Editor’s Note: This feature examines circumcision from various medical, scientific, historical, and personal perspectives. As the subject may be sensitive for some people, the testimonials and information presented should be read in context.
Arnaud Pontin (Image : AI / Gay Globe)
When discussing circumcision with friends or in conversation groups, it is always within the framework of “for or against” debates. Everyone has their opinions, which are based on their knowledge, but often also on their prejudices regarding this surgical procedure, which is still very widespread today, not only in countries where circumcision remains strongly associated with religious traditions, but also in countries where it is widely practiced for cultural or other reasons, such as Canada and the United States.
Circumcision is a surgical procedure that consists of removing all or part of the foreskin, the fold of skin that covers the glans of the penis. The glans is then left partially or completely exposed. It may be performed for religious, cultural, medical, or personal reasons, at different ages depending on the country and circumstances.
The Main Medical Reasons for Circumcision
From a medical standpoint, circumcision may be recommended when the foreskin causes persistent problems or complications. The most common case is phimosis, a condition in which the foreskin is too tight to be normally retracted. When it causes pain, recurrent infections, difficulty urinating, or problems during sexual intercourse, circumcision may sometimes be considered, particularly when other treatments have not produced the desired results.
Circumcision may also be performed following paraphimosis, when the foreskin, once retracted behind the glans, becomes stuck and can no longer be returned to its normal position. This situation can compromise blood flow to the glans and requires prompt medical attention.
Repeated inflammation or infections of the glans and foreskin, known as balanitis or balanoposthitis, may also constitute an indication when medical treatments fail to control the problem. Certain diseases that cause scarring or hardening of the foreskin, particularly lichen sclerosus, may also make circumcision necessary.
More rarely, the procedure may be part of the treatment of certain precancerous lesions or penile cancers when these affect the foreskin.
It should nevertheless be remembered that having a foreskin is not, in itself, a medical problem. In a person who has no complications, circumcision is generally not considered medically necessary. In young boys, a foreskin that cannot be fully retracted may also be perfectly normal for several years and does not necessarily mean that circumcision is indicated.
Richard, 55: A Circumcision He Does Not Regret
At 55, Richard, a gay Quebecer, has practically no memory of his circumcision. It was performed when he was very young, at a time when the procedure was much more common in certain Quebec families. For him, therefore, it is not a decision he made, but rather a physical characteristic he grew up with and that he now considers an integral part of his bodily identity.
In retrospect, Richard says he appreciates several aspects of his situation. He first mentions the sensation he experiences on a daily basis. Unlike some people who associate circumcision with a decrease in sexual sensitivity, he does not feel that he was deprived of an experience he is missing. “I obviously don’t know what I would have felt if I had had a foreskin, since I have always been circumcised,” he explains. For him, his perception of the sensitivity of his penis is simply the one he has known all his life.
Hygiene is also an important factor in his eyes. The fact that the glans is constantly exposed gives him the feeling that daily care is simple and that there are fewer areas where moisture or secretions can accumulate. This perception is not unusual: hygiene is among the reasons frequently cited by men in favor of circumcision. It does not, however, mean that an uncircumcised man cannot maintain excellent hygiene, since regular washing of the foreskin and glans also allows for adequate hygiene.
But when Richard is asked what he appreciates most, his answer is spontaneous: appearance. He likes the appearance of a circumcised penis and feels that this appearance suits him better. He describes this preference as essentially personal, without claiming that it should be shared by other men.
“I find it more aesthetically pleasing,” he says. For Richard, the exposed glans gives the penis an appearance that he considers cleaner, simpler, and more harmonious. This aesthetic dimension has accompanied his perception of his own body since childhood and has naturally become part of his self-image.
His testimony thus reminds us that the circumcision debate is not always limited to an opposition between medical and religious arguments. For some men who have been circumcised since childhood, this physical characteristic has become so familiar that they do not perceive it as an absence, but simply as a normal part of their body.
In Richard’s case, at 55, there is no particular sense of nostalgia: he says he is satisfied with his circumcision, appreciates the appearance it gives his penis, and considers ease of maintenance to be an advantage. As for sensitivity, he simply does not identify with the idea that circumcision necessarily represents a noticeable loss: having never known his body any other way, he judges his experience based on what he feels today.
A Practice Thousands of Years Old
The exact origin of circumcision remains unknown. What historians can establish with some certainty, however, is that this practice is extremely ancient and existed long before the emergence of the major monotheistic religions. The oldest solid historical evidence dates back to ancient Egypt, where representations dating to approximately 2300 BCE show men undergoing a procedure that appears to correspond to circumcision. A particularly well-known scene can be found in the tomb of Ankhmahor at Saqqara.
