TresSugar

Do You Prefer Sex With a Circumcised or Uncircumcised Man?

TresSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:00:00 -0700

There's been a big push in Africa to get men circumcised in order to reduce their risk of contracting HIV. A recent study dedicated to evaluating the health benefits of male circumcision in Uganda decided to go further and see how the practice impacted a patient's sex life. The results show that 40 percent of women said that they had more satisfying sex after their partner was circumcised. (Note: 57 percent reported no change and three percent said sex was less satisfying.)

Women credited a variety of factors for their increase in pleasure, including improved hygiene, a longer period before their partner climaxed, and an increased sex drive from their partner.

I've heard anecdotal evidence to support a wide range of opinions on the topic. Some women say sex is much better when a man is au naturel, while others are turned off by the foreskin. And some women I know don't have an opinion either way. What about you?

Source: Flickr User Brains the head

Do You Like Your Men Snipped?

TresSugar — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:00:00 -0700

In 1960, 90 percent of American boys were circumcised. Today, studies put the rate at about 57 percent.

Since circumcision is not a given anymore, parents struggle with the decision of whether or not to snip a tiny piece of foreskin from their sons' penises. Some families point to religious or medical reasons for circumcision (uncircumcised males may have a higher risk of health problems in the future), but other parents consider the practice unnatural. The dilemma is even the subject of Partly Private a documentary debuting at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Since parents are having a tough time making a decision, I thought I'd let you all weigh in. Does it matter to you if a man is circumcised?

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Do Tell: Have You Ever Been With an Uncircumcised Man?

DearSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

The jury is still out when it comes to circumcising your kids, but when you meet a man as an adult, that decision was already made for him long ago. While circumcision is done for several reasons - so sons can look like their fathers, for religious purposes, or for cleanliness - medical research still wavers as to what's better. Since many are opting against it, do tell, have you ever been with an uncircumcised man? If so, was it any different from being with a man who was circumcised?

Circumcised or Not?

DearSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 08:00:00 -0700

When we were babies, most guys got circumcised. Not all of them, but most of them. It all depended on the parents' religion or personal preference. Things are changing though, and now I feel like many new parents are choosing not to circumcise their sons.

That being said, it can't change the fact that circumcision was pretty popular 20 - 30 years ago. Most of the guys I know were circumcised, but I don't really prefer one to the other. I mean, it's not like these guys had any choice in the matter, so as long as it works, I'm happy.

What about you? When it comes to guys, do you prefer them circumcised or not circumcised?

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Egypt Bans Female Circumcision

DearSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I was reading an article today about a 12 year old girl in Egypt who died during a $9 female circumcision procedure at an illegal clinic. It's believed that an overdose of anesthesia was the cause, but her death has sparked government and health officials to ban female circumcision, or genital mutilation. It is now "prohibited for doctors, nurses or any other person to carry out any cut of, flattening or modification of any natural part of the female reproductive system, either in government hospitals, non-government hospitals or any other places."

Female genital mutilation usually involves the removal of the entire clitoris which the Muslims and Christians who practice this believe, feel it tames a girl's sexual desire and maintains her honor.

A 2003 survey by UNICEF showed that 97% of married women have undergone this procedure and that as many as 50.3% were circumcised as early as 10 years old. Many parents believe circumcision is the only way to protect their daughters virginity before they marry.

Opponents of female circumcision believe that it's harmful to women, that they can bleed to death, suffer chronic urinary infections, and have life-threatening complications during childbirth as a result of the procedure.

I'm sure all women reading this will cringe and agree that female circumcision is all about taking the pleasure of sex away from women. I see it as a crime against women, but what about the popularity of male circumcision in the U.S.? Is it the same thing? Would people in Egypt think we are committing a crime against men? What do you think?

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If You Gave Birth to a Baby Boy, Would You Have Him Circumcised?

DearSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:00:00 -0700

My mom said that when I was a kid, it was pretty common to circumcise your son when he was born. Times were different back then though - my mom also said it wasn't "proper" to whip your boob out in public, so instead of breastfeeding, the nurse put ice packs on her breasts.

