Hello, carriestep-ga!
Several factors can affect penile sensitivity including diminished
levels of the hormone testosterone, neurological damage, diabetic
conditions and psychological anxiety. A physical examination is
certainly the first order of recommendation for individuals who are
concerned about decreased sensitivity. An appointment with a urologist
who can perform a series of tests is a good place to start.
The following references provide a general overview of factors which
"might" contribute to lowered sensitivity. Webforums are full of
questions concerning penile sensitivity so your concerns are not
unusual. The wealth of questions concerning this issue reinforce the
importance of a medical examination since every individual is unique
and one treatment is not applicable to all.
The references below are intended to provide a basic background of
factors which may contribute to a partial lack of penile sensitivity.
THE ROLE OF TESTOSTERONE
========================
From "Sexual Dysfunction and Male Hormones." Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab.
http://www.gsdl.com/home/assessments/finddisease/sex/male_hormones.html
"The powerful male sex hormone testosterone directly and indirectly
influences the fundamental components of male sexual function,
including genital development, sex drive, ejaculation, ** penile
sensitivity ** and erectile function. Recent animal experiments
suggest that testosterone plays a direct role in erection mechanisms
through its effect on nitric oxide synthase, a substance in the body
which causes blood vessels to relax and dilate."
"Sexual drive is a critical component of healthy sexual function, and
evidence suggests the degree of sexual interest corresponds with the
amount of testosterone in the body, particularly in men with
suboptimal amounts. A review of recent studies on testosterone therapy
notes that testosterone boosts, in a dose-response fashion, both
erectile function and sexual libido.5 Teenage males with higher levels
of salivary testosterone show a four-fold increase in sexual activity
compared to their peers."
"Testosterone replacement is among the most commonly used therapies
for impotence in men. Some experts advise, however, that this approach
is best utilized only after an initial assessment of bioavailable
levels of testosterone to establish clinical need."
(Read further)
==
More from the Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab
http://www.gsdl.com/home/assessments/malehormone/appguide/index3.html
"Abundant clinical literature shows that testosterone levels directly
and indirectly influence the fundamental components of male sexual
function, including genital development, sex drive, ejaculation, **
penile sensitivity ** and erectile function."
"Male potency and libido are interdependent factors, and evidence
suggests that there is a consistent, graded relationship between
testosterone levels and sexual interest."
==
From "PSY128: Hormones & Sexual Behaviour." University of Plymouth
Dept. of Psychology
http://salmon.psy.plym.ac.uk/year1/psy128sexual_behaviour/sexbehav.htm
"Dihydrotestosterone is thought to play an important role in
maintaining the sensitivity of the penis (see Nelson, 1995)
==
Also read the following questions and answers about penile sensitivity
on the Urology Forum, Health Boards and About.com:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Urology/messages/30675a.html
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-72155.html
http://experts.about.com/q/989/3496780.htm
==
Issues concerning testosterone levels can be found in the following article:
From "Testosterone background," by Chris Steidle, MD.
http://www.seekwellness.com/andropause/testosterone.htm
"Aging in men is associated with a one percent decline in total
testosterone level each year starting at around age forty. About
twenty percent of men in their sixties and fifty percent of men in
their eighties have testosterone levels significantly below normal.
Men who develop a serious illness, take certain kinds of medications,
or who don't eat a healthy variety of foods are even more likely to
have low testosterone levels. Furthermore, about one in three men with
symptoms of andropause turn out to have a testosterone level lower
than normal. Many of these men will simply feel better when their
testosterone level is raised through hormone replacement therapy."
Concerning supplemental testosterone:
"Other men report an increase in penis size and an increase in genital
sensitivity, which often corresponds with an increase in sexual
activity and improvements in relationships with their partners."
NERVE DAMAGE AND PENILE SENSITIVITY
====================================
From "Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction / Impotence." UK Medix
http://www.ukmedix.co.uk/health-i/EDDiagnosis.cfm
Penile biothesiometry test - "Electromagnetic vibration is used to
evaluate sensitivity and nerve function in the glands and shaft of the
penis. A lack of sensitivity to this vibration may indicate nerve
damage in the pelvic area."
Penile nerve function test - Tests such as the bulbocavernosus reflex
test are used to determine the levels of nerve sensation in the penis.
The physician squeezes the glans (head) of the penis. This should
cause the anus to contract immediately if nerve function is normal.
The physician measures the latency between the squeeze and contraction
by either observing the anal sphincter or by inserting a gloved finger
past the anus. Nerve tests such as this are used in patients with
suspected nerve damage as a result of diabetes or nerve disease."
==
Testing is recommended for possible nerve damage in cases of penile sensitivity:
From the Urology Forum:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Urology/messages/30972a.html
"I am not aware of creams or medications that has been shown to
increase the sensitivity of the penis in controlled trials.
"You may want to be evaluated for any form of neuropathy that can
cause a change in sensation. Testing for diseases such as diabetes
should be done. A referral to a neurologist for possible
electrodiagnostic testing can evaluate for any nerve dysfunction
leading to your symptoms. You may also want to consider an MRI to
evaluate for any nerve compression."
"Followup with your personal physician is essential."
==
Also read the following question and answer from the Urology forum
concerning penile sensitivity:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Urology/messages/30987a.html
==
Loss of penile sensitivity from Sexual Anhedonia:
From the AskPhysicans forum:
http://www.askphysicians.com/cgi-local/forums.cgi?display=thread&id=6863&forum=19&interface=0
Question:
"i am a 28 years old man, and i am having problem in having sex in
terms of not having enough sensitivity on my penis. it's very hard to
get orgasm,......"
