When things are going cheesy in bed, it becomes really important that both partners come out satisfied after a sexual session. However, this may not be the case if a man does not feel the sensations on his penis. A decrease in penile sensitivity, also known as a “numb penis” can deteriorate your sex life. A person wouldn’t even feel the slightest touch on his penis and he wouldn’t be able to enjoy having intercourse with his partner.
There could be many reasons why your penis has gone numb – you have been sitting in a certain position for a long time, your testosterone levels are low, hormonal disturbances, etc. Unfortunately, it can be an embarrassing issue to discuss, which often prevents men from seeking help.
Fortunately, loss of penile sensitivity is a treatable condition, and lifestyle changes can often provide relief. In the following sections, we will explain what loss of penile sensitivity is and the factors that contribute to this common sexual health issue.
Table of Contents
What is Penis Numbness?
Penile numbness, or penis insensitivity, refers to a condition where there is a reduction or loss of sensation in the penis. The symptoms of penile numbness may include:
- Decreased sensation in the penis or the surrounding areas, such as the scrotum, testicles, or perineum (the area between the anus and the scrotum)
- A tingling sensation or “pins and needles” feeling in or around the penis
- A sensation of coldness or burning in or around the penis
- Bluish or purplish skin discoloration on or around the penis
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you consult with a healthcare provider.
Causes of Penile Sensitivity

The causes of penile numbness range from mundane to serious. Your doctor can help determine the root cause of the problem and help you regain sensitivity.
1. Injury and Discomfort to the Penis
If you take frequent or long bike rides, you may damage your penile nerves, which can result in penile numbness. The seats of the bicycle compress the nerve endings and the blood vessels that supply the penis. This is why a whopping 50-80% of cyclists report a loss of sensation in the penis.
If you wear tight trousers or sit uncomfortably for a long time, chances are that your penis can go numb. These things put a strain on the penile nerves and the blood vessels in the penis or perineum.
An injury to the penis caused during a car or bike accident or even during surgery can also lead to a loss of sensation in the penis.
2. Low Testosterone Levels
The male sex hormone testosterone, which is produced in the testicles, influences a man’s sex drive, appearance, and energy levels. For healthy sexual functioning, testosterone levels should be within the appropriate range. Low T levels can decrease your libido and make your penis less sensitive to stimulation. Testosterone levels decrease as you age. While low testosterone levels are considered a part of aging, they can affect your sex life, for which you should consider seeing a medical professional.
3. Side-effects of Certain Medications
Certain medications, such as antidepressants, affect the functioning of the brain and work on brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters play an important role in sexual arousal, and an imbalance can affect sex drive and arousal. Drugs such as selegiline (that are used to treat Parkinson’s disease) can affect dopamine levels and result in penile numbness.
Medications used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, can decrease penile sensitivity. However, this may be helpful for men suffering from premature ejaculation (PE). Premature ejaculation is a condition that makes a man ejaculate sooner than he or his partner wants him to. These PDE 5 inhibitors and other drugs, such as Poxet 60 mg, Dapoxetine, etc., can also help with PE.
4. Mental Health-related Issues
Certain psychological issues and mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc., can affect your sexual health and decrease your sexual desire orgasms, and reduce the sensations produced in the penis. However, if you’re seeking treatment for these disorders, antidepressants used for treating these issues (as discussed above) can also have a negative impact on your sex life. This often leads to performance anxiety which makes the person ejaculate sooner than expected.
5. Partial Erections
While the penis is much more sensitive when it is fully erect, penile sensitivity can also occur if you struggle to get hard. Partial erections can also indicate an underlying sexual disorder such as erectile dysfunction (ED).
6. Death Grip Syndrome
The way you masturbate can also affect your sensitivity. If you masturbate using a very tight grip, you can become desensitized to other types of pleasure and experience a loss of sensation in the penis.
How Can You Increase Penile Sensitivity?

