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Circumcision of the male penis has been practiced for thousands of years,
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often related to cultural and religious traditions.
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But whether you're "cut" or "uncut",
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is one better in terms of health, how it feels, or sex?
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Circumcision is a medical procedure that removes the foreskin from the head of the penis,
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exposing the glans.
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Though its exact origin and intent is still debated,
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by the time it became common in the English-speaking world (the 19th century),
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it was actually used in order to reduce sexual pleasure
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and as a deterrent to masturbation,
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which was believed to cause many mental and physical illnesses.
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But the medical benefits of circumcision came into question in the late 1960s
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when the research community came out against it,
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claiming that there was no clear medical benefit,
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and the risk for severe blood loss, infection, or death was high.
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This resulted in a decline in circumcised men.
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In the U.S., circumcision rates in hospitals dropped from 64.5% in 1979 to 58.3% in 2010,
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but worldwide, only around 33% of males are estimated to be circumcised.
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However, even more modern research has shown that it can reduce the risk of developing penile cancer
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and infections such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, and herpes.
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It can also reduce HIV risk by up to 60%.
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A study done in Uganda involving heterosexual couples where one partner was HIV positive
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showed that none of the circumcised men received HIV over the 30 months,
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while 40 out of 137 men that were not circumcised ended up developing HIV.
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This evidence holds true across Sub-Saharan Africa, but is not as clear in developed nations
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or between homosexual men where more studies are needed.
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For women, a circumcised sexual partner may have a reduced risk of HPV,
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thereby reducing their risk of developing cervical cancer.
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So, how does circumcision protect against STIs?
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A study completed by Dr. Price and his team at Northern Arizona University
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showed that one year after adult circumcision, the males ended up with 81% less bacteria on and around their penis.
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Dr. Price explained that, with uncircumcised men, the foreskin may be susceptible to infection
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because the bacteria overload could prevent specialized skin cells, known as Langerhans cells,
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from stimulating the immune system.
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However, with good hygiene, these risks can be minimized.
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The benefits of circumcision begin to decrease when you study sexual pleasure.
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Research indicates the the removal of the foreskin reduces sensitivity of the penis.
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The foreskin is innervated with specialized nerves that can detect light touch,
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like the nerves found on our fingertips and lips.
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The most sensitive part of the penis is found between the transition region
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between the external and internal part of the foreskin,
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which is the region exposed when the foreskin rolls back during sexual activity.
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Studies have shown that even the most sensitive part of a circumcised penis
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is not as sensitive as the foreskin.
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But this reduced sensitivity due to circumcision could allow men to last longer during sex.
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One study documented 47 men who experienced premature ejaculation.
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When studying before vs after circumcision, it was found that the time of ejaculation
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increased almost tenfold once they were circumcised, and partner satisfaction increased as well.
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When it comes to visual preference for circumcised or uncircumcised penises,
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it's mostly based on experiences and biases.
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The Canadian Pediatric Association claims that, because of the low risk of infection in North America,
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mandatory circumcision is not warranted.
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However, in parts of the world where STIs are rampant, the benefits of circumcision could outweigh the risk.
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At the end of the day, if you live in a developed nation and are hygienic,
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there isn't that big of a difference between the two.