Dr's response:
"It?s difficult for me to make a positive diagnosis in your case as I
don?t have the privilege to examine you. A competent urologist should
be able to make a diagnosis but I do have a few thoughts. I?m not a
urologist but I have seen a few cases similar to yours that I have
referred to a urologist. Their findings have been about the same."
"Basically I believe what you might have is called Sexual Anhedonia. This is
described as a patient that can achieve an erection and ejaculate but
find it hard to achieve ejaculation because of insensitivity of the
penis. Some men also complain of no pleasure when they ejaculate."
"If it is Anhedonia it could be from psycogenic penile anesthesia, in
other words, decreased sensitivity from the nerves that go to the
penis. It may also be psychological."
"Many men who have an obsessive personality or a hysterical
personality are often affected with sexual anhedonia. A psychiatric
consult is indicated unless you have had a history or spinal cord
injury or peripheral neuropathy."
"See your family physician first so he/she can examine you to rule out
any physical or neurogenic causes. Then, determining what is found,
your physician can then refer you to a urologist or to a psychiatrist
that specializes in these disorders."
"Also to be complete and before you make an appointment with your doctor, try
not to masturbate. Over stimulation and masturbation can reduce the
sensitivity of the penis. I suggest that you refrain from
masturbating. Only have an erection and ejaculate with you partner.
See if refraining from masturbation helps bring back the sensitivity
of the penis."
==
What tests will be performed to assess potential nerve damage to the penis?
From "Erectile Dysfunction: Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction." WebMD
http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/article/57/66244.htm?z=1818_86000_0000_rl_02
Bulbocavernosus reflex:
"This test evaluates nerve sensation in the penis. During the test,
your doctor will squeeze the head of your penis, which should
immediately cause your anus to contract. If nerve function is
abnormal, there will be a delay in response time."
Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT):
"This test measures a man's erectile function while he is sleeping.
Normally, a man will have five or six erections while asleep. A lack
of these erections may indicate there is a problem with nerve function
or circulation to the penis. The test uses two methods, the snap gauge
method and the strain gauge method. The snap gauge method is performed
by wrapping three plastic bands of varying strength around the penis.
Erectile function is then measured based on which of the three bands
breaks. The strain gauge method works by placing elastic bands around
the tip and base of the penis. If the penis becomes erect during the
night, the bands stretch, measuring the changes in penile
circumference."
Penile biothesiometry:
"This test involves the use of electromagnetic vibration to determine
sensitivity and nerve function. A decreased sensitivity to these
vibrations may indicate nerve damage."
==
Antidepressants, sensory neurologic and psychological disorders can
all affect penile sensitivity.
From "Disorders of Ejaculation." Sexual Medicine Program. Cornell University.
http://www.cornellurology.com/uro/cornell/sexualmedicine/disorders/
"Retarded orgasm is a very difficult sexual dysfunction to treat. This
condition involves the inability of the patient to achieve orgasm
(ejaculation) in a timely manner and in severe cases men fail to
achieve orgasm on any occasion. As men age, there is an increase in
the time it takes to achieve ejaculation, however, in some men this
increase may lead to the inability to ejaculate within a 30 minute
time period from the initiation of sexual stimulation. The causes of
this condition include the use of certain anti-depressant medications
(Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa), ** sensory neurologic
disorders affecting penile sensation (as may occur with diabetic nerve
damage), ** and psychological disorders (this is frequently seen in
older men in their early experiences following divorce or being
widowed).
VIAGRA (Sildenfafil Citrate) and PENILE SENSITIVITY
=====================================================
The following article displays a correlation between Viagra and
enhanced penile sensitivity:
Please read "The Effect of Sildenafil Citrate on Middle-Aged "Normal"
Men," by Charles Moser, Ph.D., M.D. Electronic Journal of Human
Sexuality, Volume 4, March 9, 2001.
http://www.ejhs.org/volume4/Moser/body.htm
"Firmness, erection length and thickness, enjoyment of sex, and **
penile skin sensitivity, ** tended to increase with sildenafil
citrate use. Fear of erectile difficulties tended to be less than
usual."
"The sexual effects were still apparent the day after sildenafil
citrate use; 8/9 reported improvement on at least one of four
measures. Getting an erection was easier for 5/9 and was unchanged in
4/9. Penile sensitivity increased and the overall enjoyment of sex
also improved for 5/9 and was unchanged in 4/9."
SOURCES OF MALE ENHANCEMENT PRODUCTS
======================================
There are various male enhancement products that promise to increase
sensitivity by helping to encourage greater blood flow to the penis.
Whether these products actually work is up to the particular
individual. I would recommend a physical exam before wasting money on
a product that may or may not work - especially to rule out any
medical problems that may be contributing to decreased sensitivity.
If you would like to investigate enhancement products, simply follow
the search string for "male enhancement and sensitivity":
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2003-47%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=male+enhancement+and+sensitivity
==
I hope the information I have presented provides a basic
understanding of factors that might affect penile sensitivity. Once
you have ruled out any existing medical problems, a simple search for
books on "sexual enhancement" at Amazon.com should provide you with
plentiful reading material.
I wish you the best!
umiat-ga
Search Strategy
penile sensitivity
factors affecting sensitivity of the penis
hormones AND penile sensitivity
penile sensitivity AND aging
penile sensitivity AND nerve damage
intensifying penile sensitivity
male enhancment products
books AND male enhancement |