Once you have identified the exact cause of penile numbness, you can begin working on different options to increase your male sensitivity. If it’s a medical condition that’s causing the problem, look for potential treatment options after consulting a doctor. If the cause of reduced sensitivity is an injury, it will heal with the injury itself. Meanwhile, here are certain things you can do to increase your male sensitivity.
1. Increase Testosterone Levels
If you experience symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, low libido, hair loss, and penile numbness due to low testosterone levels, here’s what you can do to increase your testosterone levels.
Weight training and high-intensity training exercises have been known to increase testosterone levels in older men. Furthermore, a diet that consists of proteins, healthy carbohydrates, and fats can also improve your T levels. If you drink alcohol or smoke, you should consider giving them a break as they are known to deteriorate the production of testosterone.
If you require hormonal treatment (that comes in the form of pills and injections), seek help from a doctor. Testosterone therapy is available in 5 different ways:
- Transdermal – skin patch, gels, creams, lotions
- Injections that are injected under the skin or into the muscle
- An oral patch that is placed in the mouth
- Pellets that are implanted into the fatty tissue under the skin
- Medicine that is pumped into each nostril (3 times a day)
There’s no single treatment that fits all. Consult your doctor for the appropriate form of treatment.
2. Lifestyle Changes
Sitting in an uncomfortable position for prolonged periods of time can cause penile numbness. Consider taking short breaks and standing whenever possible. You can also change your sitting position and make yourself feel comfortable.
If you’re a cyclist, consider changing your bicycle seat to the one that is more comfortable and does not cause any pain or discomfort.
Last but not the least, wear loose-fitting trousers and underwear so that the blood can also flow properly.
3. Change Your Masturbating Technique
If you have been stroking too hard for a while now, consider switching your masturbating technique. Loosen your grip, apply some lube, and stroke at a slower pace. This can help recondition your sensitivity.
4. De-stress Yourself
If you have been dealing with certain mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, etc., it can be difficult to improve the situation. However, it isn’t impossible. While medications can certainly deteriorate your sexual drive, you should indulge yourself in activities such as mindfulness and deep-breathing exercises such as meditation to help alleviate stress.
Consider taking a hot bath or shower to help your mind and muscles relax. Warm water improves circulation and makes the penis more responsive to touch.
If you have difficulty coping with stress, consider seeking help from a therapist.
5. Medications
If you suffer from long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Peyronie’s, your doctor may prescribe a medication to treat it. Your doctor may consider changing your medication if you experience reduced penile sensitivity as a result of the side effects of a certain medication.
6. Less Lube
While lube can be helpful, using too much can hinder sensitivity. To create more friction, try reducing the amount of lube you use or going without it altogether. This may allow for a more responsive and sensitive experience that could make it easier to reach orgasm.
7. Change Your Position
Changing your sex position can also increase friction and make sex more exciting. Different positions cause your partner’s body to move in new ways, which can create more sensation in your genitals. You can try having your partner put their legs together, lie on their stomach, or experiment with entirely new positions.
8. Adjust Your Sitting Position
It’s also important to pay attention to how you sit. Sitting incorrectly, or in the wrong places can compress the pudendal nerve, which transmits sensations from your genitals to your brain. If you experience pain in your lower abdomen when sitting, try adjusting your position to place more pressure on your buttocks and less pressure on your perineum. Simple adjustments like taking breaks to stand up and stretch can also help alleviate pressure and prevent nerve pain.
9. Communicate with Your Partner
In order to have a healthy and satisfying sexual relationship, it is important to communicate with your partner about their needs and desires. Taking the time to ask what your partner needs can make a big difference in the quality of your sexual experiences together.
Perhaps your partner needs some time to relax before moving onto sexual activity, or maybe they prefer more foreplay that focuses on other areas of their body to help get them in the mood. Alternatively, they may want to stop altogether. It’s important not to be afraid to ask and have an open and honest conversation with your partner about what they need in order to have a fulfilling and enjoyable sexual experience.
What if You Have a Hypersensitive Penis?
Men who have a penis that is too sensitive may find it difficult to last long during sexual activity, and this may result in premature ejaculation (PE). According to the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM), PE is characterized by the following:
- Ejaculation that consistently occurs within approximately one minute of vaginal penetration
- The inability to delay ejaculation during almost all or every vaginal penetration
- Negative psychosocial outcomes such as getting upset, frustrated, or avoiding sexual intimacy
It is worth noting that these definitions are defined in terms of vaginal penetration. However, premature ejaculation can occur in any form of sexual activity that stimulates the penis.
Over-the-counter sprays, creams, and wipes containing topical anesthetics like lidocaine or benzocaine may be used to decrease penis sensitivity. There are also “climax control” condoms that reduce penis sensation through a coating of a topical anesthetic or by using thicker-than-normal latex.
While it may not be the easiest conversation to have, seeking medical advice on any loss of penile sensitivity or other concerns about your sexual health is recommended.
The Bottom Line

If you have a numb penis, things may not be going the way you planned them to. However, to rediscover your penile sensitivity, it’s important to figure out the exact cause of the problem. A bike or car accident, vigorous sex, or stroking your penis hard during masturbation, low T-levels, and side effects of medications are some of the common causes of penile sensitivity. Take help from a doctor who can help you discover the underlying reasons for the problem. Consider making certain lifestyle modifications and try different treatments unless you find the one that actually works for you.
References
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