Department of Urology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
BJU Int. 2013 May;111(5):820-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2012.11761.x. Epub 2013 Feb 4.
WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: The sensitivity of the foreskin and its importance in erogenous sensitivity is widely debated and controversial. This is part of the actual public debate on circumcision for non-medical reason. Today some studies on the effect of circumcision on sexual function are available. However they vary widely in outcome. The present study shows in a large cohort of men, based on self-assessment, that the foreskin has erogenous sensitivity. It is shown that the foreskin is more sensitive than the uncircumcised glans mucosa, which means that after circumcision genital sensitivity is lost. In the debate on clitoral surgery the proven loss of sensitivity has been the strongest argument to change medical practice. In the present study there is strong evidence on the erogenous sensitivity of the foreskin. This knowledge hopefully can help doctors and patients in their decision on circumcision for non-medical reason.
To test the hypothesis that sensitivity of the foreskin is a substantial part of male penile sensitivity. To determine the effects of male circumcision on penile sensitivity in a large sample.
The study aimed at a sample size of ≈1000 men. Given the intimate nature of the questions and the intended large sample size, the authors decided to create an online survey. Respondents were recruited by means of leaflets and advertising.
The analysis sample consisted of 1059 uncircumcised and 310 circumcised men. For the glans penis, circumcised men reported decreased sexual pleasure and lower orgasm intensity. They also stated more effort was required to achieve orgasm, and a higher percentage of them experienced unusual sensations (burning, prickling, itching, or tingling and numbness of the glans penis). For the penile shaft a higher percentage of circumcised men described discomfort and pain, numbness and unusual sensations. In comparison to men circumcised before puberty, men circumcised during adolescence or later indicated less sexual pleasure at the glans penis, and a higher percentage of them reported discomfort or pain and unusual sensations at the penile shaft.
This study confirms the importance of the foreskin for penile sensitivity, overall sexual satisfaction, and penile functioning. Furthermore, this study shows that a higher percentage of circumcised men experience discomfort or pain and unusual sensations as compared with the uncircumcised population. Before circumcision without medical indication, adult men, and parents considering circumcision of their sons, should be informed of the importance of the foreskin in male sexuality.
检验假设，即包皮的敏感性是男性阴茎敏感性的重要组成部分。在大量样本中确定男性割礼对阴茎敏感性的影响。
研究的样本量约为 1000 名男性。考虑到问题的亲密性质和预期的大样本量，作者决定创建一个在线调查。通过传单和广告招募受访者。
分析样本包括 1059 名未割礼和 310 名割礼男性。对于龟头，割礼男性报告性快感降低和高潮强度降低。他们还表示需要更多的努力才能达到高潮，并且他们中有更高比例的人经历了异常感觉（龟头灼热、刺痛、瘙痒或刺痛和麻木）。对于阴茎干，割礼男性更多地描述了不适和疼痛、麻木和异常感觉。与青春期前割礼的男性相比，青春期或以后割礼的男性报告龟头的性快感降低，并且他们中有更高比例的人报告阴茎干不适或疼痛和异常感觉。
本研究证实了包皮对阴茎敏感性、整体性满足和阴茎功能的重要性。此外，本研究表明，与未割礼人群相比，更多的割礼男性经历不适或疼痛和异常感觉。在没有医学指征的情况下进行割礼之前，成年男性和考虑为儿子割礼的父母应被告知包皮在男性性健康中的重要性。
