Elsevier

Urology

Volume 63, Issue 1, January 2004, Pages 155-158
Urology

Adult urology
Circumcision in adults: effect on sexual function

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2003.08.035Get rights and content

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of adult circumcision on sexual function in men circumcised only for religious or cosmetic reasons.

Methods

The study group consisted of 42 male patients with a median age of 22.3 years (range 19 to 28) referred for circumcision from June 2002 to January 2003. Of the 42 men, 39 desired circumcision for religious reasons. Before circumcision, their sexual performance was evaluated using the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI) and ejaculatory latency time. The BMSFI evaluation and ejaculatory latency time measurements were repeated after a postoperative interval of at least 12 weeks. The scores in the five main sections of the BMSFI and the ejaculatory latency times before and after circumcision were analyzed.

Results

The differences in the mean BMSFI scores were not statistically significant in any of the five sections. However, the mean ejaculatory latency time was significantly longer after circumcision (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Adult circumcision does not adversely affect sexual function. The increase in the ejaculatory latency time can be considered an advantage rather than a complication.

Section snippets

Material and methods

Our group consisted of 42 male patients with a median age of 22.3 years (range 19 to 28) referred for circumcision to our department between June 2002 and January 2003. Although 39 of them desired circumcision for religious reasons, the other 3 were referred for cosmetic reasons. All the subjects were heterosexual and sexually active, and none was using medication or a device to promote erections. The exclusion criteria consisted of the presence of penile skin lesions such as phimosis,

Results

The mean scores of the five main sections of the BMSFI before and after circumcision and the mean ejaculatory latency times before and after circumcision are listed in Table II. Although the differences in the mean BMSFI scores were not statistically significant in any of the five sections, the mean ejaculatory latency time was significantly longer statistically after circumcision (P = 0.02).

Comment

In Muslim and Jewish communities, circumcision is generally done in the neonatal period or during childhood, as a requirement of the religion. In the other western communities, it is mostly practiced for medical or cosmetic reasons. It has been reported that 77% of the male population born in the United States has been circumcised.5 In Turkey, 95% of the population is Muslim and almost all the male population is circumcised in childhood. However, because we practice in a military hospital, we

References (7)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

View full text