Perhaps the first thing we think about when it comes to cut vs. uncut is sensation. One argument in favor of having a foreskin is the potential for a more pleasurable sexual experience. The foreskin contains a high concentration of nerve endings, resulting in increased sensitivity, leaving room for a more intense orgasm. That being said, both circumcised and uncircumcised men can lead fulfilling sex lives.

When you bathe, you at the very least have to hit the tits, pits, and man bits. If you are uncut, you may want to spend a little more time on the man bits part. It is believed the uncut cocks require a little more care when it comes to cleaning. If you don’t regularly clean under the hood, bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil can cause smegma: a secretion that occurs in the folds of foreskin. Smegma build-up can lead to odor and even inflammation of the foreskin (balanitis). Balanitis can cause pain, make pulling back the foreskin difficult, and can sometimes require medical attention. So you want to make sure you are polishing your knob well.

While a circumcised penis doesn’t require any additional cleaning, there is a higher chance of the penile skin getting dry, irritated, and chaffed without the foreskin. Lotioning post-shower can help combat dry skin. Think of it as self-care for your schlong. Avoiding tight-fitting underwear and pants can also protect your shaft while you strut your stuff. Using some lubrication for cuffing your carrot can reduce chafing. Which brings us to our next point.

Much like a vagina, an uncircumcised penis provides natural lubrication. This natural lubrication can reduce friction, creating a better experience for everyone involved. That being said, there is no evidence to support that our cut counterparts require more lubrication to achieve the same level of pleasure as uncut men. Luckily for both cut and uncut penises, there is a surplus of the artificial lubricants on the market to help them slide into sexual satisfaction. To learn more about water, silicone, and other lubricants on the market, check out our guide to lube here.

While an uncut penis may look bulkier when flaccid, whether you’re cut or uncut has no bearing on the size of your bell end. When erect, the foreskin retracts and virtually disappears, so it does not make a difference to penis size, regardless if you’re hard or not.

When it comes to appearance, there are some obvious differences between cut and uncut penises. As aforementioned, an uncut penis has foreskin which drapes over the head of the penis. Sort of like a celebrity with their hood up trying to avoid paparazzi. Cut penises are a bit like an early Britney Spears b-side: What U See (Is What U Get). The head of the penis is out and about at all times, whether erect or not.

Being cut or uncut will not affect your ability to conceive or your overall fertility. As we know, sperm production occurs in the balls, not the bell end. While there are other factors that can affect fertility, such as lifestyle and diet, your foreskin, or lack thereof, has no bearing on your ability to bear children.

As we know, men with cut penises aren’t as susceptible to infections like balanitis, but what about sexual transmitted infections (STIs)? Men without foreskins also have a reduced risk of contracting STIs such as genital herpes. That being said, this doesn’t mean you are fully covered because you are uncut. Cut or uncut, we should still be taking all the necessary precautions when partaking in sexual activities, such as routine testing and condoms.

Because men with uncut cocks are more prone to smegma and phimosis, they are generally at a higher risk for penile cancer. As we now know, all of which can be avoided with good hygiene. It is also important to note that women whose partners are uncut may have a reduced risk of developing cervical cancer as they are less likely to contract human papillomavirus (HPV) from their partner.

Circumcision or no circumcision, that is (and still remains) the question. Not to get all Shakespearean on your schlong, but you know we love a little theatrics. But really, is it favorable or unfavorable to have a foreskin? While being cut may reduce certain risks and having a foreskin may require a little extra attention, it really has little to no effect on your ability to have a fulfilling sex life. Perhaps the only difference will be the amount of time you spend in the shower and ultimately your water bill.