Circumcision and Penis Sensitivity

There’s an old wives’ tale that circumcision can lead to a decreased level of penis sensitivity. The idea is that since the head of the penis is exposed instead of covered by foreskin, the tissue becomes harder over time, leading to a more difficult process of getting hard and then feeling the pleasure of self or partner stimulation. When Canadian scientists tested the sensitivity of circumcised and intact penises to touch, heat and pressure, they found that having foreskin doesn't increase sensitivity.

What is Circumcision?

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the skin concealing the tip of the penis. This action began in antiquity because several different cultures’ rites and rituals, most notably the Jewish tradition, saw circumcision as a covenant with good. This practice eventually became a social norm with doctors now performing the removal when not a part of religious or cultural custom.

Most commonly, circumcision is done within the first few days of a male child’s life; however, it can be performed any other time as is sometimes the necessity due to issues with the foreskin or personal aesthetic preference. In recent years, there has been a backlash to this long-established process on the basis that parents should not make a life-long decision about their son’s penis and also that the act can be traumatizing.

The Canadian Study

Canadian researchers tested the penis sensitivity of 62 males aged 18 to 37. Of the group, half were circumcised at birth while the other half had their complete foreskins. Now, it’s important to talk about the way sensitivity was measured. Since sex and masturbation are subjective events that rely on a man’s assumption of his penis sensitivity, the had to create a controlled setting and a tool that, when applied to various pressure points, gave a sensation which yielded a sensitivity to touch outcome. After that, these men were also tested by other sensations such as warmth, heat, and pressure.

The researchers found that there were no significant differences in sensation between men who had circumcised penises and those that did not. This information challenges the belief that circumcision negatively impacts penis sensitivity, at least in a controlled environment. The researchers do contend that sex with a partner may have other results since there is additional movement, lubrication, and psychological feelings at work.

Ways to Increase Penis Sensitivity

There are ways to increase and maintain sensitivity if a man does feel his penis sensitivity is suffering from circumcision or just the wear and tear of daily life. Smoking can have a negative effect on penis sensitivity, so if a man is smoking, he should stop as soon as possible or at least reduce his current habit. Also, occasionally airing out the penis (i.e. going nude from the waist down, but in the privacy of one’s home or nudist colony), also gives it a chance to reacquaint with the air and remove itself from the constriction of pants and underwear. Ditching skinny jeans for straight leg is also sensitivity enhancer, if not a smart fashion choice.

Another way to maintain sensitivity is to keep the delicate penile skin soft and strong. Rough patches can rob a man of sensitivity as can friction burn which can cause peripheral nerve damage, significantly decreasing penis sensitivity. Do this by moisturizing daily or more often with a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to soften skin with natural emollients and vitamins, while protecting the skin from nerve damage with the addition of L-Carnitine which specifically protects against that sensitivity stealer.