Specialists have outlined how circumcision may influence a man’s sex life, drawing on a range of studies published over the years.
In the US, the rate of newborn circumcision has fallen to under half of babies by 2022, a drop from a little over 54 percent in 2012.
The figures vary depending on region and population groups, and some men also choose to undergo circumcision as adults, most commonly for medical reasons.
Hussain Alnajjar, a consultant urological surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic in London, spoke to the Mail about possible health effects linked to circumcision, including how it can relate to sex and intimacy.
One of the more common reasons men may need the procedure is phimosis, where the foreskin is too tight to retract over the glans (head) of the penis.
Alnajjar said many cases are connected to lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory skin condition that can affect the head of the penis and surrounding tissue.
He explained that urine can be a trigger for the condition, which can then interfere with sexual activity and comfort.
Alnajjar explained to the Mail: “Urine is toxic to the skin – and when an uncircumcised man goes to the loo, some of it can get trapped under the skin, causing chronic inflammation.
“In time, that inflammation causes a build-up of scar tissue in the foreskin which makes it tight.
“Many men find this adversely affects their sex life because erections can be painful.”
For men dealing with phimosis, circumcision can therefore relieve symptoms and, in some cases, improve sexual comfort.
He added that worries about altered sensitivity are among the most frequent issues men raise when a medical circumcision is advised, though he suggested these concerns are often overstated.
While increased sensitivity can occur, the surgeon said it is relatively uncommon and that most patients adapt over time.
As Alnajjar indicated, experiences can differ significantly from person to person. Some men report less sensitivity during sex after circumcision, while others report little to no change.
A 2013 review published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine also argued that circumcision is unlikely to be a deciding factor in overall sexual wellbeing, reporting no meaningful differences in sexual function, sensation, satisfaction, or pleasure between men with and without foreskin.
Experts also note that changes can be noticed by partners as well, depending on individual anatomy and preferences.