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Death Grip Syndrome: What It Is & How to Treat It

Kelly Brown MD, MBA

Reviewed by Kelly Brown MD, MBA

Written by Erica Garza

Published 12/28/2020

Updated 03/05/2025

“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. Namely, death grip syndrome.

Death grip syndrome is a nonscientific name to describe the consequences of masturbating with too tight of 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 death grip syndrome is a fairly common issue, and it’s also easy to address with a couple of technique changes.

Below, we’ve described how death grip syndrome happens, the possible causes, and what you might do to loosen your grip.

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 due to death-grip masturbation habits can produce numerous sexual health issues beyond making climax difficult to achieve.

They include:

Some men find that the death grip and similar orgasm-related problems can lead to relationship issues, 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.

It’s possible that for some men, death grip syndrome is a secondary condition, and they’re gripping too hard for a reason, 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 cure your death grip syndrome? 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 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, so to speak, 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 your DGS is because you’re squeezing to make up for poor blood flow, 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 squeeze for sexual pleasure. Prescription ED medications are available and include:

Switch 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 DGS is 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.

Worried you’re choking off your sex life with your death grip? Here’s what you need to know:

  • Death grip syndrome can happen if you masturbate with a tight grip. 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 penis 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.

Don’t put the squeeze on intimacy. Avoid DGS, and if you need help, reach out.

5 Sources

  1. Higgins A, et al. (2010). Antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: impact, effects, and treatment. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3108697/
  2. Jenkins L, et al. (2015). Delayed orgasm and anorgasmia. https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(15)01957-3/fulltext
  3. Leibovitch I, et al. (2004). The vicious cycling: Bicycle related urogenital disorders. https://ismseat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/theviciouscycling.pdf
  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2019). Penile curvature (Peyronie’s disease) https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/penile-curvature-peyronies-disease
  5. Sun CH, et al. (2014). Pornography and the Male Sexual Script: An Analysis of Consumption and Sexual Relations. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269173515_Pornography_and_the_Male_Sexual_Script_An_Analysis_of_Consumption_and_Sexual_Relations
Editorial Standards

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

Kelly Brown MD, MBA
Kelly Brown MD, MBA

Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.

She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.

Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.

Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.

Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.

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