As much as 77% of American males are circumcised. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis. However, circumcision is often a decision made on a person’s behalf, considering it typically happens after birth.
The question is: does it cause erectile dysfunction? Let’s find out.
The lowdown on erectile dysfunction
ED refers to the difficulty or complete and total lack of producing and/or maintaining an erection firm enough to have pleasurable, satisfying sex. Many physical causes lead to ED, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes, among others. These diseases hinder or affect cardiovascular function. Additionally, psychological causes such as anxiety, stress, and depression may play a role in ED.
Because ED has a variety of potential causes, identifying the exact reason why a person is experiencing symptoms can be difficult. Most individuals with ED are prescribed erectile dysfunction medications that boost blood flow to help them produce and maintain harder, longer-lasting erections, but these drugs don’t cure the underlying medical conditions that cause ED.
That said, treating the root cause of ED is the best way to improve erectile function and reduce ED symptoms immensely. Managing diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, for instance, can dramatically reduce ED outcomes.
However, how do you treat the root cause if it arises from a circumcision performed in a person’s infanthood?
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A quick rundown on circumcision
Circumcision is literally the most ancient surgical procedure recorded in human history, with evidence dating as far back as millennia, all the way to the 23rd century BCE.
Estimates predict that about one in three men are circumcised as a result of personal, religious, cultural, or traditional reasons. In the United States, it is estimated that the number of circumcised men ranges between 77% to 92% of all men.
Circumcision is a relatively fast and simple process generally performed within the first 10 days of birth and done at the hospital, birthing facility, or nursery where the child was born.
Why do people get circumcised?
Circumcision is often linked to Islamic and Jewish religious rites of passage. However, circumcision does have its share of beneficial effects on health that have made its practice spread to other religions and secular/non-religious people alike.
Circumcision may improve penile hygiene, reduce the likelihood of contracting urinary tract infections and sexually-transmitted infections, prevent cancer rates in female sexual partners, and prevent a host of viral infections in the penis from happening.
On the other hand, critics claim that the benefits of circumcision all pertain to fairly rare occurrences in today’s modern, ultra-hygienic society, while others consider circumcision as a cruel form of genital mutilation. Circumcision, after all, may reduce penile sensitivity, and critics claim that getting circumcised should be a matter of personal rather than a parent’s choice.
The debate rages on as to whether circumcision should still be globally recommended. While the potential benefits may outweigh the risks, new parents need to decide whether it’s their decision to make or whether it should be of their child’s own volition.
Does circumcision interfere with sexual function?
Circumcision appears to have no significant effect on ED. Circumcision is primarily a cosmetic procedure, while ED is primarily a lifestyle/circulatory issue.
Regardless of whether an individual is circumcised or not, ED can happen to men of all ages.
There have been claims stating that ED is more likely to happen in men who have been circumcised, but said claims have been largely dispelled. A 2013 meta-analysis of 10 studies involving circumcision determined that circumcision does not seem to cause adverse effects on penile sensitivity or function compared to uncircumcised men.
Nevertheless, several relatively significant differences still exist between circumcised and uncircumcised men which may be beneficial or detrimental to sexual health. Here they are as follows.
Difference #1: Appearance
Penis appearances are different for every person. However, it’s fairly easy to distinguish between a circumcised and uncircumcised member when flaccid. The latter will have a more bulky appearance because the foreskin covers the glans (or the head of the penis).
When an erection occurs, the foreskin pulls back and disappears into the penis, making the penis look as though it were circumcised. Circumcision does NOT affect penis size – the foreskin merely serves as an additional layer of protective tissue that has no bearing on penis size. Penis size is primarily based on genetics and circulatory health.
Difference #2: Penile hygiene and sensitivity
Penile sensitivity and hygiene are perhaps the most salient distinguishing features between “cut” (circumcised) and “uncut” (uncircumcised) penises. Hygiene is one of the most commonly-used arguments for circumcision, while the potential effect in diminishing penile sensitivity remains a popular counter-argument.
That’s because uncircumcised penises require special care to keep them clean. In particular, the area directly under the foreskin should be cleaned regularly, otherwise, it may cause a smegma buildup. Smegma is composed of dead skin cells, oils, and bacteria which may contribute to penile infections. It causes an unpleasant odor, inflammation, and/or soreness.
Meanwhile, circumcised penises just need regular washing when taking daily baths to keep an appropriate level of hygiene.
Sensitivity is a more important sticking point between supporters and detractors of circumcision. The foreskin protects the head (or glans) of the penis, which is composed of a dense concentration of nerve endings and therefore the most sensitive part of the penis. Circumcision, according to its critics, may cause desensitization due to friction against underwear throughout life.
However, the studies show that variance in sensitivity may be minimal at best. There have also been conflicting findings suggesting that circumcised men are more likely to run into problems achieving orgasm. This indicates diminished sensitivity is the cause, but no definitive findings conclusively support the claim.
Difference #3: Function
Another effect of circumcision is the loss of natural lubrication to the penis that the foreskin produces to help reduce friction. There isn’t any evidence pointing to a reduction in satisfaction or reproductive health in circumcised men.
Sperm function isn’t also affected by circumcision, since sperm production and storage happen in the testicles. Sperm health and production are significantly affected by overall health, lifestyle, and diet factors.
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Difference #4: Protection
Another major source of division in the question surrounding circumcision is the protection it offers against urinary tract and viral infections. Uncircumcised penises, for instance, are likely to contribute to the development of urinary tract infections in both infants and adults.
Studies also indicate that circumcised penises, on the other hand, are up to 50-60% less likely to develop the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from female sex partners. It is for this same reason that circumcision has become an extremely popular rite of passage in countries that have high HIV rates.
Circumcision can also play a role in reducing human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital herpes risk. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women, while both STIs may also cause genital warts in both sexes.
And while we’re on the subject of cancer, we would be remiss not to mention the fact that circumcised individuals are less likely to experience penile cancer. Smegma buildup causes diseases that serve as the main risk factors for cancer in the penis.
Smegma-related issues can be prevented with proper hygiene, but such issues are practically unheard of in men with circumcised penises.
The final word
Ultimately, there do not seem to be any links between erectile dysfunction (ED) and circumcision. What we do know, however, is that there are definite health and hygienic benefits to circumcision that may outweigh any supposed disadvantages it possesses.
