At some point in their lives, most if not all men experience some penis function issue of some kind, which may be related to penis health or may be due to other factors. The most common tend to be erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, but there are other issues that can arise that impede sexual satisfaction. One of these is the problem of delayed ejaculation, which can have several contributing factors, but which tends to focus around a loss of penis sensitivity.

A legitimate problem

As the name may imply, delayed ejaculation describes a situation in which a man has difficulty ejaculating within what he might consider a reasonable amount of time. Some men, especially those who experience problems with premature ejaculation, may scoff at calling this a problem, but to those who experience it, it is a problem indeed. It can be extremely frustrating, often leading to men disengaging from a sexual experience achieving ejaculation (and orgasm). It can also cause issues with partners, who may experience some feelings of inadequacy or undesirability if the man is unable to ejaculate with them, or fatigue or discomfort if he must continue to engage in sexual activity for a vastly extended period of time before ejaculating.

Delayed ejaculation is somewhat different from priapism, a situation in which a man’s penis becomes “stuck” in the erect state, maintaining that erection for many hours. With priapism (which again is serious, despite the benefits one might see in having an extremely long-lasting erection), the erection may last long after a man has ejaculated to the point of becoming painful (and also potentially causing damage to tissue). With delayed ejaculation, a man may remain erect or he may go through “cycles” during which the penis is softer or firmer at different times.

A penis sensitivity issue

Often, a loss of penis sensitivity can be the culprit causing delayed ejaculation. As most men are aware, the nerve endings in the penis are designed to be enormously sensitive. That’s why it feels so good for the penis to be touched and stroked and why it reacts so positively and in such an enhance manner to the friction provided by penetration. But if something damages penis sensitivity and leads to a loss of sensation, the penis will be less responsive to stimuli that previously caused delicious sensations. With diminished penis sensitivity, a man and/or his partners must work much harder and for a longer period of time to achieve the same level of arousal that is needed to produce ejaculation and orgasm.

Sometimes loss of penis sensitivity and onset of delayed ejaculation are due to outside causes, such as certain medications, disorders or diseases like diabetes, spinal cord injury, or even psychological matters. But in many cases, the loss of penis sensitivity comes from rough handling of the penis or overuse. For example, men who use a “death grip” – an especially tight grip on the penis – while masturbating may “deaden” some of the nerve endings, leading to delayed ejaculation problems.

To combat diminished penis sensitivity due to physical handling, men should be sure to be well lubricated during sex (both partner-based and solo), and to avoid situations in which the penis is gripped too tightly. Sometimes letting the penis rest when it is sore can be helpful.

Another helpful way to avoid delayed ejaculation due to diminished penis sensitivity is to regularly apply a first-class penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Look for an oil that contains L-carnitine, which has neuroprotective properties to help maintain penis sensation. In addition, an oil with moisturizing agents like shea butter and vitamin E can keep the skin hydrated, which can reduce friction during sexual activities.