Gliding action

Gliding action is a term used to refer to the possible motion of the foreskin during intercourse. Gliding action may reduce friction during sexual intercourse. The presence of the gliding action, although no research has been done, may be variable. It may be specific to men with longer foreskins. Genital integrity activists argue that it is an important part of sexual intercourse.

The foreskin is attached to the penis only near the symphysis pubis and behind the glans penis. Genital integrity activists, who oppose infant circumcision, argue that it is important for the foreskin to glide (or roll) back and forth during vaginal intercourse. The gliding action was described by Lakshamanan & Prakash in 1980: [1]:

"The outer layer of the prepuce in common with the skin of the shaft of the penis glides freely in a to and fro fashion..."

Genital integrity advocates Warren & Bigelow claim that gliding action would help to reduce vaginal dryness and that restoration of the gliding action is an important advantage of foreskin restoration. [2] A survey by genital integrity activists Bensley & Boyle provides some confirmation that gliding action provides protection of vaginal lubrication.[3] The authors explain, however, that their subjects were self-selected and a larger sample size is needed.

Genital integrity activist O'Hara describes the gliding action:

"During intercourse, the natural penis shaft actually glides within its own shaft skin covering. This minimizes friction to the vaginal walls and opening, and to the shaft skin itself, adding immeasurably to the comfort and pleasure of both parties."

"Friction is not entirely eliminated during natural intercourse but it is largely eliminated. Friction can take place in the lower vagina, but only if the man uses a stroke that exceeds the (forward and backward) gliding range of the shaft's extra skin. And in such a case, there will be friction only to the extent that the shaft exceeded its extra skin, which is uncommon since the natural penis has a propensity for short strokes. Primarily, it is the penis head that makes frictional contact with the vaginal walls, usually in the upper vagina where there is ample lubrication....The gliding principle of natural intercourse is a two-way street—the vagina glides on the shaft skin while the shaft skin massages the penis shaft as it glides over it. (O'Hara, p.72)

Fleiss and Hodges, genital integrity activists, claim:

The foreskin's double-layered sheath enables the penile shaft skin to glide back and forth over the penile shaft.(p.24)

The foreskin enables the penis to slip in and out of the vagina nonabrasively inside its own slick sheath of self-lubricating movable skin.(p.26)

Taylor, a genital integrity activist, suggests that the gliding action, where it occurs, may stimulate the nerves of the ridged band [4], and speculates that the stretching of the frenulum by the rearward gliding action during penetration triggers ejaculation. [5]

The foreskin glides as the penis penetrates the vagina. The opinion of Whiddon (1953) and Foley (1966) is that ease of penetration during coitus is provided by the foreskin[6] [7]. Participants in a 2002 study by Bailey reported the opposite opinion[8].

In the first study of its kind, Taves tested the actual force required to penetrate, using a single subject, an apparatus designed to measure the force needed. A ten-fold increase in force was observed in the absence of the foreskin.[9]

Schoeberlein (1966) reports that 8.8 percent of young German males aged 18-22 still have phimosis. This may prevent gliding action. Schoeberlien also reports a wide variety of foreskin length, possibly affecting the degree or existence of gliding action in these individuals. [10]

The presence of a gliding action has never been examined scientifically. In Babywatching (1991), Desmond Morris claims circumcision "has no effect, one way or the other, on the sexual performance of the adult male", though he does not discuss gliding action specifically. ISBN 0224060112

• Lakshmanan S, Prakash S. Human prepuce: some aspects of structure and function. Indian J Surg 1980;44:134–37 [11]

• Warren J, Bigelow J. The case against circumcision. Br J Sex Med 1994; Sept/Oct: 6–8 [12]

• Jim Bigelow, Ph.D. The Joy of Uncircumcising!: Restore Your Birthright and Maximize Sexual Pleasure. Aptos, CA: Hourglass Book Publishing, 1992, 1995: pp. 4, 11, 17, 25–26, 30, 138, 181.

• Kristen O'Hara with Jeffrey O'Hara. Chapter 5 In: Sex as Nature Intended It. Hudson, Massachusetts, 2001: pp. 69–79. (ISBN 0-9700442-0-8)

• Paul Fleiss, M.D. and Frederick Hodges, D. Phil. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Circumcision. New York: Warner Books, 2002: pp. 26–8. (ISBN 0-446-67880-5)

• Masters WH, Johnson VE. Human Sexual Response. Boston: Little, Brown & Co 1966: 189–91.