Doctor Tra Anh Duy, from Men's Health Center, states that the foreskin is a normal physiological structure. It is not a cause of erectile dysfunction or infertility. Medical intervention should be based on specific examinations, not on unsubstantiated rumors.
Below are common misconceptions:
Misconception one: A long foreskin is a sign of erectile dysfunction
A long foreskin is a condition where the skin completely or partially covers the glans, even during erection. However, this condition does not affect erectile function or ejaculation. A study by Yang et al. in the Asian Journal of Andrology indicates that male sexual function depends on testosterone, blood circulation, and psychological factors, not on foreskin length.
Misconception two: Circumcision will make the penis larger
After circumcision, the glans is fully exposed, which gives many men the impression that the penis is larger. In reality, its size does not increase. A study by Morris and Krieger confirms that penile tissue does not change after circumcision.
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Medical staff perform surgery on a patient. Photo: Quynh Tran |
Medical staff perform surgery on a patient. Photo: Quynh Tran
Misconception three: Everyone needs to be circumcised
Indications for circumcision include phimosis, recurrent inflammation, a long foreskin that makes hygiene or intercourse difficult, or paraphimosis. Men who do not fall into these categories can keep their foreskin. In some cases, circumcision might even reduce sensation. The decision for surgery must be made by a doctor, not applied indiscriminately.
Misconception four: Without circumcision, a man cannot have children
The foreskin does not determine fertility. It only affects fertility if a severely long or tight foreskin causes mechanical obstruction during intercourse. The primary factors determining fertility remain sperm quality and the ability to conceive. Many men with a long foreskin have children normally.
Misconception five: Phimosis will resolve naturally with age
In some cases, especially in young children, the foreskin may gradually separate from the glans and become more mobile over time. However, this is not universally true. If, by age 7 to 8, it still does not retract naturally or if there are symptoms like difficulty urinating or foreskin inflammation, medical evaluation for intervention is necessary. Delaying treatment can increase the risk of later complications, such as urinary tract infections or genital infections.
Misconception six: The longer one waits to circumcise, the higher the risk of cancer
Penile cancer is rare, affecting under one in 100,000 men. A long foreskin does not directly cause the disease. Risk factors include poor hygiene leading to smegma accumulation, which can foster HPV and chronic inflammation. A study by Dillner et al. in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms that poor hygiene and HPV are the two main factors.
Misconception seven: Circumcision will prolong intercourse
Many believe that circumcision reduces sensation, but a study by Senkul shows no significant change in intercourse duration before and after the procedure. Sexual pleasure is influenced more by emotion, skill, and psychology than by the foreskin.
Misconception eight: The foreskin causes a bad odor, requiring circumcision for cleanliness
The foreskin does not cause odor if properly cleaned, especially by retracting and gently drying the inner area. Even circumcised individuals can experience inflammation and odor if hygiene is poor. Circumcision is a solution only for cases where thorough hygiene is difficult, not a mandatory requirement.
Le Phuong
