Fore & Against: Foreskin 101 (probs NSFW)

I’m passionate about foreskins. I think they’re a wonderful, sensitive and multipurpose part of the genitals which are severely underrated and misunderstood. If I could, I’d request foreskins for all. I’d give them as birthday presents and leave them in stockings for people at Christmas (too far?). But, I’m going to leave aside the moral debate about circumcision and focus on the practical and sexual aspects, to give some ideas on what to do (and what not to do) to both cut and uncut guys:

What is the foreskin?

The foreskin is a natural part of the penis. It is basically a double-layered fold of skin that covers and protects the head (glans) of the penis and urethra. It extends beyond the head when the penis is flaccid, and usually retracts to expose the head when the penis is erect. It is comparable to the clitoral hood (the small piece of skin which covers and protects the clitoris) in females. It’s very elastic and movable but, like the clitoral hood, is connected to the glans by a small piece of skin called the frenulum. The foreskin has heaps of specialised sensory nerve endings and erogenous tissue, making it super sensitive and it provides a ‘gliding’ action over the penis, which can make intercourse and other stimulation smoother and more enjoyable for all involved. 

What is circumcision?

Circumcision is a medical procedure in which the foreskin is separated and cut from the penis. It is most commonly performed on baby boys before 3 months of age, usually for religious or cultural reasons.

Goods & Bads of Circumcision

Leaving aside the moral debate around whether routine circumcision of babies is the right thing to do or not (because that gets real heated, real quick), here are a few extra things to think about:

HIV risk: Circumcision has been found to be a good, affordable option in the fight against the spread of HIV in Africa and other countries with high HIV rates, although not necessarily more affordable than condoms (and definitely not as effective). For developed countries such as Australia, the UK and the USA, condoms are still the best way to reduce the chances of HIV transmission, and routine circumcision has very little impact.

STIs: As for other sexually transmissible infections, there is some evidence that circumcised men are at lesser risk of getting these nasties, but this is also inconclusive. Your best protection will be condoms and lube.

Sexual Function: Being circumcised at an early age does not necessarily an impact on sexual function, but there may be some differences in sensitivity between those who are cut and those who are uncut. When the foreskin is removed, the glans of the penis is constantly exposed, and therefore becomes somewhat more desensitised to touch and feeling. This can have an impact on how you or your male partner likes to be touched – how firm or soft, how fast or slow, how much lube is required – so keep communicating and find out what works for the both of you.

What to do with cut/uncut guys

You might be a bit scared the first time you see a cut or uncut penis, depending on what you’re used to. For both types, there are a few things to remember and some tips to make the most of whatever he’s got going on:

CUT:

Lube it up: The foreskin provides a natural ‘gliding’ movement for the penis, so without it you’ll need a bit of help – use plenty of water based lube to stop the friction getting out of control and reduce irritation. It’ll also be more comfortable for the receiving partner, and flavoured lubes can be awesome for oral sex.

Hold on tight: Be firmer with his penis. And I don’t mean getting all 50 shades on him, but think about the reduced sensitivity he may have, and get into it. If you’re giving oral sex, incorporate your hands to make sure it’s firm enough. Check in with him to ask if he wants it firmer/looser, harder/softer, or slower/faster and change your style accordingly.

Scar tissue that I wish you saw: Each guy that’s been circumcised is left with some amount of scar tissue, usually around the side of the penis where the ‘frenulum’ would have connected to foreskin to the glans. For some, this will be a spot which has little to no feeling, but for others it will be a particularly sensitive spot.

UNCUT:

Keep it clean: Cleanliness really is the key here, and is one of the most common arguments used for circumcision (“it’s cleaner”). Without regular washing, a build-up of white/yellowish creamy discharge called smegma can build up, which is perfectly normal but may cause a strange smell, taste & irritation. There are many simple ways to keep the penis healthy, and a quick shower is really a great start. Pull the foreskin back gently and run mild, soapy water over the head and shaft of the penis, to get it in tip-top shape. Or, just have a shower together before you get down to it. Any excuse.

Start slow: Because the head/glans of his penis is all snug and protected inside the foreskin most of the time, take it slow until you’ve worked out how sensitive he is under there – some guys will be super sensitive and won’t like to be touched too directly, while others will require some more intense stimulation. Suss it out before you dive right on in.

Use the foreskin: As the foreskin is full of sensory tissue and nerve endings, use it in a few different ways for maximum awesome. Don’t be afraid to play with it, gently tug on it, hold it in your mouth, and slip your tongue inside it. It’s usually so sensitive all over, it’s a shame to waste it. But, as always, try to work out if your partner wants you to go further or isn’t enjoying it – if you’re not able to talk about it, check to see if he’s squirming or pulling away or whether he seems to be enjoying it.

The bottom line is: penises are great, and all are different. Some people have preferences about whether they like their partners to be cut or uncut, but that's a very personal decision and one which is usually based on experience, rather than functionality or truth. We also don't see a wide variety of penises in porn or sex ed (which, let's be honest, is about the extent of most of our learning about human sexuality), so we don't know what's "normal" or what we "should" look like or enjoy. Although I might sound like a broken record sometimes, regardless of whether your partner has a foreskin or not, just communicate with each other (in whatever way works for you) and you'll find a way to bring max. pleasure & awesome sex to you both.

 

Check out Vice's awesome article asking people if they prefer cut or uncut - the variety of opinions are awesome!