Harry, 27 - USA
Where were you born?
London.
When did you first become aware of circumcision?
I first became aware of circumcision when I was very nearly circumcised as a little boy to stop repeated urinary tract infections. In the end the UTI's ceased and I was never circumcised. The first time I became aware circumcision that was performed for non-medical or religious reasons was when I was visiting my family in the USA. My mother’s side of the family is from the states and I grew up very Americanized. We were young at the time and whilst getting changed to go swimming I noticed that all my American cousins were circumcised. At the time I was a child and uncut, so I guess they presume that I'm still that way. I can't recall ever talking to them about being uncut. However, we are still very close, so if they ever need any advice on whether to circumcise any sons they have one day, I'll be on hand to offer my experience.
London.
When did you first become aware of circumcision?
I first became aware of circumcision when I was very nearly circumcised as a little boy to stop repeated urinary tract infections. In the end the UTI's ceased and I was never circumcised. The first time I became aware circumcision that was performed for non-medical or religious reasons was when I was visiting my family in the USA. My mother’s side of the family is from the states and I grew up very Americanized. We were young at the time and whilst getting changed to go swimming I noticed that all my American cousins were circumcised. At the time I was a child and uncut, so I guess they presume that I'm still that way. I can't recall ever talking to them about being uncut. However, we are still very close, so if they ever need any advice on whether to circumcise any sons they have one day, I'll be on hand to offer my experience.
Are any members of your family circumcised?
I know that my cousins were circumcised at birth and that my grandfather was circumcised later in life for health reasons.
At what age were you circumcised?
I was circumcised at age 17.
What is the main reason you were circumcised?
My frenulum tore and after healing became inelastic and painful to pull on, I tried a minor surgical procedure, but ultimately the frenulum area was still too tight. All in all, it was a pretty terrible affair.
Are you happy about being circumcised?
At first I was not happy with the idea. I tried speaking to doctors and surgeons about more alternative treatments, but they insisted that circumcision was the best option for me. I reluctantly accepted to go through with the operation. Following the procedure, I made the mistake of reading through all of the online propaganda regarding how ‘terrible’ circumcision is, which made me feel even worse about my decision.
The over sensitive head of my penis was very uncomfortable following the operation, but that quickly died down. I think it is important to note that the only form of sensitivity I have lost in comparison to the uncircumcised version of me, is the type of over sensitivity that causes discomfort when something rubs along your helmet. A few months and a lot of healing later, I realised that almost all of the anti-circumcision information put out online wasn't true which was a huge relief, I could go back and enjoy sexual activity the same as before, feeling a lot more reassured once I started to experience my ‘new’ penis. I am cut relatively low and relatively tight, with my frenulum removed, and ten years on from my circumcision I am still happy with how things worked out.
I know that my cousins were circumcised at birth and that my grandfather was circumcised later in life for health reasons.
At what age were you circumcised?
I was circumcised at age 17.
What is the main reason you were circumcised?
My frenulum tore and after healing became inelastic and painful to pull on, I tried a minor surgical procedure, but ultimately the frenulum area was still too tight. All in all, it was a pretty terrible affair.
Are you happy about being circumcised?
At first I was not happy with the idea. I tried speaking to doctors and surgeons about more alternative treatments, but they insisted that circumcision was the best option for me. I reluctantly accepted to go through with the operation. Following the procedure, I made the mistake of reading through all of the online propaganda regarding how ‘terrible’ circumcision is, which made me feel even worse about my decision.
The over sensitive head of my penis was very uncomfortable following the operation, but that quickly died down. I think it is important to note that the only form of sensitivity I have lost in comparison to the uncircumcised version of me, is the type of over sensitivity that causes discomfort when something rubs along your helmet. A few months and a lot of healing later, I realised that almost all of the anti-circumcision information put out online wasn't true which was a huge relief, I could go back and enjoy sexual activity the same as before, feeling a lot more reassured once I started to experience my ‘new’ penis. I am cut relatively low and relatively tight, with my frenulum removed, and ten years on from my circumcision I am still happy with how things worked out.
"My American partner firmly believes that any sons we have should be circumcised too."
What is the best and worst thing about being circumcised?
The best thing for me is that my sexual pleasure and functioning hasn't been affected. Having experienced both uncircumcised and circumcised, I can safely say (in my experience at least) that the distinctive feelings associated with different sex acts do not change. I also feel good now knowing that I don't run the risk of going through a torn frenulum again.
The worst thing about being circumcised for me, is the extra clean up required following using lube or lotion for self-pleasure. I will say that I can easily masturbate without any form of lube as the shaft, inner skin, frenulum area and circumcision scar are highly sensitive, however I find that lube or lotion is best for stimulating the head, which for me is the most sensitive area. I have heard that it is fairly common for your style of masturbation to change following circumcision. For me the only slight difference is that I use more of a circular motion, twisting my wrist more, I definitely still use the same hand though.
Thankfully, I’ve never had a sexual partner react negatively to me being circumcised. Occasionally I would get asked if I was Jewish, to which I had to explain that was done for medical reasons. For British women the norm is to interact with an uncircumcised penis, so it can provide a new experience for them, which has brought positive feedback from partners. One even said it was much more pleasing to look at than an uncut one. When I moved to the United States it was the norm for women my age to interact with circumcised guys, therefore to the American sexual partners I had it was expected.
I have spoken to my American partner about being circumcised, telling her I had it done later in life which was a shock to her. I remember bringing it up and explaining how I had the procedure done as a young man and how I had experienced both forms of penis, which she found rather interesting. This prompted lots of questions from her, and I admitted that I preferred my newer cut penis. For her growing up in the US circumcision was the norm, and she firmly believes that any sons we have should be circumcised too.
Have you had any memorable conversations about circumcision with mates?
Yes, I remember a very interesting and quite funny conversation with a group of friends at university. For one reason or another the conversation of circumcision came up and being relatively drunk at the time, I brazenly admitted that I was circumcised. We were drinking around a table in our first year flat. I can't quite remember why the conversation came up, as I was not completely sober. To my surprise, several of the lads in the group echoed this, stating that they had also been circumcised. It was a revelation to me, as I always figured that since my operation I was the odd one out among guys in the UK. I was a sort of light bulb moment when I realised I was not alone.
The best thing for me is that my sexual pleasure and functioning hasn't been affected. Having experienced both uncircumcised and circumcised, I can safely say (in my experience at least) that the distinctive feelings associated with different sex acts do not change. I also feel good now knowing that I don't run the risk of going through a torn frenulum again.
The worst thing about being circumcised for me, is the extra clean up required following using lube or lotion for self-pleasure. I will say that I can easily masturbate without any form of lube as the shaft, inner skin, frenulum area and circumcision scar are highly sensitive, however I find that lube or lotion is best for stimulating the head, which for me is the most sensitive area. I have heard that it is fairly common for your style of masturbation to change following circumcision. For me the only slight difference is that I use more of a circular motion, twisting my wrist more, I definitely still use the same hand though.
Thankfully, I’ve never had a sexual partner react negatively to me being circumcised. Occasionally I would get asked if I was Jewish, to which I had to explain that was done for medical reasons. For British women the norm is to interact with an uncircumcised penis, so it can provide a new experience for them, which has brought positive feedback from partners. One even said it was much more pleasing to look at than an uncut one. When I moved to the United States it was the norm for women my age to interact with circumcised guys, therefore to the American sexual partners I had it was expected.
I have spoken to my American partner about being circumcised, telling her I had it done later in life which was a shock to her. I remember bringing it up and explaining how I had the procedure done as a young man and how I had experienced both forms of penis, which she found rather interesting. This prompted lots of questions from her, and I admitted that I preferred my newer cut penis. For her growing up in the US circumcision was the norm, and she firmly believes that any sons we have should be circumcised too.
Have you had any memorable conversations about circumcision with mates?
Yes, I remember a very interesting and quite funny conversation with a group of friends at university. For one reason or another the conversation of circumcision came up and being relatively drunk at the time, I brazenly admitted that I was circumcised. We were drinking around a table in our first year flat. I can't quite remember why the conversation came up, as I was not completely sober. To my surprise, several of the lads in the group echoed this, stating that they had also been circumcised. It was a revelation to me, as I always figured that since my operation I was the odd one out among guys in the UK. I was a sort of light bulb moment when I realised I was not alone.
I think in the US circumcision is so widely practiced, that no one looks twice if you're cut, whether you have an American accent or not. Either way, I can't recall anyone ever pointing it out in a locker room. I have seen movies which paint uncircumcised penises in a bad light (Sex and the City being the most famous example), I've also heard people in real life make jokes about ‘anteaters’ as there sometimes called here.
If you had a son would you circumcise him?
If I had stayed in the UK and had a son, I would have probably left him uncircumcised, in order to fit in with the UK norm. However now that I live in a part of the United States where circumcision is more common, I am more on the fence. I wouldn’t want him to feel different from his peers, but at the same time there is always the worry that he would resent me later in life for making the decision on his behalf.
If you had a son would you circumcise him?
If I had stayed in the UK and had a son, I would have probably left him uncircumcised, in order to fit in with the UK norm. However now that I live in a part of the United States where circumcision is more common, I am more on the fence. I wouldn’t want him to feel different from his peers, but at the same time there is always the worry that he would resent me later in life for making the decision on his behalf.