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Circumcision and Adult Sexual Function: What a New Study Means for Parents Considering Baby Circumcision
Circumcision and Adult Sexual Function: What a New Study Means for Parents Considering Baby Circumcision
A 2025 meta-analysis sheds light on a common concern for many parents: does circumcision affect a child’s sexual health later in life?
While the study doesn’t focus exclusively on baby circumcision, it compares men who were circumcised to those who were not—offering important insight into long-term outcomes related to satisfaction, comfort, and performance.
What the Study Looked At
Researchers analyzed data from 15 different studies, including over 14,000 men. They compared sexual outcomes across five areas:
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Sexual satisfaction
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Erectile function
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Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
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Orgasm difficulty
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Premature ejaculation
Because most circumcisions in the U.S. are performed during infancy, many of the men studied were likely circumcised as babies. However, the study did not separate results by age of circumcision. That’s important to keep in mind.
Key Findings: How Circumcision May Affect Sexual Function
The analysis revealed a few trends:
1. Greater Sexual Satisfaction
Men who were circumcised were more likely to report higher levels of satisfaction during sex.
2. Better Erectile Function
There was a slight, but statistically significant, improvement in erectile function among circumcised men.
3. Less Pain During Intercourse
Circumcised men reported less pain during sex. This may reflect reduced sensitivity to friction or other physical factors.
4. Fewer Orgasm Difficulties
They were also less likely to report trouble reaching orgasm.
5. No Clear Pattern for Premature Ejaculation
The data on ejaculation timing was inconclusive. More research is needed in this area.
What This Means for Parents Considering Baby Circumcision
This study doesn’t claim that baby circumcision guarantees improved sexual function. But it does offer reassurance: circumcision appears not to harm sexual outcomes and may offer modest benefits in comfort and satisfaction.
Every child is different, and sexual health in adulthood is shaped by many factors—physical, emotional, relational, and psychological. Still, this large-scale analysis supports the view that circumcision is safe in this regard.
Final Thoughts
Deciding whether to circumcise a newborn is personal. Cultural, religious, and medical factors often guide the choice. While this new research doesn’t provide a final answer, it helps inform the conversation with real-world data.
Want to learn more about baby circumcision in Atlanta?
Visit our Atlanta Baby Circumcision homepage or check out our Frequently Asked Questions to explore the process, timing, and benefits of the procedure.
Source
Yıldız Karaahmet A, Shafaati Laleh S. “The Influence of Circumcision on Male Sexual Function: A Meta-Analysis of Satisfaction, Erectile Function, and Dyspareunia.” Journal of Sex Research. 2025. PMID: 40376730 | DOI: 10.1080/0092623X.2025.2499141