Mark, 40 - Plymouth
Where were you born?
Plymouth
When did you first become aware of circumcision?
I first became aware of circumcision when I was about 11 or 12 years old, from watching porn videos and seeing men in changing rooms at swimming pools. I first noticed a guy at the pool when I went with some mates - the pool was one of the older type where the showers were in a big open area. I noticed a guy there and remember looking and thinking ‘Wow, where is his foreskin?’. When I got home I tried to pull mine back to look like his. I found this turned me on but that didn’t last long as I struggled and failed to pull it back.
Are any members of your immediate family circumcised?
The only member of my family that I know of is my cousin, who I saw getting changed in a swimming pool with me once. I never discussed it with him, but just remember we were about 12 and while getting changed I happened to look at him and saw he was cut. As far as I know nobody else in our family is, so I imagine he was done for medical reasons like me.
At what age were you circumcised?
I was circumcised when I was 28. I think it was nerves about going to see the doctor and having it done that made me leave it so long. I read some personal stories about circumcision online - some good and some bad - it must have been the bad ones that put me off. I remember reading that you couldn’t get a hard on for so many weeks after the procedure and that you would be extremely swollen and in pain. After having it done I found it is nothing like that and my only regret is not getting it done a lot sooner.
What is the main reason you were circumcised?
The reason for my circumcision was I had a tight foreskin that when pulled back was extremely uncomfortable and hard to return.
Plymouth
When did you first become aware of circumcision?
I first became aware of circumcision when I was about 11 or 12 years old, from watching porn videos and seeing men in changing rooms at swimming pools. I first noticed a guy at the pool when I went with some mates - the pool was one of the older type where the showers were in a big open area. I noticed a guy there and remember looking and thinking ‘Wow, where is his foreskin?’. When I got home I tried to pull mine back to look like his. I found this turned me on but that didn’t last long as I struggled and failed to pull it back.
Are any members of your immediate family circumcised?
The only member of my family that I know of is my cousin, who I saw getting changed in a swimming pool with me once. I never discussed it with him, but just remember we were about 12 and while getting changed I happened to look at him and saw he was cut. As far as I know nobody else in our family is, so I imagine he was done for medical reasons like me.
At what age were you circumcised?
I was circumcised when I was 28. I think it was nerves about going to see the doctor and having it done that made me leave it so long. I read some personal stories about circumcision online - some good and some bad - it must have been the bad ones that put me off. I remember reading that you couldn’t get a hard on for so many weeks after the procedure and that you would be extremely swollen and in pain. After having it done I found it is nothing like that and my only regret is not getting it done a lot sooner.
What is the main reason you were circumcised?
The reason for my circumcision was I had a tight foreskin that when pulled back was extremely uncomfortable and hard to return.
"I noticed a guy there and remember looking and thinking ‘Wow, where is his foreskin?’"
Are you happy about being circumcised?
I am extremely happy with being circumcised and only wish I had had done it earlier. It has come up in conversation with sexual partners. I remember once when having some fun with a guy, he undressed me and upon seeing my dick commented ‘I didn’t realise you were Jewish'. I then had to explain to him that I wasn’t and had it done for medical reasons. Another time a guy said, ‘I love a circumcised guy! I don’t see many,’ he found it a turn on.
What is the best/worst thing about being circumcised?
For me the best thing is the appearance and hygiene levels. I love the look and feel of my circumcised penis, the sensation is more intense and I found I have more sensitivity. Before I was cut I wasn’t able to retract my foreskin which made it hard to keep it clean underneath. I can now say I’m a proud supporter and lover of Team Helmet.
If you had a son, would you circumcise him?
Being a gay man it is highly unlikely I will have a son, but if I did I would probably have him circumcised.
I am extremely happy with being circumcised and only wish I had had done it earlier. It has come up in conversation with sexual partners. I remember once when having some fun with a guy, he undressed me and upon seeing my dick commented ‘I didn’t realise you were Jewish'. I then had to explain to him that I wasn’t and had it done for medical reasons. Another time a guy said, ‘I love a circumcised guy! I don’t see many,’ he found it a turn on.
What is the best/worst thing about being circumcised?
For me the best thing is the appearance and hygiene levels. I love the look and feel of my circumcised penis, the sensation is more intense and I found I have more sensitivity. Before I was cut I wasn’t able to retract my foreskin which made it hard to keep it clean underneath. I can now say I’m a proud supporter and lover of Team Helmet.
If you had a son, would you circumcise him?
Being a gay man it is highly unlikely I will have a son, but if I did I would probably have him circumcised.