Decreased Penile Sensation: Causes, Treatment and Everything to Know
In this post, we’ll dive into the causes and symptoms of decreased penile sensation.
The penis is a sensitive organ of the body. It can become desensitized due to hyperstimulation over an excessive period.
A decreased penile sensation could be due to several reasons, including drug overdose, drug side effects, and specific medical procedures such as circumcision.
However, you can experience a decrease in penile sensation with age; it is a normal physiological aging process.
Being a man’s lack of penile sensation could affect your sexual life.
You may be suffering from reduced libido, loss of interest in sex, or the sensation isn’t the same as you used to feel it before. All of these issues affect sex life with your partner.
Causes of decreased penile sensation
1. Injuries
Certain types of overuse injuries to the perineum can cause trauma to the scrotum and penis.
Progressive trauma to certain areas might impede the blood supply to the affected area. This results in injury to the nerve endings supplying that area.
This type of injury can occur in individuals who ride bikes, motorbikes, or sit for prolonged periods on hard surfaces.
Other causes include getting hit by a ball or bumping into the edge of a table or chair.
2. Sex-related injuries
Doing vigorous masturbation for a sustained period affects the overall sensation of the penis.
During the sexual act, the penis is erect and sturdy; it isn’t flexible. If you perform the action in a particular position, a change in position might affect the sensation also.
Various positions may also injure the penis.
This may result in slight inflammation, redness, and swelling around the penis head.
However, if the act is performed more vigorously, it can fracture the penis. Recuperate for a week or two could help you regain reduced sensation in your penis.
Related: Experiencing Pain During Sex? Here Are 7 Things That May Be Wrong
3. Nerve issues
Neuropathy is a serious medical condition in which there is a progressive loss of sensation in limbs and appendages.
It can start from extremities traveling up to the genitourinary tract.
This type of loss of sensation due to neuropathy can be seen in diabetes Mellitus, kidney diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, and certain other conditions that involve nerve fibers.
4. Low testosterone
We know that testosterone is the essential hormone in maintaining sexual activity and retaining masculine features in males. It increases the urge for libido, pleasurable activities, enhancing muscles and hair growth in males.
Low testosterone levels reduce libido; the person loses interest in sexual activity and cannot feel orgasm.
5. Side effects of drugs
Several drugs decrease the penile sensation if administered for an extended period. These include;
- Antihypertensives
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Antiepileptics
- Antiandrogens
- GnRH agonist
6. Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease is a distortion that develops due to penis sealing and fibrosis spreading, which makes erection painful. Also, Peyronie’s disease is one of erectile dysfunction.
This problem is caused by scar tissue called plaque that forms inside the scar tissue. It can result in a bend in the penis that can make erection painful.
The Peyronies disease, also known as Penile fibromatosis, presents as a hard lump in the layers of erectile tissue occurring more often on the upper side of the penis.
Causes
The erectile dysfunction and decreased sensation in the penis may be caused by;
- Heart diseases
- Atherosclerosis
- Diabetes
- Parkinsons
- Anxiety and depression
- Psychotic issues
- Drug abuse
Symptoms
The plaques in the penis make it less flexible, which results in a noticeable curve in the penis.
Sexual intercourse is painful for those men who have a severe curve in the penis; major symptoms include;
- Significant bend in the penis
- Erection problem
- Penile pain
- Decrease penile sensation
- Scar tissue in the penis skin
- Shortening of penis
- Inability to engage in sexual intercourse
- Low sex drive
Related: Experiencing Pain During Sex? Here Are 7 Things That May Be Wrong
Factors
Minor injuries in the penis can cause Peyronie’s disease, such as injuries during sex, exercise, or accident.
The bending in the penis occurs due to the thickening of scar tissue.
However, there are undoubtedly other factors that can contribute to the collection of scar tissue in the healing process;
- Blood-related disease
- Alcohol abuse
- Drug abuse
- Spinal cord injury
- Connective tissue disease
- Age factor
- Smoking prostate surgery
7. Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a slowly progressive metastatic disease that shows when the metastasis has peaked and there is no way of turning back.
It develops in the peripheral zones of the walnut-shaped glands.
It is confined only to the prostate during the onset, but cancer of aggressive nature can quickly metastasize bone due to proximity.
Prostate cancer is more likely to occur in men aged 60 or above.
However, after 45 you should get a pelvic examination every 6 months or every year. If you find any suspicious lump, refer to your general physician as soon as possible.
Early detection is the best treatment for prostate cancer.
Symptoms
The symptoms of prostate vary from individual to individual. It also depends on the severity and stage of the disease. During the initial stages, there might be no signs and symptoms, but in more progressive may show up symptoms which include;
- Urinary difficulties
- Bloody urine and semen
- Bone pain
- Weight loss
- Lack of self-control of urination
- No erection
- Painful sensation
- Decreases sensation in the penis
- Erectile dysfunction
- Insomnia due to pain
How to improve penile sensation
1. Physical therapy
There are several causes for decreased penile sensation and sluggish arousal, including stress-related issues, unrecognized medical conditions, and impaired hormonal levels such as low testosterone levels.
Pelvic floor muscle training provides a plausible solution to decrease penile secretion and erectile dysfunction.
Physical therapy offers personalized intervention to improve persistent pelvic pain in men.
Improvements in functionality can be managed by recommending symptom-oriented intervention; it includes,
- Patient education about the reason for pain
- Education about pain syndrome
- Training for correct muscle function
- Graded physical therapy intervention
2. Transdermal
Certain drugs are available in skin patches. You can also use creams and gels. They expand the blood vessels in the penis and increase sensitivity.
3. Injections
Injections are available and must be administered under supervision. The injections are injected into the outer layer i-e skin.
4. Surgically Implanted Testosterone Pallets
Testosterone pallets are a minimally invasive process in which a pallet is implanted under the skin near the perineum. The implant regulates and maintains testosterone for an adequate period.
It is a good alternative for injections and medications.
5. Penis Sleeve And Penis Pump
- The penis pump works by drawing blood into the penis by the mechanism of a vacuum erection device to maintain a steady erection.
- A penis sleeve is a form of sex toy. It gives orgasm, is good to treat erectile dysfunction and strengthen pelvic muscles.
6. Lifestyle Modifications
Mere lifestyle changes and manageable modifications can help reduce the symptoms and gain the desired results without any treatment.
- Improve your diet
- Do not smoke
- Exercise
- Limit alcohol and drug overuse
- Do not sit in the same position for a long time
- Being a cyclist or motorcyclist, you change your seat more often and do not ride for a long time.
- If you’re taking certain drugs, such as antidepressants or beta-blockers, note that you’ll have decreased sensation due to the side effects of these medications.
Takeaway
When it comes to men’s pelvic health, it isn’t discussed as much. We’ve discussed the causes of decreased penile sensation and what to do about it.
Men also suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction. Similar to other body parts, the penis can get injured too, or there could be an underlying disease not disclosed on time.
People tend to ignore the subtle symptoms until they become apparent. One of the prominent symptoms is a decrease in penile sensation.
