When Masturbation Makes Sex Difficult: A Guide to ‘Death Grip Syndrome’

“Death grip” may sound like the name of a new metal band, but it’s actually a masturbation technique that may cause a physical injury.

Masturbating can be a safe and fun solo sexual activity. Unfortunately, if you’re holding on a little too tight, your discreet solo session can have some unintended negative consequences.

“Death grip syndrome” is a non-scientific name to describe the consequences of masturbating with too tight a grip on yourself.

Guys who squeeze too hard or masturbate with a tight grip might wonder what kind of damage they’re doing. Are they at risk of injuring themselves, desensitizing their penises, or even causing nerve damage? It’s not outside the realm of possibility.

The good news is that this issue is fairly common and easy to address with a couple of technique changes.

Below, we break down how excessive pressure during masturbation can affect sensitivity, what might cause it, and how to adjust your technique for better sexual satisfaction.

Death grip syndrome is a slang term for the desensitization of nerves in the penis due to masturbating with a tight grip. This can make it difficult to reach orgasm during sex.

It’s unclear where the term originated — some credit it to sex columnist Dan Savage in the 2000s. However, death grip syndrome is not officially recognized as a medical condition, and some experts believe it’s related to delayed ejaculation.

A man affected by death grip syndrome might find it fast and easy to reach orgasm when he masturbates, yet find it slow or impossible when having sex. To reach orgasm during sex, he might need to masturbate to climax, even with a partner present, because he has become reliant on a specific technique.

The best approximation of death grip syndrome in medical literature dates to a 2015 study on a condition called anorgasmia (the inability to orgasm) and delayed orgasm. The authors noted that men can sometimes suffer from both problems due to their masturbation habits — that masturbation may be a more enjoyable sensation than intercourse with a partner due to a specific masturbation style that their partner can’t replicate.

It’s hard to pin down diagnostic criteria here. The severity of death grip syndrome can vary from one man to another, and we don’t have an official guidebook for the symptoms of so-called “DGS.”

Anorgasmia resulting from excessive pressure during masturbation can produce numerous sexual health issues beyond making climax difficult to achieve.

They include:

• Penile pain or injury

• Numb penis and nerve damage

• Sore arm

• Ejaculation problems, including delayed ejaculation

Some men find that intense or habitual masturbation techniques can contribute to orgasm-related difficulties and relationship issues, including reduced feelings of intimacy, or a preference for masturbation over sex.

Identifying what techniques or grip styles lead to DGS is also challenging. But there are some hints.

First, studies of cyclists have found that the repetitive, continual pressure of cycling is linked to penile numbness and erectile dysfunction, which — although we definitely can’t say for sure — could mean that other types of repetitive pressure are linked to these conditions, as well.

A 2004 review of 62 articles found that while the most commonly reported genital symptom due to cycling was genital numbness, which 50 to 91 percent of cyclists reported (depending on the study), the second-most common symptom was erectile dysfunction (ED), reported by 13 to 24 percent of cyclists, possibly as a result of their exercise habits.

Another study found that men for whom masturbation is more pleasurable than sex may continue to maintain unusual masturbation techniques, including those that apply extra pressure to the penis and reduce its sensitivity level.

For some men, gripping too hard during masturbation may be a response to underlying issues, like reduced sensitivity due to medications or medical conditions.

Medications

Some medications that cause ED, like antidepressants (particularly SSRIs), can reduce penile sensitivity and make it harder to reach orgasm.

Other types of medications may affect the peripheral nerves and reduce sensitivity throughout your body.

If you’re experiencing sexual side effects from an antidepressant, this guide can offer more information on managing them.

Medical Conditions

Several medical conditions, including Peyronie’s disease and thyroid issues, may contribute to sexual dysfunction. At the same time, hormonal health issues like low testosterone may also cause a reduced level of interest and certain sexual performance issues.

In addition, diabetic neuropathy and other issues that cause nerve damage may reduce nerve function or sensitivity in your penis — a condition called neurological ED.

Looking to regain sensitivity? Milder cases have a pretty straightforward treatment plan: a lighter grip and fewer masturbation sessions per day or week.

If you’re going too hard or too often, give your penis some time to recover. Over time, there’s a chance that giving it a rest will bring back some sensitivity.

Once that recovery period has passed, you can try again later with some new tips in mind to physically and psychologically recondition yourself:

Don’t Rush

Without a partner present, you may want to hurry to the finish line, but give your penis some time to get warmed up. When you’re in the mood, try to let yourself get an erection without any manual stimulation, or let your partner help you instead of doing it yourself.

Try a Lighter Masturbation Technique

Use a light grip and stroke your penis gently and slowly instead of firmly and fast. And use lube to reduce friction and increase the comfort of hand-based sexual stimulation.

Limit Your Porn Consumption

While porn isn’t necessarily bad for you, there’s some evidence that it might have negative effects on your sexual performance. So, it’s possible that quitting porn may improve certain forms of sexual dysfunction.

Try to reduce your consumption or avoid porn altogether, at least for a few weeks. If you notice improvements in your ability to enjoy sex and reach orgasm with your partner, consider cutting down your porn consumption for the long term.

Rule Out Medical Issues

Experiencing temporary ED isn’t a big deal, but if the issue stems from reduced blood flow or overcompensation through technique, you could be creating a vicious cycle.

Talk to a healthcare provider. They may offer medical advice for treating ED, which could further reduce your need to grip too intensely for sexual pleasure. Prescription ED medications are available and include:

• Viagra^®

• Sildenafil (generic Viagra)

• Cialis^®

• Tadalafil (generic Cialis)

• Chewable ED mints

Consider Switching Medications

If you’re taking a type of medication that’s linked to sexual performance issues, such as an SSRI antidepressant, your healthcare provider may suggest switching to a different medication. However, you should never stop taking a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor first.

Be Honest With Your Partner

If you think your masturbation habits are affecting your sex life and your relationship, don’t be embarrassed. Talking to your partner may make it easier to relax during sex and enjoy yourself.

Death grip syndrome may also be a wake-up call to spice things up. For example, you may benefit from taking part in mutual masturbation with your partner or trying a new sex toy.

Get Help for Anxiety

If this cycle is more than you and your partner can handle, there’s help available. Consider talking to a mental health professional or going to sex therapy for support.

There’s nothing wrong with masturbating. It’s a natural thing that, when performed the right way, won’t have any negative effects on your sexual desire or performance.

If you’re experiencing a loss of penile sensitivity, here’s what you need to know:

• Habitual masturbation with a tight grip can reduce sensitivity over time and make it harder to climax during partnered sex. If you’re having difficulty reaching orgasm during sex but have no problems when you masturbate, you may be affected by death grip syndrome or DGS.

• Death grip syndrome can affect more than just your penile sensitivity. It could lead to injury, anxiety, depression, and intimacy issues.

• Changes to your porn and masturbation habits could help you recover. So can communicating with your partner and seeking professional help from a sex therapist.

If changing your habits doesn’t seem to work, get advice from a healthcare provider. They can help through different methods of therapy, medications, and other treatment options.