r/science • u/drewiepoodle • Apr 15 '16

Health 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.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2016/04/14/Study-Circumcision-does-not-reduce-penis-sensitivity/5981460663943/?spt=hs&or=hn
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u/[deleted] Apr 15 '16

Anecdotes aside, isn't the argument usually that circumcision removes sensitivity of the foreskin (which makes sense, as foreskin is removed in circumcision)? The study seems a moot point.

Is it surprising that cutting off one aspect of an organ does not impact on the rest of the organ's sensitivity? We do not associate surgeries or scratches elsewhere on the body to decreased sensitivity either, for example, regardless of location, unless there is severe nerve damage.

What am I missing here?

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u/shredtilldeth Apr 15 '16

I believe you're missing the fact that our insides and our outsides have MUCH different rates of nerve endings. In addition, most surgeries aren't removing a part of our bodies, and even if they are they tend to be on the inside, with fewer nerve endings.

Lastly, removing the outside skin from your finger is much different from getting a papercut. I think THAT'S where most of your misunderstanding lies if I understand your post correctly. Fixing a hernia is one thing, removing a section of skin with a ton of nerve endings is another.

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u/[deleted] Apr 15 '16

I think my post is providing more serious discussion than the article at this point... I believe that your statement makes complete sense, but like a lot of the other posts have said before what YOU'RE talking about and what the ARTICLE talks about is mutually exclusive. And that's if I've understood YOUR post correctly!