Circumcision during the phallic period: does it affect the psychosexual functions in adulthood?

The aim of this study was to elucidate whether circumcision during the phallic period (3-to 6-year old) has a negative impact on psychosexual functions in adulthood. Over a 6-month period, healthy and sexually active men between 30 and 40 years without any comorbidities were involved. Participants were evaluated with detailed history, physical examination, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and Beck Depression Inventory. Cases were divided into two groups according to the age at circumcision (group-1: phallic period, group-2: nonphallic period). Student's t-test and Kruskall-Wallis were used for statistical analysis. Of the 321 participants, a total of 302 men were eligible for the study (group-1: n = 135, group-2: n = 167). No statistical difference was found between the mean total IIEF scores (group-1: 25.1 ± 4.8, group-2: 25.4 ± 4.6, P > 0.05). The subdomains of IIEF; erectile function, orgasm, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, overall satisfaction were also found to be comparable. Additionally, the PEDT scores were similar between the two groups (group-1: 8.2 ± 4.8, group-2: 8.7 ± 5.4, P > 0.05). Finally, Beck depression scores were also found to be comparable between the groups (group-1: 10.8 ± 10.4, group-2: 9.8 ± 8.9, P > 0.05). Our results suggest that circumcision during the phallic period does not negatively affect the psychosexual functions in adulthood.