How To Reduce Penis Glans Sensitivity

What Is Penis Sensitivity?

The head of the human penis (glans) contains many nerve endings.

These nerve endings work together and send signals that are generated by touch receptors in the skin up to sensory nerves that carry it to neurons in the spinal cord. That way, information is further relayed to the rest of the brain.

In the case of penis sensitivity, the glans can be extremely susceptible to external stimulation, which can result in pain, or on another spectrum, premature ejaculation (PE).

What Causes Penis Sensitivity?

Penis sensitivity is often treatable, but it can possibly be caused by underlying health conditions.

Some possible causes of penis sensitivity include:

1. Phimosis

Phimosis is a condition that can sometimes occur in uncircumcised men. In such cases, the foreskin is too tight and cannot be retracted over the glans.

This condition is normal in babies and toddlers, and doesn’t usually pose a problem, but may pose certain health risks if left untreated when older.

Those with phimosis may have dirt and bacteria trapped under the foreskin if it is not pulled back over the glans for an extended period of time.

This build-up can irritate the glans and lead to a condition called balanitis (inflammation of the glans).

Those with balanitis can experience redness, soreness, or even swelling, making the penis head extremely sensitive to external stimuli.

If this happens to you, see a doctor as soon as you can. In most cases, balanitis and phimosis can be easily treated with a combination of good hygiene and ointments.

Doctors may even recommend techniques or medications to help ease the process of retracting your foreskin.

2. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

If unhealthy bacteria build up in your urinary tract, it can cause an infection known as a UTI.

While more common in women, men can also get UTIs.

Depending on the location of the UTI - typically classified as either “upper tract” or “lower tract” - UTIs can lead to penile pain.

Some symptoms of UTIs include pain, a burning sensation, or discomfort while urinating or after urinating.

UTI is a temporary condition that can be managed with antibiotic treatment.

If you think you have a UTI, be sure to see a doctor for a thorough check-up.

Untreated infections can lead to adverse complications. In some cases, it can lead to kidney failure or chronic kidney disease.

3. Injury or Trauma to the Penis

Penile trauma are injuries to the penis that can affect sensitivity.

These injuries may arise from past sports injuries to the genital region, rough sex or masturbation, or other traumas.

Some people who have penile trauma may experience inflammation, redness, and swelling to the glans.

They may also have difficulty urinating, getting an erection, or maintaining an erection.

In some cases, penile trauma can reduce sensitivity in the penis or cause a tingling sensation. Symptoms can go away as the injury heals, but can also last longer in more severe cases.

Visit a doctor for a thorough check-up if you are worried about penile trauma.

4. Circumcision

Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes the foreskin. This exposes the tip of the penis.

Some think that circumcision can help to reduce penile sensitivity. Since the highly innervated foreskin is removed, they believe that the exposed glans will undergo “keratinisation” (cells slightly hardening from keratin production), reducing sensitivity.

Although there have been debates about whether circumcision affects penile sensitivity, a study conducted by the Journal of Urology¹ suggested that there is no difference.

Other high-quality studies² also suggest that medical male circumcision doesn’t have any adverse effect on sensitivity, sexual function, or satisfaction.

However, if a person is uncircumcised, and often experiences a sensitive penis, they can consider talking to their doctor about circumcision.

If the penile sensitivity is related to the foreskin, a circumcision can help prevent future sensitivity.

But it must also be noted that circumcision in older children or men can carry risks and cause pain, so remember to discuss the risks and benefits with a doctor before proceeding.

What Happens If I Have A Sensitive Penis?

In some cases, penis sensitivity can be a common cause of PE. When this happens, you might find yourself ejaculating within one minute or less after sexual intercourse with your partner.

In one 2017 study published in the Nature journal³, 420 men with suspected PE had their intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IVELT) and sensitivity of the glans measured.

Researchers used a biothesiometer applied to the tip of the penis to record the level of vibrations that participants could tolerate.

Findings suggest that men who had PE could tolerate fewer vibrations as compared to men who did not have the condition.

However, a hypersensitive penis is not the only cause of PE. There are many factors, ranging from psychological to biological, that can cause it.

If you are experiencing PE, Noah can provide you the help you need.

At Noah, doctors on our platform are well-equipped with treating PE-related issues. You can book discreet consultations from the comfort of your own home, and receive prescribed medications delivered to your doorstep within 4 hours at no extra charge.

To get started, complete an online evaluation form so that we can help you enhance your sexual experience.

How Can I Decrease Penis Sensitivity Naturally?

It is possible for a penis to be too sensitive. A hypersensitive penis can affect your sexual life, and mess with your ability to enjoy your sexual experiences.

While it may be harder to decrease penile sensitivity per se, there are natural remedies that can help you delay ejaculation - all without the need for medication.

1. Behavioural Therapy

Behavioural therapy is an effective way to treat PE, even with penile hypersensitivity.

Since PE is caused by many factors such as performance anxiety, behavioural therapy can help men improve their self-confidence.

These sessions can help rewire thought processes, equipping you with strong tools to manage the psychological effects of penile sensitivity, possibly delaying ejaculation time.

In many cases, psychotherapy sessions use counselling, helping to identify and fix any interpersonal problems, such as relationship issues that are also common causes of PE.

In addition, behavioural therapy equips men with physical techniques that they can use at home.

These include ‘stop-start’ techniques, ‘squeeze’ techniques, or pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation.

These methods help train men to prolong their ejaculation, allowing them to last longer even with penile sensitivity.

In one study by the Asian Journal of Andrology⁴, scientists found that behavioural therapy had a 45%-65% success rate in delaying ejaculation time.

