I am in Italy, I'd like to know if circumcision for men is good or not, as in my country it is not common.
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In the US, it's starting to become more of a parent choice rather than a medical reason (such as reducing infection, reduces spread of STDs). It can be a very painful procedure, so if you don't feel it's medically necessary, you may not wish to have it done.
girls dont get circumsized., but its ok for boys(here in america)
easier to clean
In most European countries, if you are not Jewish, it is uncommon.
In the United States of America, it is common, regardless of religion. There are many Jewish and Catholic men that are circumcised.
Most guys in the world are uncircumcised, and it even has plenty of benefits. In fact, if you had problems with it I'm sure you'd know. I've never had a problem with cleanliness or infections, ever. It takes five seconds to clean when you shower. Circumcision is a traditionally Jewish and Muslim procedure, although it was introduced and encouraged to the Western, developed world as a way to stop masturbation, especially with the help of Dr. Kellogg. (see link 1) However, although scientific studies have discovered that circumcision harms masturbation by up to over 60% (2), needless to say, it doesn’t completely stop masturbation. Many circumcised guys find it more convenient to use a commercial lubricant as a result (3) since the typically moist foreskin that is like the eyelids is not present to rub the glans with (4).
Most developed nations quickly rejected circumcision after noticing its ineffectiveness against masturbation, and as a result the United States remains the last developed nation doing it to a significant percentage of newborns. (5) This was done as a result of the for-profit American health care system promoting myths about benefits of circumcision (6), such preventing penile cancer (6a, 6b), preventing HIV (6c, 6d) despite the USA being the developed nation with the highest HIV rates and circumcision rates (6e, 5), and preventing STDs (6d, 6f). As a result, circumcision is now brings in hundreds of millions of dollars to doctors and the American health system. (7)
However, circumcision has been becoming less popular as years have passed by. In the 1960s over 90% of guys were circumcised in the USA, now circumcision rates are as low as 14% in some states. (8) More and more parents are discovering that circumcision carries more risks than benefits, and realize that by leaving their sons uncircumcised, they have the choice of choosing what they’d like, since the surgery is irreversible.
Circumcision risks include the loss of sexual pleasure according to multiple studies (2, 9, 10, 11). Those studies take into effect many sensation points, including the foreskin, and they involve many participants. There have been other studies that claim no difference, but they don’t even take into effect the nerve endings on the foreskin, which as seen in one study, are some of the most sensitive points on the penis (10). One study even found an increase in erectile dysfunction rates after circumcision (10a). In another study, it was found that females ended up reaching orgasm with and preferring uncircumcised males in 9 out of 10 cases (10b). In addition, circumcision is extremely painful on newborns (12, 13, 14), and you risk many bad conditions, such as a buried penis when too much foreskin is removed and limits the size of the penis (15), or adhesions or skin bridges that develop from the head to the shaft when the skin heals after the surgery (16), meatal stenosis [occurs in up to 10% of circumcised males!] when the opening of the penis becomes irritated from too much exposure and rubbing and begins to close up (17), and meatal ulcers (18). All those risks are, of course, not including the possibility of having too much skin removed, which can cause discomfort during erections due to lack of skin to allow the penis to expand, and could consequently cause a hairy penis by pulling pubic hair and skin to the shaft. Often a circumcision scar develops around the penis after circumcision. In addition, circumcision has negative effects on breastfeeding. (18)
To conclude, here is a link that describes the anatomy of the foreskin (19) and the development of the foreskin with infants, a link especially helpful for parents (19a). Ultimately, one survey found that although uncircumcised guys are a bit more satisfied percentage-wise, it’s within the margin of error. (20) The only difference is that those unsatisfied uncircumcised guys can simply get circumcised and end up satisfied either way. In addition, in one survey it was found that up to half of circumcised guys expressed concerns on wishing to have had the choice themselves. (21) That, along with the risks and negative effects that are being seen more with the help of the Internet, may be what is bringing down circumcision rates.
Im American but I prefer uncircumcized guys. I just like playing with them more and you dont need lubes that much. Ive had both and they both look almost the same when hard. so if you have no problems with it keep it! why risk it if it's not broken?
It is very beneficial. It's better when it comes to hygiene, It's better when it comes to health. Men that are circumcised are less likely to contract STDs or HIV. I was circumcised at 19 and I have no regrets. I'm not here to bash guys that are uncircumcised, because I used to be myself. However, since i have been on both sides of the issue I feel I would be better suited to answer this question than someone that's been one way all there life.
If there's nothing physically/medically wrong with the foreskin, then there's really not much benefit (if any) from getting circumcised.
Most studies find no significant difference between circumcised and uncircumcised men in regards to getting STDs/infections. While some recent research seems to show being circumcised might decrease the chances of contracting HIV, what's not publicized is that good genital hygiene essentially does the same thing (link 1). Also, a country's prostitution rate has a much greater effect on HIV contractions than circumcision rate (link 2). In any case, good genital hygiene + safe sex (i.e. condom) >>> circumcision.
Circumcision would also remove a lot of nerve endings in the foreskin that could otherwise contribute to sexual sensitivity (link 3). A poster above linked a study saying there's no difference in sensitivity, but that study only measured 2 points on the penis and didn't account for how sensitive the foreskin could be (link 4), so it's rather biased. Also, several studies indicate that the foreskin may be beneficial to the sexual satisfaction/pleasure of not only the man, but the woman as well (links 5, 6, 7).
So as long as your foreskin's working normally (which is the case in the vast majority of men), you maintain good genital hygiene (which is very easy), and you practice safe sex (which you should anyway), then there's really no benefit to getting circumcised. Besides, about 70-80% of the world's male population is uncircumcised, so there can't be anything wrong with that.
See the remaining links for further discussions/helpful opinions on the issue.
Stacy is absolutely right and I don't know why anyone would give her a thumbs down. Uncircumcised FEELS better.
Not common in most of Europe...most parts of the world actually. And you know the expression about Italian guys being great lovers? It's probably because they're not circumcised.
Girl circumcision is mutilation, and is only really practised in backwards parts of Africa. It is very bad.
Guy circumcision isn't as bad, because the guys can still function, but there are no real reasons. Personally as a girl I like uncircumcised better. The evidence about circumcised guys not being as likely to contract some STDs might be true, but it only decreases the risk very slightly, and you still have to practice safe sex. And just wash it carefully every day, it'll be fine.
Uncircumcised does feel better and is a lot more fun to play with. I have had both but would be disappojnted to find a guy had been circumcised.
much healthier especially in the age of STD's and AIDS
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