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Circumcision
Circumcision
is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the fold of skin that surrounds
the glans of the penis. As a result of circumcision the glans of the
penis is fully exposed when the penis is flaccid. The procedure can be
performed at any age, but in Western societies it is usually done
shortly after birth.
Not all males undergo
circumcision. Today, it is done primarily for religious and cultural
reasons. Another reason for circumcision is related to hygiene. Removal
of the foreskin is said to help prevent the build up of a white, cheesy
secretion that can possibly lead to irritation, infection, or offensive
odor. This substance, called smegma, is a natural secretion from the
glands in the coronal area of the penis and can accumulate under the
foreskin of an uncircumcised penis. However, this accumulation can
easily be avoided simply by moving the foreskin back and washing the
area daily. Thus, circumcision can seem like a rather extreme remedy
purely for the avoidance of smegma. Perhaps this custom has persisted
because it has been suggested that smegma may be responsible for
transferring a virus that may encourage cervical cancer. Although the
rate of cancer of the cervix has been shown by some researchers to be
considerably lower in the spouses of circumcised men, it is not certain
that this is a cause-effect relationship. In any event, uncircumcised
men7 who practice routine hygienic care (as well as their partners) are
unlikely to be at any major health risk. Many parents who recognize that
there is apparently no medical advantage to circumcision are now
choosing not to have their sons circumcised.
There is no evidence to
suggest that circumcision has any effect on male sexual functioning one
way or another. Opponents of routine circumcision argue that removing
the foreskin lessens the sexual sensitivity of the glans since it
constantly rubs directly against clothing. There is simply no evidence
demonstrating that circumcision makes a difference to sexual excitement,
erection, and the ability to reach orgasm or the ability to have a
pleasing and complete sex life with a partner.
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Sex
