Circumcision rates in the U.S. are declining, but according to the World Health Organization, about 33% of those with penises are foreskin-free. By extension, that means that there are quite a number of people who may not have a lot of experience with the great uncut.
About 75% of people with penises are foreskin-free, which may mean a general lack of experience with the great uncut. But uncircumcised penises may be more responsive to touch, easier to jerk off and make penetration smoother.
If you've never been with an uncircumcised peen, there is often some hesitation. Will their penis look a lot different? Will their body feel or respond differently when you play? Are they more sensitive to touch? If they're a cool person and sexy to you, I assure you their cock will rock with or without foreskin. So don’t get hung up (so to speak!) on these differences.
To be honest, if your partner does have foreskin, you may have even more incentive to explore. Here are three reasons why:
1. Their Penis is Anatomically More Responsive
Almost every circumcised person agrees the most sensitive area on their penis is the frenulum: the underside of the head of their cock, right where it meets the shaft. Don’t believe me? Just try circling your tongue here and watch them light up with pleasure.
READ: 8 Steps to Giving a Great Blow Job.
People with penises also report the entire underside of their cock to be more responsive than the top or sides. Why? Because when they're soft (which is most of the time), the top and sides of their shaft and head touch their clothing and get sensation. But the frenulum and underside of the shaft are protected from this sensation because they sit against warm skin all day. Consequently, the nerve endings are closer to the surface and more responsive.
If your partner is uncircumcised, the entire head of their penis is protected in that same way. That makes it more sensitive to every touch. So, an uncircumcised person's response to touch tends to be more amplified and easier to read.
2. You Can Get Handsy-er
The number one thing most people do wrong when giving a circumcised person a hand job is using a dry hand.
READ: Tips for Having Awesome - and Pain-Free - Hand Sex.
When playing solo, it's common for people with penises will use any kind of lube available. (Their favorite lube is usually saliva.) They may also grow fond of using other products like hand lotion, baby oil and even hair conditioner. (I recommend using silicone lube. It’s perfect for any skin-on-skin contact, like hand jobs. It also has no taste and no smell so it’s perfect if you are using it in conjunction with your mouth.)
Uncut people are different. When they're soft, you'll be able to see the "turtle neck" of skin that covers the head of their penis. The penis will look sort of pointed at the tip, whereas a circumcised person will look rounded. When they have an erection, circumcised and uncircumcised people look pretty much the same. The great thing about that extra skin is that, as their erection grows, it provides a lot more play potential in their shaft—your hand will glide in a nice, smooth pumping action with or without lube. This means you can be more spontaneous and playful with your hands.
If your partner doesn't have foreskin and you want to play with their shaft, check out a masturbation sleeve; it will simulate that same sensation.
3. Penetration Might Feel Better
Many people report penetration to be easier and more enjoyable with uncircumcised partners for much the same reason hand jobs are easier: The foreskin can provide a sort of "gliding" action.
That's because an uncircumcised person's erectile tissue glides more freely as they thrust, while their foreskin cuts down on friction—making penetration smoother and more pleasurable for both partners. With a circumcised person, that friction can cause microscopic tears in the sensitive vaginal tissue and may leave the receiving partner irritated, inflamed and more vulnerable to infections.
READ: STI Testing: A Breakdown of Tests You Can Take at Home.
The other issue with circumcised people is how the length of their shaft withdraws with each thrust. In the case of PinV sex, that means the insertive partner is actually bringing the receptive partner's natural lubricants outside their body and allowing them to dissipate faster.
In other words, uncircumcised people tend to deliver smoother, longer bouts of play without needing as much synthetic lubricant as a circumcised person might require.
Of course, if is this a problem for you, it can easily be solved with some good lube. Regardless of whether your partner is circumcised and regardless of how wet you may be on your own, I strongly believe lube is awesome. It protects your skin and sets you up for longer, healthier bouts of play.
READ: The Ins and Outs of Sexual Lubricants.
Is One Better Than the Other?
No matter what your gender, size or shape, sex is always what you make it.
And honestly, the differences between circumcised and uncircumcised penises are subtle. So if your partner appeals to you, I say hop on that thing. Circumcised or not, they might be just the one you’re looking for.
Like this article? Check out Ducky DooLittle's book, "Sex With the Lights On: 200 Illuminating Sex Questions Answered."