It would nevertheless be imprudent to claim that the Egyptians “invented” circumcision. The practice may be much older, but any earlier evidence is too ambiguous to allow historians to establish this with certainty. The motivations that led early peoples to perform this procedure also remain the subject of debate. A rite of passage into adulthood, a mark of belonging to a community, a religious symbol, a measure of hygiene, or a practice associated with sexuality and fertility: several hypotheses have been put forward over the course of research, without a single explanation being accepted.
Circumcision was to take on considerable importance with the emergence of Judaism. In biblical tradition, it became the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham. Genesis recounts that God asks Abraham to circumcise the males in his household and that this practice is then to be perpetuated from generation to generation. Circumcision thus became one of the fundamental markers of Jewish religious identity.
This development is important from a historical standpoint because it means that circumcision did not originate with Judaism. It was already practiced in certain societies in the Near East and Africa several centuries before biblical tradition gave it this particular meaning. Judaism would nevertheless help give it an extremely strong religious dimension that continues to this day.
With the expansion of Islam, male circumcision also spread throughout a large part of the Muslim world. Its religious status nevertheless varies according to different traditions and Islamic schools. It has nonetheless become a deeply rooted cultural and religious practice in many societies in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
The history of circumcision does not end with religion. Beginning in the 19th century, it began to take on a new dimension in certain Western societies, particularly in English-speaking countries. Doctors began presenting it as a procedure that could promote hygiene or prevent certain diseases. In the United States, the practice gradually became widespread, including among families who attached no religious significance to it.
The circumcision we know today is therefore the result of several thousand years of history. From a ritual whose earliest motivations remain mysterious, it successively became a religious, cultural, and medical marker and, for some men, simply a physical characteristic with which they grew up.
More than four thousand years after the earliest known Egyptian representations, circumcision remains one of the most widely performed surgical procedures in the world, but also one of the most controversial. Its supporters notably emphasize certain medical or hygienic benefits, while its opponents raise questions concerning bodily integrity and consent when the procedure is performed on a child.
Michel, 45: “I Have Always Felt That Part of My Body Was Taken Away From Me”
At 45, Michel is a Frenchman who has long carried an intimate question that he has rarely dared to discuss openly: his circumcision, performed during childhood. For years, he had given it little thought. Like many children circumcised at a very young age, he did not choose the procedure and had no real memory of it. It was only as he became an adult, and gradually learned what the foreskin was and its anatomical role, that his view of his own body began to change.
Today, Michel uses a particularly strong word to describe his personal experience: “mutilation.” He does not claim that all circumcised men should share his opinion, but he personally considers that the procedure removed part of his anatomy without him being able to give his consent.
“What bothers me most is not only what was done. It is the fact that I never had the opportunity to decide for myself,” he explains.
This realization gradually affected his relationship with his body. Michel says he experienced periods of anger, frustration, and sadness, particularly when he began comparing his anatomy with that of uncircumcised men. His feeling of injustice also grew stronger with age.
He nevertheless emphasizes an important distinction: he does not claim that circumcision necessarily caused him a psychological disorder in the medical sense of the term. Rather, he describes distress related to his body image, his sense of physical integrity, and the fact that he was unable to consent to the procedure. Research specifically involving men who wish to restore their foreskin shows that these concerns can indeed be an important motivation, although they obviously do not represent the experience of the majority of circumcised men.
Over time, Michel became interested in the possibility of foreskin restoration. He discovered that there are two main approaches: non-surgical restoration through gradual skin expansion and certain surgical reconstruction techniques. The former consists of progressively applying tension to the remaining skin in order to stimulate its expansion. It can take months or even several years, and cannot recreate the natural foreskin exactly or restore the specialized tissues that were removed.
Surgery is much more complex and remains relatively uncommon. It does not consist of “putting back” the original foreskin, which is anatomically impossible. Instead, the surgeon seeks to create new skin coverage using available tissue, sometimes taken from another part of the body. The skin is then positioned around the penis and held in place with sutures during healing. Depending on the technique used, the procedure may require general anesthesia and a recovery period during which physical and sexual activities must be limited.
Michel fully understands that this procedure would not give him exactly the anatomy he would have had if he had never been circumcised. He therefore does not expect a genuine “undoing” of the procedure. What he is seeking instead would be a change in appearance and a sensation of coverage of the glans that would allow him to come closer to the anatomy he considers his own.