At Noah, we provide 1-on-1 therapy support sessions with licensed psychologists. From your own home, we can provide you with the support that you need, especially when it comes to issues related to sexual dysfunction.

2. Zinc Supplements

Zinc is an important mineral that supports essential bodily enzyme reactions and immunity.

However, research has also found a link that the essential mineral can help to produce testosterone and improve ejaculation time.

In a 1996 study by the Nutrition Journal⁵, scientists compared zinc concentrations to testosterone levels in 40 normal men. They found that zinc supplementation resulted in an increase in serum testosterone levels in men.

Since testosterone is an important hormone that regulates sexual function, especially in males, adding some extra zinc to your diet may help combat problems like PE.

According to Mayo Clinic⁶, the recommended amount of zinc to take is about 11mg per day for adult men and 8mg per day for adult women.

While zinc supplements are mostly safe, make sure to not go over the recommended dose, as it can cause side effects.

Some side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, kidney and stomach damage, and sometimes even leaving a metallic taste in your mouth.

At Noah, we carry Vigour, a health supplement filled with essential minerals like Zinc and other premium adaptogens. These supplements have been clinically proven to boost sexual and health functions.

Read More: The Best Foods to Help Treat Premature Ejaculation

3. Change Your Grip During Masturbation

It’s possible that the way you masturbate can change the sensitivity of your penis.  

Some people use a very specific technique or even a very tight grip, which some call the “death grip syndrome”⁷ during masturbation.

These grips hyperstimulate the penis, which can decrease sensitivity over time, possibly delaying ejaculation.

However, in the long-term, these grips can cause hyperstimulation, leading to desensitisation to pleasure.

This can lead to a vicious cycle of needing to use more force during masturbation in order to counteract the declining sensitivity.

Over time, tight grips can numb the penis, making it difficult to orgasm or even get pleasure without specific movements.

If you want, try loosening your grip, or even stroking at a slower pace.

And if you’re open to experimentation, try mixing things up with a sex toy or with lube! These can help to reduce friction and train your body to last longer even with a sensitive penis.

4. Avoid Intercourse For Some Time

Yes, it might seem counterintuitive, but taking your mind off intercourse can help take away the pressure of your sexual encounters.

Guys, give your penis a break so that it has time to rest and recover.

In the meantime, try other ways to seek pleasure for you and your partner, so you won’t feel distressed or frustrated from finishing early.

These are just some tips that you can use to try and reduce penile sensitivity and delay ejaculation.

But remember, if your condition is causing you distress or problems with your sex life, seek help from medical professionals.

Look to talk to a doctor about the issues that you are facing and be open with your healthcare provider.

Remember, there are other pleasure zones for satisfaction, so try experimenting with other forms to see what works for you.

Other Ways To Last Longer In Bed

There are some safe and effective ways to reduce penile sensitivity out on the market, but these alternatives may contain some form of medications.

1. Topical Ointments Or Sprays

Numbing ointments or sprays are made just for reducing penile hypersensitivity.

When applied to the penis, they can decrease sensitivity, reducing the risk and frequency of PE.

Usually, these numbing sprays and creams contain anaesthetic medications like lidocaine.

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic used to numb specific areas of tissue. It is one of the most common anaesthetic used worldwide and when used in moderation and as directed, is generally safe.

Numbing sprays and creams are applied topically to reduce the sensitivity in your skin tissue. When applied to your penis, they can make you feel fewer sensations during sexual intercourse.

This reduces the likelihood of PE and prolongs the time it takes to ejaculate.

In a small 2003 study by International Journal Of Impotence Research⁸, 11 men with PE used lidocaine sprays. Results showed that those who used the numbing sprays went from an IVELT of 84 seconds without the spray to 11 minutes and 21 seconds with it.

The average satisfaction score for both subjects and partners also became “better”. This shows that while numbing sprays reduce your sensitivity during sex, it doesn’t reduce sexual enjoyment.

If you’re looking to get started on anaesthetic creams, it is recommended that you apply the cream to your penis at least 10 to 15 minutes before sex for maximum effectiveness.

The Prolong Spray is a 10% local anaesthetic topical spray that helps alter the sensitivity of the sprayed area without overly numbing it.

For numbing sprays, you should try to aim the spray towards the frenulum of the penis, or just below the penis head.

Once applied, use your fingertips to rub in a circular motion until the spray or cream no longer feels wet.

2. Use Condoms

Condoms create a barrier between the penis and the source of stimulation.

That is why in some cases, condoms can generally decrease sensitivity and reduce the likelihood of ejaculating early.

If you are having trouble lasting, there are climax control condoms available over-the-counter.

These condoms are designed specifically to help men last longer. Some climax control condoms use lubricants that contain mild desensitizers like benzocaine. They are also usually made of a thicker latex material to reduce sensitivity.

The Takeaway

Premature ejaculation and penis sensitivity can often go hand in hand. However, it is completely normal and is a very common sexual concern that affects over one-third of men in the world.

We hope that these tips and natural treatments can help you manage your symptoms, but if your problem persists, make sure to see a doctor to rule out any underlying causes.

Sometimes, penile sensitivity and irritation can be caused by other conditions like genital psoriasis, eczema, or allergic reactions.

Your healthcare provider will also be able to help you explore other treatment options to find what is best suited for your needs.

If you are open to other non-natural alternatives for reducing penile sensitivity, numbing sprays are a good place to start.

When used as directed, they are a safe and effective way of reducing penile sensitivity, without overly numbing the area.

If you have concerns over your sex life, you can keep it discreet with us at Noah by completing our online evaluation. You will be able to consult licensed doctors on our platform and get prescribed the medications you need to treat premature ejaculation. Medications will be discreetly packaged and be delivered to your door within 4 hours at no extra charge.