By ASTROGLIDE Team

Sex Tips

Foreskin vs. No Foreskin: What’s the Difference?

If you don’t have a penis of your own — or you’re someone who was circumcised at birth — you might not have had much exposure to uncircumcised penises.

This is because male circumcision is quite common in the U.S. compared to other countries. Whereas the global circumcision rate is around 38 percent, it was 58 percent in the U.S. as of 2010. The number was 83 percent in the US during the 1960s, which means there are likely more circumcised males than uncircumcised men in the US.

Circumcision, which the Mayo Clinic describes as a simple procedure, involves the surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis — better known as the foreskin. While most circumcisions are performed just after birth, adults may decide to undergo the procedure later in life. For some, adult circumcision is necessary to stop chronic infections or to ease the discomfort caused by a foreskin that’s too tight (referred to as phimosis).

One thing to know about newborn male circumcision is that it can be something of a controversial subject – especially among parents. As the Mayo Clinic states, some parents opt to have their newborns circumcised due to religious reasons or because that’s just what their family has done in the past. For others, though, “circumcision seems unnecessary or disfiguring.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics takes something of a neutral stance, saying that circumcision is a low-risk procedure that can provide benefits, such as preventing infections and reducing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. However, they note that proper hygiene can also prevent these things. Ultimately, it’s up to parents to weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for their child.

For most people with an uncircumcised penis, the foreskin is truly no big deal. For their partners, it can even offer a whole new world of sexual experiences.

5 Things to Know About Uncircumcised Sex

If you’re going to have sex with an uncircumcised male for the first time, you might feel a little nervous. Will you operate their equipment the right way? Are there any special instructions you need to know? Can you hurt it?

The good news is that uncircumcised sex with uncut, uncircumcised men is just as amazing as any other kind, and the uncircumcised penis is pretty much the same as a circumcised one. While they don’t come with how-to guides, they’re pretty darn sexy once you get used to them.

An Uncut Penis May Be More Sensitive

Sex should be a pleasurable experience, and here’s where an uncircumcised penis can deliver. According to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, “…the foreskin is a primary sensory part of the penis, containing some of the most sensitive areas of the penis.” There are a lot of nerve endings at the tip of the penis, and many folks who are uncircumcised love to be touched on their foreskin.

However, the jury’s somewhat out when it comes to sensitivity and the circumcised vs. uncircumcised penis. Whereas some studies hail uncircumcised units as full-on pleasure centers, others say this isn’t true at all.

For example, in a study published in the British Journal of Urology International, researchers stated: “For the glans penis, circumcised males reported decreased sexual pleasure and lower orgasm intensity. They also stated more effort was required to achieve orgasm, and a higher percentage of them experienced unusual sensations (burning, prickling, itching, or tingling and numbness of the glans penis).”

On the other hand, some researchers say the study was flawed. According to an NBC News report, several experts said the study “used a biased sample population, didn’t measure sensitivity changes before and after circumcision, and found only a tiny difference between the two groups, which is clinically meaningless, making it impossible to conclude from the results that circumcision reduces sexual sensitivity.”

In other words, it’s impossible to measure sensitivity when a male was circumcised at birth.

Also, the report says other researchers pointed out that “differences in sexual sensitivity only appeared for some parts of the penis and were so minuscule — at most a few tenths and sometimes just three-hundredths of a point on a 5-point scale — that they probably have no clinical relevance.”

So, what can you do?

Uncircumcised or circumcised, the important thing is to explore what makes you (or your partner) achieve the most satisfaction. One thing we know for sure is that introducing lube into the equation can make things feel better for everyone.

What types of lube, you ask? ASTROGLIDE Liquid is a silky water-based formula that keeps everything slick and smooth. You can also check out our Lube 101 Guide for the skinny on various types of lube. And don’t forget to get your free sample.

Pull the Foreskin Back to Put on a Condom

If you want to, that is. According to Planned Parenthood, many uncut men prefer to pull their foreskin back before suiting up, but it’s more a matter of comfort rather than necessity.

Other than that, the steps for putting on a condom are the same whether you’re circumcised or uncircumcised:

• Use a Fresh Condom Every Time – Never reuse condoms, and don’t use one past its expiration date. Also check the package to make sure it’s in good condition, with no holes or rips.

• Use Lube – Placing a drop or two of lube inside the condom will help it roll on easier and make it feel more pleasurable.

• Get Hard First – Make sure you’re erect before rolling the condom onto your penis.

• Leave a Little Space – You’ll want to leave about a half-inch of space at the end for semen.

• Air It Out – As you roll the condom on, pinch the tip to release any air. You should also smooth out any air bubbles along the shaft, as any friction could make the condom break.

• Roll to the Base – Roll the condom all the way up the shaft to the base of the penis.

You don’t need any special kind of condom for an uncircumcised penis, either — any kind will do the trick. There are a lot of different types out there, so check out our ultimate guide to condoms before you shop.

You Can Have Oral Sex with Someone Who is Uncircumcised

Don’t let a little foreskin get in the way of your foreplay. If the prospect of going down on an uncircumcised partner makes you uncertain or nervous, don’t worry. With a little practice, you’ll rock their world in no time — and maybe even help them achieve multiple orgasms.

Jamie Gaul at FabFitFun has several tips for making oral sex with an uncircumcised partner amazing. “If you’re partaking in the fellatio aspect of oral sex you’ll want to start by gently rolling back the foreskin to reveal the head of his penis. The keyword here is ‘gently.’ If you push it back too hard or too low, it can be painful. Your partner may even roll it back for you. But if he doesn’t, start slowly and test the waters as you go.”

As with any sex act, communication is important. No matter what the state of your partner’s penis is, they’ll be more than happy to share what makes them feel good.

Men Might Feel Insecure About Being All Natural

Because circumcision is fairly common in the U.S., some people with an uncircumcised penis might feel like they stick out compared to the rest of the pack. If you’ve never been with an uncircumcised partner before, keep in mind that they might feel self-conscious about their foreskin.

The ISSM stresses that talking with your partner is important. “Partners are encouraged to tell – or show – each other what brings them sexual pleasure. Without this important communication, sex can become a frustrating guessing game instead of relaxed enjoyment.”

In other words, stay calm and enjoy yourself.

Uncircumcised Penises May Need More Cleaning

Everyone should wash up after sex, as it can help prevent urinary tract infections, irritation, and sexually transmitted infections or diseases. With an uncircumcised penis, however, it’s important to pull it back and wash underneath the foreskin after sex. If you don’t, you could put yourself at a higher risk of infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Skipping over clean-up time can also lead to bad odors that can be a turn off for your partner.

According to a study published in the World Journal of Men’s Health, “Many health benefits of circumcision have been suggested, including lower rates of urinary tract infection (UTI), human immunodeficiency virus acquisition, herpes simplex virus acquisition, syphilis transmission, penile cancer, balanitis, phimosis, bacterial vaginosis in female partners, human papillomavirus transmission and cervical cancer in female partners.”

In another study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, researchers found that uncircumcised boys had higher rates of UTIs compared to those who were circumcised.

With proper hygiene, however, uncircumcised men can reduce their risk of infection and sexually transmitted diseases. The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) says warm water is all you need for a thorough cleansing. Men should avoid powders, soaps, and deodorants, as these can cause irritation and negatively affect men’s sexual health.

Remember that an uncut penis is what nature intended — it’s the original packaging! If you have questions, talk to your partner. Body positivity rocks no matter what shape or size you are.

What are your tips for great uncircumcised sex? Let us know by tweeting us @ASTROGLIDE.