Circumcised vs. uncut: Which is better for men?
Dr. James Elist, inventor of the Penuma penile implant for cosmetic enhancement revisits the polarizing topic of circumcision for men.
Male circumcision began thousands of years ago as a religious and cultural practice by ancient Egyptians and those of the Jewish faith. However, in the modern day, circumcision is a medical procedure practiced by far more than the people for whom it was originally culturally mandated.
An estimated 37-39% of males worldwide are circumcised, many of which are in Muslim-majority countries in Africa and the Middle East. In the United States, it is reported that 58% of newborn males are circumcised, with some variance due to region and demographic.
The benefits of circumcision
One of the main reasons why many individuals and parents choose circumcision is for hygiene purposes. It is generally accepted that it is easier and more straightforward for a circumcised man to practice good genital hygiene, as washing beneath the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis is more difficult.
With better hygiene, there is also less risk of urinary tract infections. Although the overall risk of UTIs in men is significantly lower overall than that in women, studies have shown that these infections are more common in uncircumcised males than in circumcised males. Since severe UTIs early in life can lead to kidney infections, preventing them is of the utmost importance.
Some studies have even shown that circumcised men might have lower rates of certain sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Of course, safe sex practices are still essential and are the only way to fully protect against STDs, but circumcision has the potential to make these protective measures — such as condoms — more effective.
Furthermore, men who are circumcised tend to have a decreased risk of penile problems, including cancer. Sometimes, uncircumcised men will experience a rare and painful condition called phimosis, in which the foreskin becomes difficult or even impossible to retract.
Circumcision can also have benefits for a man’s partner. For example, some studies have shown that there is a decreased risk of cervical cancer among women whose partner is circumcised compared to women whose partner is uncircumcised. Another study shows that many women prefer the appearance and “enhanced sexual performance” of a circumcised penis compared to an uncircumcised penis.
For men looking to receive penile enhancement surgeries, including the Penuma implant, circumcision is a requirement. Given the enhancement in penile girth during the process, the foreskin in uncircumcised patients may not retract, even in a flaccid state. As such, most penile enhancement surgeries cannot be completed on uncircumcised patients.
The risks of circumcision
Of course, as is the case with any medical procedure, circumcision has associated potential complications. Remember, circumcision is a surgery — so there are potential risks involved, such as bleeding, infection, and scarring. The circumcision procedure can also cause pain for the patient, particularly in the days immediately following the procedure.
Some patients have also complained about a reduction in sensitivity due to the circumcision procedure. However, this is largely a side effect of outdated medical procedures, as more modern circumcision techniques that remove the skin near the scrotal region have been found to have less effect on a man’s sensitivity.
Additionally, there are cultural and ethical considerations that must be taken into account. While some cultures favor or even mandate circumcision of males, others believe circumcision is unnecessary or violates a person’s right to bodily autonomy. It is important to consider one’s beliefs when deciding whether to get the circumcision procedure for oneself or their child.
Ultimately, circumcision is a personal decision that should be made by the patient or their parents. Understanding the benefits and potential consequences of the procedure is important to make an informed decision. Whether circumcision is right for you or your child depends on your needs and beliefs.
About Dr. James J. Elist
Dr. James J. Elist has spearheaded the outstanding service that Penuma has offered since 2004. Dr. James J. Elist has been in private practice in Beverly Hills, California, since 1982, where he specializes in impotency, male sexual dysfunction, and enlargement procedures and is highly regarded as one of the top urologists in the area. He offers the Penuma procedure in his Beverly Hills clinic.
Los Angeles Magazine designated Dr. Elist as “The Best Plastic Surgeon – Urologist” in Los Angeles on July 1998. The Office of Hearings & Appeals elected him to be a United States Government Medical Expert Witness in 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003. Dr. Elist has received the National Leadership Award and has been elected as Honorary Co-Chairman of the Physician Advisory Board of the United States Congress.
About Penuma
Penuma® is the first FDA-cleared penile implant for male cosmetic enhancement. Developed by world-renowned urologists and scientists, Penuma® has been successfully implanted in thousands of men since 2004. The procedure has been featured in various major publications and received an IRB-approved 5-year clinical study of over 400 Penuma® patients published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Sexual Medicine.
