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Effects of childhood circumcision age on adult male sexual functions

Abstract

The effects of childhood circumcision on male sexual function have been debated. However, there are no studies, to our knowledge, that assess the possible effects of childhood circumcision age on male sexual function. In an attempt to answer this question, we performed a prospective study to determine the possible relationship between circumcision age and male sexual function, using a validated questionnaire, the Golombok–Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction. We found no relationship between childhood circumcision age and overall sexual function; however some specific domains of sexual function (i.e. avoidance and communication) seemed to be affected by the age at circumcision procedure in this cohort of sexually active males. In addition, prevalence of sexual dysfunction was higher, with premature ejaculation being the most common dysfunction in the survey. We concluded that childhood circumcision age might affect some domains of male sexual function in adulthood, but not the overall function.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Zuhal Baltaci, PhD, for the assistance in recruiting women to participate in this study and Serap Gungor, PhD, for her invaluable advice and assistance in preparing the questionnaire. We would also thank Dr Bedreddin Seçkin and Dr Kaan Aydos for their precious reviews and helpful corrections in the text. We are especially grateful to the participants of the study who so generously gave their time and support to complete this study.

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Correspondence to E Aydur.

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Aydur, E., Gungor, S., Ceyhan, S. et al. Effects of childhood circumcision age on adult male sexual functions. Int J Impot Res 19, 424–431 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901545

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