The practice of male circumcision, or removal of the foreskin from the penis, is older than recorded history and has fallen in and out of fashion in various different cultures and religions since the beginning of time. Although appearance is the most obvious difference between a circumcised and uncircumcised penis, there is actually more variation between these two than you might have thought.

Health

Men who are uncircumcised can retain moisture between their penis and foreskin. According to Shape, this creates the ideal environment for bacteria to grow, and can increase the risk of infection not only for men, but for their sexual partners.

“Female sex partners of uncircumcised men are at increased risk of bacterial vaginosis,” Supriya Mehta, Ph.D., an epidemiologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, told Shape.

A circumcision also decreases the risk for a urinary tract infection and penile cancer, although both these conditions are fairly rare to begin with, the Mayo Clinic reported.

In addition, having a foreskin naturally increases the chances of having problems with the foreskin. According to WebMD, some of the most common foreskin troubles include inflammation of the penis head, having a foreskin that is too tight to be pulled back, or having a foreskin that becomes trapped behind the head of the penis after being pulled back.

Sexual Function

The head of the penis is the most sensitive part of the penis, and therefore circumcised men may experience less penis sensitivity. However, this idea is debatable, as new research has suggested that there really is no clear difference in penile sensitivity between circumcised and uncircumcised men.

In addition, according to Shape, women with uncircumcised spouses report more sexual pleasure and less pain than women with circumcised husbands. This may be because the retracted skin of an uncircumcised penis bunches up and puts extra pressure on the clitoris, increasing arousal. Also, men with a foreskin require more lubrication for sex and masturbation, so naturally their penises may be smoother and therefore less painful during intercouse, Shape reported.

While circumcision may affect the sensation of sex for both men and women, it has no affect on male fertility.

Read More:

Circumcision Does Not Reduce Penile Sensitivity Or Affect Sexual Pleasure Later In Life: Read Here

Male Circumcision: 5 Things You May Or May Not Know About Circumcision: Read Here