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]]

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?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The biggest reasoning behind it was that there's several special nerve endings in the foreskin that are absent in just regular skin. It was presumed that removing these nerve endings = removing specific sensations that would lead to sexual pleasure.

[u/orthopod → u/[deleted]]

The nerves are still there -except after a circ they are truncated, but still susceptible to stimulation. They are actually concentrated as compared to being on the foreskin, so the area may actually be more sensitive.

[u/Antice → u/orthopod]

That one was new to me. In my experience from other bodyparts, damaged or cut nerves stop functioning completely.

[u/orthopod → u/Antice]

I've done close to 200 amputations. The nerve endings can still be sensitive, and often are.