Researchers at McGill University used genital sensory testing on circumcised and uncircumcised men during various states of arousal. Results showed no difference between the two groups was found in sensitivity to either touch or pain.

"This study suggests that preconceptions of penile sensory differences between circumcised and uncircumcised men may be unfounded," said psychologist Kimberley Payne, principal author of the study.

"People have been arguing about the sexual effects of circumcision for at least 1,000 years and I hope these data will encourage more research," added Professor Yitzchak Binik, co-author of the research and director of the university's Sex and Couple Therapy Service.

The study is reported in the current issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine.