Is Death Grip Syndrome Real?

Masturbation. It’s a safe and easy way to enjoy sexual pleasure in the comfort of your home any time you want. There’s literally no possible downside! Not so fast! What if I told you there is a way your masturbation routine could be throwing off the rest of your sexual game, leading to difficulty orgasming and possible erectile dysfunction. Bummer right?  Don’t worry, this condition with a name that sounds scarier than it is, death grip syndrome, is totally fixable. We just have to know how to handle it, so to speak. 

That’s why we’re going to break down death grip syndrome: what it is, what causes it, and how to make it disappear. So hold on tight (but not too tight, you’ll see why in a minute), because it’s time to talk all about this condition.

What is death grip syndrome? 

First things first, we keep saying “death grip syndrome” like it’s a real diagnosis, and the term has entered the pop culture lexicon; it’s not obscure or unheard of.

That said, it is by no means a medical or scientific term. No one’s medical chart has ever said “death grip syndrome”. That doesn’t mean, however, that it is not real. It just means that the evidence surrounding it is less medical and more anecdotal. 

Now that that’s out of the way, what is death grip syndrome? In short, for folks with penises, death grip syndrome is a consequence of repeatedly masturbating with too firm of a grip. What this means is that if you habitually hold on for dear life while masturbating you may inadvertently make it harder to enjoy other parts of your sex life, including partnered sex because your body becomes used to the pressure provided during death grip masturbation and nothing else works for you. 

Death Grip Syndrome Symptoms

As this is not an official diagnosis, there is not an official set of symptoms. Each person who experiences death grip syndrome may experience a different collection of symptoms and experience them to a different degree.

However, there are some common symptoms that can result from frequently masturbating with too tight a grip, including:

• Anorgasmia (complete inability to orgasm)
• Delayed orgasm
• Delayed ejaculation
• Genital numbness 
• Injury to the penis 
• Nerve damage

What causes death grip syndrome? 

Death grip syndrome is legitimately a consequence of habitually using a very very tight grip during masturbation. 

“An incredibly tight grasp on the penis during masturbation can cause so-called Death Grip Syndrome.” says Dr Sarah Welsh, OBGYN and HANX Co-Founder “It can cause problems in partnered sex, especially vaginal sex, as it can be difficult to recreate the intense pressure and friction. This can make it harder to orgasm from stimulation at any lower level than your own grip”

So, what does this mean in terms of symptoms like erectile dysfunction? Let’s check it out.

Death Grip Syndrome and Erectile Dysfunction 

In terms of death grip syndrome and erectile dysfunction, it’s not a simple cause-and-effect situation. Death grip syndrome is about desensitization making it harder to reach orgasm and according to Dr Ashwin Sharma, Medical Communications Manager at ZipHealth and MedExpress  “This type of desensitization alone could easily cause performance anxiety and frustration, further compounding ED.”

So the situation has layers to it.

Dr. Sharma reminds us to “Keep in mind that while this can be a contributing factor, ED is usually multifactorial and is psychological and/or physiological in nature.”

Additionally, as we mentioned earlier, symptoms vary from person to person.

“Not everyone who has death grip masturbation will develop erectile dysfunction,” said  Dr. Welsh. “But if your go-to masturbatory style is very different from partnered sex, it can make it trickier to get hard and stay hard with a partner.”

Is death grip syndrome permanent? 

The short answer is no. The longer answer is that death grip syndrome is, at its core, a form of anorgasmia. This 2015 study discusses how anorgasmia — whether caused by medications, psychological causes, or even “using idiosyncratic masturbation techniques" — can often be resolved with the proper behavior modifications and, if necessary, medical and/or psychological treatment.

That brings us to the question of how to cure death grip syndrome. We have some answers and, actually, some of them are quite fun!

How to Fix Death Grip Syndrome 

Now that we know it’s not permanent let’s talk about how to fix death grip syndrome. The process of curing death grip syndrome might be a little different for everyone, depending on what each body and mind needs.

Here are some suggestions that can help you loosen DGS’s grip on your sex life:

Take a break from masturbation

I know! Not the most fun.

But according to Dr. Sharma, “Reducing or stopping the masturbation habit for some time can recover the sensitivity.”

Remember, this is not about abstaining because masturbation is wrong or bad in any way, it’s just about allowing the body some time to recover from the death grip penis habits it has developed. 

Change up your style

When you add self-love back to your routine, it can be worthwhile to explore different masturbation styles.

“Try loosening your grip, even in small increments.” recommends Dr. Welsh “Switching positions can also help, such as masturbating in doggy style, rather than on your back, to mimic partnered sex.”

Experiment with toys

While you are experimenting, why not explore some completely new sensations? Masturbation sleeves, cock rings, penis vibrators, and other toys can open the door to a whole new world of sensation without desensitization. 

Add in some lube

I always recommend lubricant in all sexual situations and in this case, the experts are in agreement. Dr. Sharma and Dr. Welsh both advised using lubricant to reduce friction and enhance pleasure. 

Talk about it

When challenges arise in our sex lives, it can feel like we can’t talk about them, which can often make the situation even worse. Talk to your partner and if necessary, Dr. Sharma recommends talking to a professional.

“Having therapy from a therapist or counselor will help in case one has any psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, or stress associated with the problem.”

The Bottom Line

While death grip syndrome may not be a recognized medical diagnosis it is definitely something one can experience if they frequently grip the penis too tightly during masturbation. It can come with symptoms like delayed orgasm, erectile dysfunction, nerve damage, and anorgasmia, not to mention psychological side effects that can make several of those symptoms even worse. 

The good news is, it’s not permanent.

“If you are suffering from the symptoms of ‘Death Grip Syndrome,’ then know that change is possible,” says Dr. Sharma. “Most of the time, sensitivity can be regained, and sexual function improved by changes in habits and patience with the healing process.”

So if your sex life is hit with DGS, don’t panic! Take some time, do some exploring, and give your body and mind a chance to reacclimate to life (and pleasure) without the death grip.