit the body).

Circumcision as an Adult

Although circumcision is most commonly performed in newborns, there are occasions when it is medically indicated in adults, such as for phimosis or paraphimosis. Others may opt to be circumcised if they experience pain during sex or if faced with recurrent balanitis or UTIs.

Others still may schedule revision surgery to correct a botched circumcision or decide to pursue circumcision for cosmetic, religious, or relationship reasons.

Whatever the reason, the procedure is largely the same as it is in babies, albeit with a few differences, as follows:

• General anesthesia is generally preferred to put you fully to sleep.
• Adult circumcisions are performed with either a scalpel or a device called a cutting stapler that removes the foreskin and seals the wound simultaneously.
• If a scalpel is used, the wound is most often closed with absorbable sutures (stitches) or electrocautery (which burns the skin with an electrical current).
• From start to finish, adult circumcisions take around 30 minutes to complete.

As long as there are no immediate complications, most people can return home on the day of the surgery. Recovery time can take anywhere from two to three weeks.

Summary

Neither circumcision nor lack of circumcision is inherently "bad" or "good." Each carries its own health benefits and risks, with uncircumcised penises being more vulnerable to infections and conditions like balanitis, phimosis, and paraphimosis.

Circumcision is generally safe but carries a small risk of infection and complications. However, it is not linked to loss of sensitivity, sexual function, or fertility, and the decision to circumcise is a personal one with no right or wrong choice.