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VIEWS AND REVIEWS: Anonymous The joy of uncircumcising BMJ 1994; 309: 676a-877a [Full text]

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The Joy of Uncircumcision: A Decade Later

George Hill   (22 November 2004)

The joy of uncircumcising

Kevin J Elks   (1 December 2004)

...if I could only undo this....

Dr. Herbert H. Nehrlich   (2 December 2004)

The Joy of Uncircumcision: A Decade Later 22 November 2004
George Hill, Executive Secretary Doctors Opposing Circumcsion, Suite 42, 2442 NW Market Street, Seattle, Washington 98107, USA Send response to journal: Re: The Joy of Uncircumcision: A Decade Later	To the Editor: A decade has passed since the publication of this anonymous report by someone who restored his foreskin.1 Since the publication of this report, the popularity of foreskin restoration among circumcised males has soared (although from a very low base). The medical community has remained aloof and embarrassed by the success and popularity of foreskin restoration. Little has been published in the literature in the decade since the publication of this report. However, the disapproval of the medical community has not stopped growth of the foreskin restoration movement. Laymen have invented and developed a wide range of ingenious devices to assist in the application of traction to the residual shaft skin to encourage tissue expansion, which may be found on the Internet. Use of these devices speeds a slow process and makes the undertaking of foreskin restoration more attractive. The number of foreskin restorers is unknown because foreskin restoration is private matter, however the sale of books and devices, and the presence of mail lists on the Internet indicate an ever-increasing popularity. Circumcised males in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and elsewhere either have restored or are restoring their foreskins. The ridged band of highly innervated and vascularised tissue occurs near the tip of the foreskin, so it is always removed by circumcision,2 and cannot be restored. Some nerves, however, are present in the shaft skin from the distal margin to where hairy skin begins;3 foreskin restoration restores the mobility of the shaft skin, enabling more stimulation of these residual nerves during coitus, and probably accounts for most of the increase in sensation reported by a multitude of restoring males. A recent cost-utility analysis firmly establishes that neonatal circumcision has a net adverse impact on health.4 Boyle et al. have proposed foreskin restoration as a treatment for the psychological ills that afflict some circumcised males.5 It is time for the world medical community to renounce child circumcision and to embrace foreskin restoration. Research is needed to establish the best and fastest ways to restore foreskins. How does restoration increase sensation? Would topical application of human growth hormone (HGH) improve the rate of skin growth? The medical community should conduct controlled studies to answer these questions and others and to assist wounded men in repairing the damage done by circumcision. George Hill Executive Secretary Doctors Opposing Circumcision Suite 42 2442 NW Market Street Seattle, Washington 98107 USA Web: http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcsion.org/ References 1. Anonymous. The joy of uncircumcising. BMJ 1994;309:676-7. 2. Taylor JR, Lockwood AP, Taylor AJ. The prepuce: specialized mucosa of the penis and its loss to circumcision. Br J Urol 1996;77:291-5. 3. Winkelmann RK. The erogenous zones: their nerve supply and significance. Mayo Clin Proc 1959;34(2):39-47. 4. Van Howe RS. A cost-utility analysis of neonatal circumcision. Med Decis Making 2004;24:584-601. Boyle GJ, Goldman R, Svoboda JS, Fernandez E. Male circumcision: pain, trauma and psychosexual sequelae. J Health Psychology 2002;7(3):329-43. Competing interests: None declared
The joy of uncircumcising 1 December 2004
Kevin J Elks, Business Advisor Valley Works, London Road, Temple Ewell, Dover, Kent CT16 3DJ Send response to journal: Re: The joy of uncircumcising	To the editor, In response to the letter by George Hill “The Joy of Uncircumcision: A Decade Later” I would like to give some input on this subject. In the UK the rate of circumcision through the National Health Service has been quoted to me as 5% by the Department of Health for medical reasons. Although met with silence if the ‘circumcision clinics’ are mentioned within National Health Service these clinics appear to have been set up to perform religious circumcisions within the NHS. Total figures of male population circumcised have been quoted as 15.8% that would take into account these religious circumcisions. From my own experience being a male circumcised within the NHS at eight days old back in 1949 I can attest to the trauma such treatment can cause and how long lived the effects that get worse rather than better. My own example is not however of any value if it were not supported by the wave of discontented people that have been able to educate themselves on the issue of male circumcision. Now more commonly referred to as Male Genital Mutilation amongst those who are increasingly considering themselves victims, this education has only been possible because of the Internet. Unfortunately it is not only the lives of the circumcised male that can be adversely affected, it also extends to the family of that person. If the process has caused lasting effects often starting as a ‘clingy child’ or a shy and retarded individual it can also have effects of increased anger and obsessive behavior. Sexual frustrations can build as age takes it’s toll on relationships that are added to by the already desensitized penis. Constant background sensation would appear to build up a brain threshold as it does with those who suffer constant pain. Sexual intercourse to ejaculation must be accompanied by added stimulation to rise well above the threshold level making sex vigorous and of longer duration, far less gentle than the female would wish. Frustrations like this are an added risk to relationships if they are to survive into old age. I know from the requests for simple products and the analysis of website statistics that this interest in foreskin restoration is growing. I also know from personal responses sent to me that there is growing anger about their circumcision, not always the result of ‘botched’ circumcisions. The ignorance that still exists about the foreskin and glans does not do justice to the medical profession that amputate highly sensitive and functional skin from the penis, often from those that did not and could not give consent (children). I have a suspicion that the reaction between the glans, frenulum, ridge bands and the nervous system during sex is far more complex than sensitivity or the number of nerves present in the penis. Those who are perhaps rather cynical may conclude that the medical profession is not yet advanced enough to tackle a subject that at present is way beyond their capabilities. Kevin J. Elks. Stop Mutilating Children. Etondale, Slip Lane, Alkham, Dover, Kent. CT15 7EF Web: http://www.stop-mutilating-children.org.uk Restoration Web: http://www.foreskin-restoration.eu.com Competing interests: None declared
...if I could only undo this.... 2 December 2004
Dr. Herbert H. Nehrlich, Private Practice Bribie Island, Australia 4507 Send response to journal: Re: ...if I could only undo this....	Well now. The subject of uncircumcision reminds me of the mother who ran after the baby that had been thrown out with the bath water. And, then again, it reminds me even more vividly of THIS young lad who, in the early days of his wondrous sexual discovery, had taken full and satisfying advantage of a romantic dinner of MacDonalds, Italian Valpolicella and el cheapo candles in his university quarters and succeeded to enter (what had been agreed upon as)highly classified and forbidden territory. The urge to UNDO soon escalated into outright panic and - from memory - it was then left to the Gods. Who did show mercy. If I had been blessed with foolish parents I would have been circumcised and I would, no doubt, be one of the people who seek the truth in achieving and experiencing the full sensory experience we are meant to have. From an entirely sober medical viewpoint, it is highly unlikely that restoration of the missing links will do anything beyond an improved cosmetic appearance but there is always the placebo effect. Circumcision, the world needs to be told, is no more necessary than tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and most other -ectomies. My wife actually has a name for the friendly fellow. She says leave 'well enough' alone. Competing interests: None declared