The effect of circumcision on young adult sexual function.
Whether sexual function is affected by circumcision is a subject of considerable debate among advocate and opponent opinions. We analyzed the sexual function of young men, and the differences between those who were uncircumcised and circumcised, in Taiwan. A total of 506 patients who received circumcision between January 2009 and March 2011 at the urology department in our center were enrolled. Before circumcision, the patients' sexual performances were evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), and the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI) questionnaires. They were evaluated using the questionnaires again, after a postoperative interval of 90 days. Furthermore, intravaginal ejaculation latency times (IELT) of the patients were also measured. The IELT and scores in five main domains of the BMSFI, and IIEF, before and after circumcision, were analyzed. A total of 442 patients were available for follow up. The mean age was 25.14 ± 4.46 years (range = 19-35 years). The differences in the BMSFI scores were statistically significant (p < 0.001), especially in increasing sex drive after circumcision (p < 0.001). The IIEF-5 score showed no statistically difference before and after circumcision (p = 0.141). However, after the circumcision, the participants had more erection confidence (p < 0.001), more difficulty in maintaining erections in completing intercourse (p = 0.01), and showed lower IELT scores (p = 0.06). The sexual performance, especially with regards to sex drive and mental erection confidence, seemed to have improved among the patients after circumcision. Our findings may help urologists to better counsel young men receiving circumcisions.
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Ming-Hsin
MH
Yang
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chih-Wei
CW
Tsao
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Sheng-Tang
ST
Wu
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Feng-Ping
FP
Chuang
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
En
E
Meng
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Shou-Hung
SH
Tang
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Guang-Huan
GH
Sun
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Dah-Shyong
DS
Yu
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Sun-Yran
SY
Chang
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: msy681028@gmail.com.
Tai-Lung
TL
Cha
D000328:Adult; D002944:Circumcision, Male; D004542:Ejaculation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult
Circumcision; Sexual function; Young adult