Controversy rages on the subject of circumcision and its effects on a man’s sex life, so it is worth a mention here. Circumcision is an operation carried out to remove the foreskin and so leave the penis head uncovered all the time. Circumcision is now a rare operation and is usually only carried out for medical or religious reasons. Routine circumcision is a thing of the past, but its decline has been accompanied by a rise in cases of urinary infections in boys. There is absolutely no problem in having a foreskin left intact when it comes to sexual functioning provided that the man keeps the head of the penis underneath the foreskin clean. This is not only more pleasant for the woman who may want to kiss or suck the penis, but is also thought to be safer because it has been found that the wives of uncircumcised men are more likely to get cancer of the cervix than those who are married to circumcised men.

When it comes to sex and circumcision, men vary greatly in their views on the subject. Some uncircumcised men claim that because the head of the penis is covered all the time it is more sensitive and so gives them more pleasure and some circumcised men claim that because their penis head is rubbing against things (underpants usually) all the time it becomes de-sensitized and so allows them to enjoy longer vaginal stimulation before they reach orgasm. Clinical experience shows that whether or not a man has a foreskin seems to make very little, if any, difference to his enjoyment of sex. Obviously if the foreskin is so tight that it cannot be pulled back and it hurts him, it would make sense to discuss it with a doctor. However, medical views about circumcision are also very varied. If the foreskin can easily be pulled back at five (do not fiddle with it before) and boys are taught to pull it back to wash underneath, this is all that is needed for health and future sexual pleasure.

Sometimes an uncircumcised man can find that his foreskin becomes trapped behind the head of the penis if it is tight. This can be painful and distressing but it is possible to try a DIY treatment before seeking medical help. Soak a large handkerchief in very cold water and apply it to the affected area. Hold it in place tightly for a few minutes. Then pull the foreskin forwards using the hanky held firmly in place. If this doesn’t do the trick after one or to goes get medical help.

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