His journey has also become a way of reclaiming ownership of his body. After growing up with a decision made by others, he wants any possible future procedure to be, this time, his own decision.
Nevertheless, Michel has not yet made up his mind. Before considering surgery, he wants to consult a urologist or a specialized surgeon to learn about the actual possibilities, the limitations of reconstruction, and the associated risks. Specialists rightly point out that surgical foreskin restoration is uncommon and cannot completely reproduce the original anatomy.
Does Circumcision Protect Against STIs?
The answer is more nuanced than a simple “yes” or “no.” Medical data show that circumcision can provide some protection against several sexually and blood-transmitted infections, but this protection is neither universal nor sufficient to replace other prevention methods.
The best-established effect concerns HIV among men who have vaginal sex with women. Several clinical trials conducted in sub-Saharan Africa have shown that circumcision reduces the risk of acquiring HIV by approximately 50 to 60% among heterosexual men. The mechanism may be related in particular to the presence, in the foreskin, of cells that are particularly susceptible to HIV infection and to the possibility of small mucosal lesions during sexual intercourse.
Circumcision also appears to reduce the risk of certain other infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital herpes caused by HSV-2, particularly in the heterosexual populations studied. However, the available data indicate much less clear protection against other STIs.
For very common infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, the data do not demonstrate significant and consistent protection associated with circumcision. The situation is also more complex for syphilis, since different studies have not all reached the same conclusions.
The situation is particularly important to consider among gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (MSM). The available data do not allow us to conclude that circumcision provides the same protection against HIV as that observed among heterosexual men. The CDC considers the data concerning men who engage in anal sex to be insufficient or inconclusive. A meta-analysis involving more than 119,000 MSM found an association between circumcision and reduced HIV risk in certain populations, but not in high-income countries.
It is therefore important to avoid an overly simplistic interpretation: being circumcised does not mean being protected against STIs. A circumcised man can still contract HIV, HPV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other infections. Circumcision may constitute, under certain circumstances, an additional layer of risk reduction, but it does not replace testing, vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B when indicated, condoms, or PrEP for HIV when appropriate.
In other words, from an STI-prevention standpoint, circumcision offers partial protection against certain infections, but not general protection. And for a gay man, the data are much less convincing than they are for heterosexual men when it comes to HIV.
Does Circumcision Reduce Sexual Sensitivity?
The question of sexual sensitivity is at the heart of the circumcision debate. The foreskin contains numerous nerve endings and is a sensitive part of penile anatomy. Its removal therefore necessarily changes the anatomy and mechanical sensations of the penis. But this does not automatically mean that a circumcised man will experience less sexual pleasure.
Scientific studies, in fact, present a much more complex picture than one might expect. Several systematic reviews conclude that there is no strong evidence showing that circumcision, overall, results in reduced sexual function, arousal, orgasm, or sexual satisfaction. A systematic review involving more than 40,000 men notably concluded that the highest-quality studies did not demonstrate an overall adverse effect on penile sensitivity or sexual pleasure.
Other research has reached similar conclusions. A systematic review published in 2016 found no general decrease in sexual function among circumcised men and even reported, in some studies, increased penile sensitivity or a reduction in premature ejaculation. The authors nevertheless emphasized that the available data remained insufficient to answer all questions, particularly when comparing men circumcised at different ages.
More recently, a meta-analysis published in 2025 involving 15 studies and more than 14,700 men even found an association between circumcision and slightly higher sexual satisfaction, as well as certain favorable indicators regarding erectile function and orgasmic difficulties. The authors nevertheless called for caution because of the significant heterogeneity among the studies analyzed.
This does not mean, however, that all men experience circumcision in the same way. A man who was circumcised as an adult can compare his sensations before and after the procedure. The testimonies of these men are therefore particularly interesting, even though they do not, by themselves, constitute scientific evidence. Some studies involving men circumcised as adults have indeed reported decreased sensitivity among some participants, while others have found no significant difference.
Among men circumcised during childhood, the comparison is much more difficult. They generally do not know what they would have felt with a foreskin because they have never experienced that anatomy as adults. A man circumcised since childhood can therefore perfectly well report having excellent sensitivity and a highly satisfying sex life, without this allowing us to determine what his sensitivity would have been had he not been circumcised.
