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Circumcision and Vasectomy: Do They Affect Sexual Function?

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Men's Sexual Health and Fertility

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Abstract

Male circumcision and vasectomy are two surgical interventions reported to affect sexual function. In this review, we summarize past and current data examining the impact of circumcision and vasectomy on various areas of sexual function. Circumcision may impact ejaculatory latency, reported sexual satisfaction, sexual function and may decrease the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Similarly, vasectomy has been associated with changes in the male psyche and sexual function, hormonal levels, and even female sexual function. While the majority of data summarizing these results are small, retrospective series, overall there is an equivocal effect on sexual function for both circumcision and vasectomy. Nevertheless, care providers are recommended to counsel men on the possible impact of circumcision or vasectomy on sexual dysfunction.

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Abbreviations

AIDS:

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

HIV:

Human immunodeficiency virus

ED:

Erectile dysfunction

HPV:

Human papilloma virus

IIEF:

International Index of Erectile Function

MC:

Male circumcision

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York Presbyterian Hospital–Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    E. Charles Osterberg

  2. Department of Urology and Public Health, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Richard K. Lee

  3. Department of Urology, Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 525 E. 68th Street, 269, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Philip S. Li

Authors
  1. E. Charles Osterberg
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  2. Richard K. Lee
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  3. Philip S. Li
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philip S. Li .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA

    John P. Mulhall

  2. Department of Urology, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, California, USA

    Wayland Hsiao

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Osterberg, E.C., Lee, R.K., Li, P.S. (2014). Circumcision and Vasectomy: Do They Affect Sexual Function?. In: Mulhall, J., Hsiao, W. (eds) Men's Sexual Health and Fertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0425-9_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0425-9_14

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