Circumcision: What do women prefer?

For many men, deciding whether or not to get circumcised can be influenced by many factors, not the least of which is where women stand when it comes to the circumcised vs. uncircumcised debate. It’s not surprising that for many men considering whether or not to become circumcised, the prevailing question often becomes: Do women prefer circumcised men? And while those who oppose circumcision will tell you either that women don’t care or that women prefer men to be uncircumcised, research data say that’s just not true. In fact, several surveys and studies have shown that in addition to the substantial health benefits of male circumcision, there are also sexual benefits including a greater physical appeal to women. Consider these facts from recent studies and surveys:

• In a survey where women were asked to rate their preferences when it came to different forms of sexual activity, a substantial majority of women overwhelmingly preferred men who were circumcised; for intercourse, 71 percent preferred circumcised men while only 6 percent said they preferred uncircumcised men; for fellatio, 82 percent said they preferred a circumcised penis while 2 percent said they preferred an uncircumcised partner; and for manual stimulation, 75 percent favored circumcised partners compared with 5 percent who reported a preference for uncircumcised men.
• In addition, 76 percent said circumcised penises were more attractive while only 4 percent said they preferred the look of an uncircumcised penis; a whopping 90 percent said the circumcised penis looked “sexier;” 85 percent said it felt nicer to the touch; and 92 percent said they felt it was cleaner.
• Even women who had never had a circumcised partner said they preferred the way a circumcised penis looks.
• In another survey of 1,000 women, only 3 percent said they preferred the look of an uncircumcised penis.
• An Australian study found that women whose partners were circumcised were much more likely to have orgasms, as well as more likely to have simultaneous orgasms.

Circumcision is also associated with important health benefits for women as well as men. Multiple studies have demonstrated that circumcision reduces the likelihood of transmitting diseases like syphilis, HIV and genital herpes, as well as a lower risk for transmitting the human papillomavirus, or HPV, which has been associated with the development of several types of cancer, including cervical cancer and penile cancer. The decision to be circumcised is one which can help ensure both you and your partner reduce the risks of these and other diseases.

The bottom line is this: Getting circumcised is a highly personal decision; while studies provide compelling evidence in favor of circumcision, the best course of action is to speak with a doctor to discuss all your concerns so you can make your decision with confidence.