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Circumcision in men Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, April 2009.

Answers to questions about circumcision in men

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

Will circumcision affect my ability to have an erection?

Circumcision should not affect your ability to have an erection.

Explanation

Male circumcision involves removing the foreskin from the penis. Your penis may feel more sensitive after being circumcised but it shouldn't affect your ability to have an erection.

If you are having problems with achieving or sustaining an erection (known as impotence) it's important to look at other factors that could be causing this.

Psychological problems such as feeling anxious, stressed or depressed can influence your sex drive and performance. Also, after a circumcision it's possible that you may be concerned about how your penis looks or worried about your partner's reaction.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol or being overweight can affect your ability to get and keep an erection. Certain medicines such as blood pressure tablets can also affect your performance.

Don't ignore the problem; make an appointment with your GP. You may feel embarrassed when you first go to discuss the issue with your doctor. Try not to be, impotence is a common sexual problem and affects at least one in every 10 men. Your doctor will be used to dealing with this.

Your doctor will ask about your general health and find out if there are any other factors in your life that could be causing impotence. If you are feeling anxious about your sex life, talking to a counsellor may help you identify the reasons for your anxiety. Your GP may be able to recommend or refer you to a reputable counsellor.

Further information

Sources

  • Impotence or erectile dysfunction. Sexual Dysfunction Association. www.sda.uk.net, accessed 30 January 2008
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Will the foreskin grow back?

No the foreskin will not grow back.

Explanation

The foreskin is the sleeve of skin that surrounds the head of the penis. The foreskin is always stuck to the head of the penis at birth, but it gradually separates and can usually be pulled back by the age of about three.

There are many conditions and diseases that can affect the foreskin, such as inflammation or infection resulting in scarring or a very tight foreskin. Circumcision is a simple operation to remove the foreskin from the penis. Once the foreskin is removed, it will not grow back.

There have been reported attempts to restore the foreskin but the procedures are still experimental and the long-term results are unknown. If you wish to have your foreskin restored, you should consult your GP who will refer you to a specialist.

Further information

Sources

  • Management of foreskin conditions. British Association of Paediatric Surgeons. www.baps.org.uk, accessed 1 February 2008
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Will circumcision cause premature ejaculation?

No a circumcision should not cause premature ejaculation.

Explanation

Premature ejaculation is when a man ejaculates (comes) sooner then he or his partner wishes. Ejaculation usually takes place within two minutes of sexual intercourse. Some men can last much longer and others will come much more quickly.

Your penis may feel more sensitive after having a circumcision but it shouldn't cause premature ejaculation.

If you are experiencing premature ejaculation and it's causing problems in your relationship then it's important to look at other factors that could be causing this.

There are medical conditions that can interfere with ejaculation such as changes in the prostate gland, diabetes and neurological disorders. Psychological problems such as feeling anxious or stressed can also influence ejaculation. For example you may ejaculate sooner than you want to if, during sex, you are in a hurry or scared of being discovered or heard by other people.

Don't ignore the problem; make an appointment with your GP. You may feel embarrassed when you first go to discuss the issue with your doctor. Try not to be, premature ejaculation is a common sexual problem and affects at least four in every 10 men. Your doctor will be used to dealing with this.

Your doctor will ask about your general health and find out if there are any other factors in your life that could be causing premature ejaculation. If you are feeling anxious about your sex life, talking to a counsellor may help you identify the reasons for your anxiety. Your GP may be able to recommend or refer you to a reputable counsellor.

Further information

Sources

  • Ejaculation problems. Sexual Dysfunction Association. www.sda.uk.net, accessed 6 February 2008
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Will circumcision protect me from HIV?

Removing the foreskin will not protect you from getting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or other sexually transmitted infections. You must practise safer sex and always use condoms when having sexual intercourse with new or casual partners.

Explanation

The HIV virus is passed from person to person through unprotected sex, from needles contaminated with infected blood, blood transfusion or organ donation from people with the virus, and from mother to baby.

It's thought that circumcision may help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections through heterosexual intercourse (sex between a man and woman). However, this is difficult to prove and it's considered more important that you practise safer sex. Always use a condom when having sexual intercourse with new or casual partners.

Condoms can help protect both partners against sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, genital warts, gonorrhoea and HIV.

Condoms are usually made of latex. If you are allergic to latex condoms, you can buy non-latex condoms instead (such as polyurethane).

Condoms are available for both men and women. A male condom is a thin sheath which is rolled onto an erect penis before sexual contact. A female condom is a thin, soft polyurethane pouch, which is fitted inside the vagina before sex. It has an inner ring that goes into the upper part of the vagina, and an outer one, which should be visible.

After sex, you should check the condom for leaks and tears before throwing it away - don't flush condoms down the toilet.

Further information

Sources

  • Rennie S, Muula AS, Westreich D. Male circumcision and HIV prevention: ethical, medical and public health tradeoffs in low-income countries. J Med Ethics 2007; 33:357-361
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: April 2009

 

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