Whether you’re higher or lower in penis sensitivity, you’re probably pretty normal and healthy—there’s just a lot of natural variation in this and most guys find ways to adapt.
But what about when sensitivity issues start to cause sexual problems? How do we address them?
To answer these questions, we need to look at what causes some men to experience increased sensitivity and others to experience decreased sensitivity.
Here are some of the main factors that contribute to penile sensitivity.
Genetics and the brain.Some research has suggested that genes may play a role when it comes to penile sensitivity. For example, if you are experiencing higher than average sensitivity, there is a good chance that this runs in your family.
For example, some studies have found that the way our brains respond to the neurotransmitter dopamine (which is genetically determined) is linked to premature ejaculation.
Your anatomy.Everyone’s body is a little different in terms of how sensitive a given area is.
For example, some guys have very sensitive nipples and enjoy having them stimulated during sexual activity, whereas other guys get no pleasure from this at all.
The same goes for the penis—there’s natural variability in our brains and in the way our nerves are laid out in the body, which can lead some penises to be more sensitive than others.
Phimosis. This is a condition that only affects uncircumcised guys. Phimosis occurs when the foreskin is too tight and doesn’t slide freely along the shaft.
As a result, the glans or head of the penis may remain covered most or all of the time, which may increase its sensitivity because it’s not used to receiving outside touch or stimulation.
Why Is My Penis So Sensitive During Sex?
The penis is densely packed with nerve endings and is designed to deliver pleasure. This makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint—the pleasures and rewards of sex are key to promoting reproduction and survival of our species.
However, that abundance of nerve endings in the penis isn’t always a good thing. For some men, it’s easy to become overstimulated before intercourse even starts or shortly after it begins. This is what we call penile hypersensitivity.
Hypersensitivity and Premature Ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation (PE) is a condition in which a guy reaches climax much quicker than he would like. Some research has found that there is a connection between an overly sensitive penis and not being able to delay orgasm.
However, before discussing the connection between increased penis sensitivity and PE, let’s clear up a common misconception about how long the typical guy lasts in bed.
You may have heard stories about guys who claim they can engage in vigorous sex for 30 minutes or longer before climaxing, or perhaps you’ve seen something similar in porn. This can set an unrealistic bar for judging whether you have PE.
The reality is quite different.
On average, it takes most men between 4 to 7 minutes to ejaculate during intercourse, so if you’re in that time frame, you’re actually perfectly normal
But let’s be clear: if it takes you more or less time to ejaculate, that’s not necessarily a problem and it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong with you or your penis.
However, if the length of time it takes you to reach orgasm is something that distresses you or creates problems in your sex life or relationship, that’s when it becomes an issue to address.
The DSM-5 defines premature ejaculation as ejaculating within one minute during sexual intercourse.
Not being able to last for longer than one minute can potentially have adverse effects on people’s sex lives.
For example, this is unlikely to provide enough time for one’s partner to reach orgasm, which has the potential to lead to sexual dissatisfaction.
So what exactly is the connection between penile hypersensitivity and premature ejaculation?
Research finds that increased sensitivity is indeed linked to premature ejaculation.
For example, in a study of 420 men published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers observed that men who had either mild or severe cases of PE exhibited higher than typical levels of sensitivity in both the glans and the shafts of their penises.
The Men’s Clinic at UCLA suggests that men who experience early ejaculation might therefore try desensitizing their penises to help treat their symptoms.
Although some research suggests a link between penile hypersensitivity and PE, it is important to mention that not all studies have documented this association.
For example, in a 1998 study published by the International Journal of Impotence Research, researchers using a vibrometer to measure penile sensitivity found no statistically significant difference between men with or without PE; however, that study was based on a very small sample (33 men) and may not have been large enough to detect effects.
Also, part of the reason for the inconsistent associations may be that PE has more than one cause.
For some men, it may be rooted in hypersensitivity; for others, however, it may have more to do with brain chemistry and neurotransmitters.
Ways to Decrease Sensitivity in the Penis
If you are dealing with penile hypersensitivity and want to do something about it, what are your options?
Start first by talking to your doctor to make sure that there are no underlying medical issues that need immediate treatment and to get recommendations that are tailored to your unique circumstances.
Then, consider the following options; however, note that you may need to try more than one before you figure out what works for you.
Change your condoms
Switching your regular condom for one that is thicker is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to immediately reduce penile sensitivity.
Thicker condoms are often labeled as “Extra Strength” or “Extra Safe.” You may also want to look at condoms that are specially made for guys who have issues with premature ejaculation, which often come with their own numbing gel inside.
The brands that cater to PE have names such as “Extended Pleasure,” “Delay,” and “Prolong.”
Some men achieve the results they are looking for and are completely satisfied with these types of condoms.
However, others may find that these all-in-one condoms over-numb the area, thus creating the opposite problem: making it too difficult to climax.
Consider an oral medication
Depending on the cause of your penile hypersensitivity, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant, may be another potential option.
However, this is something you’ll need to consult with your physician about, and it may come with a higher monthly cost and potential side effects.
While SSRIs were designed an approved to treat mood disorders, they are sometimes prescribed off-label to treat premature ejaculation.
Why is that? Because a well-known side effect of SSRIs is delayed orgasm. This is a case where some people take a drug specifically because they want the side effect.