Nowadays, we know how important breastfeeding is to the baby's health, and circumcision - well, some people are starting to disagree with it, calling it immoral, and against the baby's wishes (you can't really ask a baby boy if he wants his foreskin removed or not!).

In the 1960s, nearly 90% of American baby boys were circumcised, and in the 1970s, that rate began to drop. In 2004, it was reported that only 57% of baby boys were circumcised. So there has been a definite decline in the amount of newborn males having this operation.

Still many parents do agree with circumcision for many reasons - some want their baby to look like their father, others are following Jewish tradition (boys are circumcised during a ceremony called a bris), and others feel that it's cleaner and may help prevent certain infections, STIs or types of cancer.

Source

So I want to know...

Kenyan Council of Elders Cuts Off Support of Circumcision

LibertySugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:15:00 -0700

Despite its ability to help prevent the spread of HIV, the Luo Council of Elders in Kenya is not down with male circumcision because the practice conflicts with the community's culture.

But more than culture informs the influential council's decision to reject a widespread initiative which would offer free circumcision. Some elders do not believe it actually prevents HIV infection, while others worry that circumcised men would stop wearing condoms. Thus, the elders oppose the effort by the Kenyan government to make circumcision more culturally accepted.

Resistance to circumcision is not the only cultural practice inhibiting HIV prevention in Kenya, where 2.5 million people (out of 35 million) live with HIV or AIDS - the practice of wife inheritance doesn't help either. When a husband dies, the widow often marries her brother-in-law or another man chosen by the elders. As you might imagine, this too facilitates the passing of the deadly disease.

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Front Page: Murder Suspect Ryan Jenkins Found Dead in Motel

TresSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:00:34 -0700

Fugitive murder suspect and former reality contestant Ryan Jenkins was found dead in a motel in Canada in an apparent suicide. Jenkins was accused of killing his ex-wife. - AP
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are considering promoting routine circumcision for all US-born boys as a method of HIV prevention. - New York Times
Greek firefighters are trying to control fires on two fronts, both approaching Athens. - Bloomberg
The US Justice Department has recommended reopening investigations into prisoner abuse allegations, potentially exposing CIA agents to prosecution. - Reuters

Condoms Not Preventing HIV in Africa?

LibertySugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:30:57 -0700

Prominent researchers are advocating a dramatic shift in HIV-prevention priorities. A new study says that significant funding is being wasted in Africa on condom distribution, HIV testing, and vaccine research. Instead, money should be spent on male circumcision, reducing the number of sexual partners, and improving health systems in African countries.

The researches say that the strongest evidence supporting the shift in priorities is the fact that the infection rate has not dropped, despite years of condom and testing awareness. Conversely, male circumcision significantly reduced the risk, as has a reduction in the number of partners.

According to BBC, two-thirds of HIV infections happen in Africa. But, some health experts say that HIV prevention is getting too much funding. HIV causes 3.7 percent of all deaths worldwide; yet, it receives 25 percent of the funding.

Are you surprised that the study purports that condoms and testing are not working? Do you think HIV research should get less funding, as it causes proportionately less deaths than the money spent on it? Or, do societies have an interest in eradicating a particularly horrifying disease?

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Risk of Heterosexual Global AIDS Pandemic Decreased

LibertySugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:00:52 -0700

The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that the risk of a global AIDS pandemic among heterosexuals has decreased. Of course this assessment does not apply to Africa.

Dr. Kevin de Cock, the head of the WHO's department of HIV/Aids said:

It is very unlikely there will be a heterosexual epidemic in other countries. Ten years ago a lot of people were saying there would be a generalized epidemic in Asia – China was the big worry with its huge population. That doesn't look likely. But we have to be careful.

Certain areas are still at risk. In Russia, in 2006, 1 percent of the population was infected, the same number as South Africa in 1991, whose infection rate has now risen to 25 percent of the population. Yet, experts doubt that Russia will see the same dramatic rise.

Recent research claims that significant funding is being wasted in Africa on condom distribution, HIV testing, and vaccine research. Instead, some say, money should be spent on male circumcision, reducing the number of sexual partners, and improving health systems. Is it time to reassess the global AIDS initiative? Should we concentrate funds on high-risk locations, or continue a broad education campaign, which appears to be working in many places?

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