Loss of Penis Feeling and Masturbation - A Cautionary Tale

From the time adolescent boys discover the world of sensation offered by masturbation, the penis becomes an object of extreme fascination. As teenagers, it is not uncommon for males to masturbate 3-4 times per day, or even more often, and this habit tends to continue into adulthood. Despite the admonishments and guilt that may come from older generations concerning the practice, medical science has shown that masturbation is completely normal and even has numerous emotional and physical benefits.

On the other hand, some words of caution are needed to help men to avoid the consequences of overdoing it, or of doing it the wrong way. Learning how to handle the equipment more gently can help to prevent soreness and irritation, as well as long term problems like loss of penis feeling.

Drawbacks of overdoing it when it comes to masturbation

·         Soreness – Rough handling or stroking without the benefit of a personal lubricant can leave the penis feeling achy or sore inside and out. Men who are overcome with the urge to masturbate when the penis is already sore run the risk of causing minute tears and fissures in the surface of the skin, which can lead to redness and even increase the risk of skin infections.

·         Injury/Scarring – Latching on to the penis with a death grip, yanking it in numerous directions, or going at a frantic pace can lead to painful injuries such as ruptures of the erectile tissue inside the shaft of the penis. Even without a rupture, though, men can experience cumulative damage to the connective tissue, leading to the formation of scars that may cause unnatural bends or curves in the penis when an erection is present.

·         Reduced penis sensation – Overdoing it when it comes to alone time can eventually impair penis sensation in a number of ways. First, the constant rough handling can cause the outer layers of skin to become thicker and tougher, a process known as keratinization. This callused layer of skin prevents the sensory tissue underneath from detecting gentle touch, meaning that men have to work even harder to feel any sexual stimulus to the penile tissue. Second, constant masturbation can damage the neural tissue itself; unless it is given time to heal and regenerate, this can lead to penis sensation loss. Finally, using the same technique over and over can dull the nerve signals to the brain; in essence, the body becomes so accustomed to the stimulus that it no longer pays  attention, and it simply doesn’t register the feeling.

What to try instead

Men who are accustomed to a particular technique may find it difficult to give up the tried and true; however, mixing it up can allow the nerves to learn to appreciate a new range of sensations. Trying a soft touch, a different grip, or even just using the other hand can help to reawaken the nerve pathways. Experimenting with masturbation aids that are designed for gentle handling can also create a new experience when it comes to self-pleasure.

Caring for the penis and protecting against loss of penis sensation

Even men who enjoy normal penis sensation can benefit from some common-sense advice when it comes to penis care. First and foremost, keeping the skin clean by washing daily with a mild cleanser can help to prevent minor skin infections that cause itching, dryness and soreness. Second, applying a moisturizer to clean skin can help to lock in the skin’s natural hydration and keep the skin from drying and toughening. A natural product such as shea butter works best, as this plant extract is gentle even on the delicate penis skin. Vitamin E is also recommended for improving the tone and feel of the penis.

An all-natural penis nutrient cream (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) enriched with vitamins, amino acids and minerals, as well as moisturizers such as shea butter, can be an effective way to support healthy skin and nerve tissue and minimize the  negative effects of frequent masturbation.