Penile Sensitivity Study Overlooks Erogenous Foreskin press release

New Orleans, LA – Urologist Dr. Arnold Melman presented his penile sensitivity study on April 28, at the Chicago convention of the American Urological Society. “The foreskin was carefully excluded from testing resulting in findings that not only minimized the sexual importance of the foreskin, but also minimized its sensory loss in circumcised men,” said J. Steven Svoboda, Executive Director of Attorneys for the Rights of the Child.

The study examined the sensitivity of the glans (head of the penis) and found little difference in circumcised and non-circumcised intact males. “Not surprising,” said Svoboda, “since the glans is known to have relatively few nerves compared to the foreskin, about the same sensitivity as the back of the hand. The inner foreskin however, has as much or more sensitivity as the palm of the hand. The study confirms the increased sensitivity of the intact penis is not in the glans but in the foreskin. The study fails to prove its claim that circumcised men and normal men have the same penile sensitivity.”

The foreskin not only improves the man’s sexual pleasure, but his partner, too. The foreskin’s gliding action is pleasurable for both and it keeps the glans moist allowing for easy insertion. Dry sex is the major sexual complaint of marriages in the highly circumcised U.S.

“The foreskin is the location of the exquisitely sensitive mucocutaneous junction and the recently discovered highly erogenous ridged-band area of the foreskin. Dr. Melman overlooked this sensitive area and unfortunately omitted it from the testing,” said Svoboda.

Recent studies published in the Journal of Urology found that circumcision degrades erectile function in adult males. The reason for this remains unclear but is believed to be due to the loss of sensory nerves when the foreskin is excised. More study is needed to clarify the manner in which circumcision afflicts erectile function. Melman’s work contributes to our understanding of the foreskin’s important role in human sexuality and points out the need for additional research on the significance of genital anatomy and sexual responsiveness.

The added issue regarding circumcision is that of consent – do parents have the legal authority to consent to the non-therapeutic excision of their infant son’s normal protective erogenous penile tissue?

National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers,
December 7, 2000

Men Scarred by Circumcision

University of Sydney, NSW In the first study of its kind, researcher Tina Kimmel presented, at the Sixth International Symposium at the University of Sydney, Australia, her preliminary findings indicating that penile sensitivity of intact males is 25-30% greater than that of circumcised males.

Using the Semmes-Weinstein Sensory Evaluator, Kimmel discovered that "the foreskin is far more responsive to sensation than previously thought."

Kimmel found that the foreskin matches the lips and possibly exceeds the eyelids in sensitivity. "Circumcision represents a true loss of sensation, it is not a diminutive harm," Kimmel said. The foreskin went M-^Qoff the scale' in the standard 0-20 testing. A device that would measure even greater amounts of sensitivity was not available.

Kimmel used a sample group of circumcised, intact, and restoring men. Initial findings indicate that restoring men gain back sensitivity, but never attain the sensitivity of men that were never circumcised.

Confirming Kimmel's conclusions, presenters Dr. G. Boyle and G. Bensley reported that their findings revealed circumcised males are physically and psychologically harmed by the practice. The majority of circumcised men could be reliably classified as having penile scarring, being reluctance to use condoms, and experiencing a progressive decline in sexual sensitivity. Many express regret and are hesitant to think about their circumcision status. "There are many adverse physical, sexual and psychological effects from infant circumcision, which need to be acknowledged in any discussion pertaining to informed consent in relation to circumcision surgery."

Fellow researcher Boyle reported, "A circumcised male has been deprived of a highly specialized, sensitive and erogenous part of his penis that would have served important sensory, sexual and protective functions had it been left in place."

The Sixth International Symposium on Genital Integrity runs from December 7 to December 9, 2000. Experts from around the world will address the physical, psychological, religious, moral and ethical issues confronting Female and Male Genital Mutilation.