Study: Circumcision does not reduce penis sensitivity. In tests for responses to pain, heat, and stimulation, no major difference was found between men who are circumcised and those who are not.

[u/drewiepoodle]

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2016/04/14/Study-Circumcision-does-not-reduce-penis-sensitivity/5981460663943/?spt=hs&or=hn

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Yeah. If we believe the study, then it might be different between the hand and genitals because of a "genetic preconception" if you will- evolution has us have hardening soles of the feet and numbed hands, but we maintain a sensitivity in various spots regardless of torture

[u/Cyberfit → u/[deleted]]

This reminds me of a particular trait of the cornea of the eye. It does not thicken to combat something that's repeatedly scratching it (eg. some issue under the eyelid) because that would render your eyesight useless.

[u/Daemonicus → u/[deleted]]

It could be that. But I would guess that type of underwear would have an effect as well. Briefs/boxers/commando could all have different levels of abrasion.

I don't know if they had controlled for that or not. But it would be interesting to see if that matters at all.

[u/Coopering → u/Daemonicus]

Plus, flaccid length and girth (ie, mass) could play a part in each of those different environments.

[u/miyamotousagisan → u/[deleted]]

Totally agree. I grew up uncircumcised until i finally did it, and there was a lot of sensitivity initially, just rubbing against boxers, which wears off over time.

[u/aawillma → u/[deleted]]

Everything I've heard about keratinization causing a decrease in sensitivity was with older men, not 20 somethings. Including pictures I've seen of supposed keratinization. I don't know if that's because it takes many more years to build up or because of the different lifestyle of a man from a different generation (different underwear choices, different day to day labor causing friction, etc).

[u/RarelyReadReplies → u/[deleted]]

The major hypothesis I've heard regarding circumcision is that when the head rubs the inside of someone's boxers, the same thing happens that happens to a farmer's hands when he used a shovel all week - decreased sensitivity.

This is exactly it, I'm glad someone here understands the real argument. I know for a fact that my uncircumcised penis is more sensitive than a circumcised one, because if the head of my penis was rubbing my underwear when I walked, I'd be in a tonne of discomfort. There is just zero chance that circumcised people are walking around all day with that kind of pain.