I Lack Sensitivity in My Penis, Making It Difficult to Orgasm

Winston says adjusting the amount of lube during sex — whether increasing or decreasing — can make a difference. “It’s about finding the right balance for what feels best for you.”

Retrain your brain — and your body. Because your body is used to doing things a certain way, you have to retrain your brain and body to adjust to different stimulation — and that might take time, says Winston, assistant physician-in-chief at Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group.

This “retraining process,” as Winston calls it, takes patience since you’re breaking longstanding patterns. 

His advice? Try a combination approach. For example, if manual stimulation is your thing, you might start with it and then transition to intercourse as you approach climax. “This gradual blending of stimuli can help your body adapt over time,” he says.

Get your testosterone checked. Testosterone is a hormone that regulates the entire range of sexual urges and feelings, according to urologist Abraham Morgentaler. “When levels are low, the penis may feel less sensitive,” he says. “Without it, the penis becomes a piece of flesh like any other part of the body.”

Ask your urologist or primary care physician for the two different blood tests that measure testosterone levels, suggests Morgentaler, author of The Truth About Men and Sex: Intimate Secrets from the Doctor’s Office. One is called "total" and the other "free." Together,  they can track all the testosterone in your body, so you want both.

If you do need testosterone replacement therapy, Morgentaler says there’s an array of safe prescription treatment options (but of course check with your doctor):

• Oral meds: Morgentaler says there are three that doctors often prescribe for this issue: Kyzatrex, Tlando and Jatenzo.
• A topical cream: This is applied daily to the chest, upper arms or thighs.
• Injections: These are done either in the buttock or subcutaneously in the belly fat. You can do this yourself or a doctor will do it in a quick office procedure.
• Pellets placed under the skin in the buttock area: These are administered in a doctor’s office under local anesthesia. 

“The goal is to bring back that normal hormone to youthful, healthy levels,” Morgentaler says.

Consider lifestyle and health issues. Loss of penile sensation can also be caused by chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease as well as excessive alcohol use and aging, Morgentaler says.

Antidepressants and beta-blockers (used to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure) can also contribute to a loss of sexual sensation in the penis. In that case, Morgentaler recommends talking to the prescribing doctor about alternatives that won’t cause sensitivity issues.

One specific activity to pay attention to: frequent bicycle riding. Winston says biking can place prolonged pressure on the perineum, the area between the anus and scrotum, potentially reducing blood flow to the penis. He suggests adjusting the bike seat to relieve some of that pressure and wearing padded shorts to help mitigate this.

Communicate and collaborate with your partner. If you are in a partnered relationship, Winston says it’s important to be open about your needs while being mindful of your partner’s comfort and desires.

Exploring different methods of stimulation or sexual positions can create a more dynamic, enjoyable experience while also shifting the focus away from reaching climax, he adds.

“This can open the door to a collaborative approach where both of you feel heard and satisfied,” he says. “Remember, sexual satisfaction doesn’t always follow a linear path — it’s about what works best for both partners.”