There is also an essential distinction between anatomical sensitivity and sexual pleasure. A person may have less sensitivity to certain types of stimulation while experiencing just as much, or even more, sexual pleasure. Desire, arousal, erection quality, stimulation of the glans, movements during penetration, psychological sensations, and the relationship with a partner all contribute to the sexual experience.
Gay Globe would like to thank its journalist Arnaud Pontin for the extremely professional treatment of this feature and also thank Richard and Michel for their sincere testimonies, which readers will be able to discover and appreciate.
SOURCES FOR THE ARTICLE
NHS – National Health Service (United Kingdom)
Medical information on circumcision and its clinical indications, including phimosis, recurrent infections, and certain diseases of the foreskin.
NHS – Circumcision
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Data on male circumcision, HIV prevention, and certain sexually transmitted infections. The CDC notably states that the evidence remains inconclusive regarding protection against HIV among men who have sex with men.
CDC – Primary Prevention Methods
PubMed – National Library of Medicine
A systematic review involving 40,473 men and evaluating the effects of circumcision on penile sensitivity, sexual function, pleasure, and satisfaction. The highest-quality studies show no overall negative effect on these parameters.
PubMed – Does male circumcision affect sexual function, sensitivity, or satisfaction?
PubMed – National Library of Medicine
A historical review devoted to the origins of circumcision. It reports, among other things, that the oldest known representation of circumcision dates back to approximately 2300 BCE in Egypt.
PubMed – Circumcision from a historical perspective
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER READING
Quebec
CHU de Québec – Université Laval, Urology Department
A particularly useful Quebec medical resource for understanding circumcision, its indications, how the procedure is performed, and postoperative care. The CHU also explains the difference between circumcision and frenectomy.
CHU de Québec – Circumcision
Santé Estrie
Santé Estrie provides a fact sheet for adults who are undergoing circumcision. It explains, among other things, that the procedure is generally performed under local anesthesia in adults, its approximate duration, postoperative care, and the time required before resuming sexual activity.
Santé Estrie – Circumcision
Government of Quebec – Finding a Health Resource
For a man who does not know where to turn, the government portal makes it possible to find primary care services and appropriate medical resources.
Québec.ca – Finding a Health Resource
Canada
Canadian Urological Association (CUA)
This is probably the most important Canadian medical reference for your feature. The CUA has published a detailed guideline on the normal foreskin and circumcision, including an analysis of the benefits, risks, hygiene, infections, and issues related to neonatal circumcision.
Canadian Urological Association – Foreskin and Circumcision Guideline
NORM Canada
For men who regret their circumcision and are interested in foreskin restoration, NORM is an important resource. The organization has groups and contacts in Canada, including in Alberta and Ontario. It should nevertheless be made clear to readers that this is a restoration support organization, not a medical association.
NORM – National Organization of Restoring Men
United States
American Urological Association (AUA)
For someone seeking a specialized medical opinion, the AUA is a major professional reference in urology. It is a good starting point for finding medical information and, depending on the region, a urologist.
CIRP – Circumcision Information and Resource Pages
This American resource is particularly interesting for anyone who has questions about the consequences of circumcision and foreskin restoration. It clearly distinguishes surgical restoration, known as foreskin reconstruction, from non-surgical restoration through gradual skin expansion. CIRP nevertheless specifies that it provides information and not medical advice.
CIRP – Foreskin Restoration
NORM – National Organization of Restoring Men
This is probably one of the leading international support organizations for men considering or undertaking foreskin restoration. NORM provides information on different methods as well as support groups.
NORM – Restoration
Europe
NHS – British National Health Service
The NHS provides particularly clear medical information on circumcision. It explains the medical indications, risks, and possible effects on sexual sensations. The NHS notes in particular that in the United Kingdom, circumcision is generally offered through the public healthcare system only for medical reasons.
NHS – Circumcision
European Association of Urology – Patient Information
The European Association of Urology provides a portal specifically for patients, with information on urological conditions and treatments, as well as tools to help people better understand the various medical options.
European Association of Urology – Patient Information
15 Square – United Kingdom
For men who have questions about their foreskin, are experiencing phimosis, or wish to explore restoration after circumcision, 15 Square is a particularly relevant British organization. It provides information and support to men concerned about these issues.
15 Square
A Particularly Relevant International Resource
RestoringForeskin.org is also an important documentary resource for men considering restoration. The site explains the principles of gradual skin expansion and its limitations: restoration can recreate skin coverage, but cannot recreate the anatomical structures that were removed during circumcision. The site also states that its private section closed in March 2026, but that its public resources remain accessible.
RestoringForeskin.org
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