Do You Have Decreased Sensation With Intercourse? Here’s What It Could Mean

Table of Contents

• Vaginal Sensation and Menopause
  • Other Causes of Decreased Sensation
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  • Clitoral Atrophy
• Decreased Penile Sensation
• UroGYN Can Help

Did you know that over 40% of women report sexual dysfunction? Men are not completely exempt – 31% of men also reported sexual dysfunction. 

Decreased sensation is one of the main causes of dysfunction in the bedroom that limits you from experiencing pleasure. Many people brush off sexual dysfunctions because they are embarrassed or think something is wrong with them – this is not the case!

Decreased sensation with intercourse is something that affects many people. Keep reading on to learn more about the causes of this sexual dysfunction. 

Vaginal Sensation and Menopause

Most often, decreased vaginal sensation is from a medical condition. Other times, it is the result of changes in female hormones, such as when a woman goes through menopause. 

In fact – menopause is actually one of the leading causes of females having deceased clitoral sensation. Estrogen drops significantly when a woman enters menopause. 

Estrogen is essential to maintaining a balanced and healthy genital region. It is thought that estrogen affects the vascularity and nervous system of the clitoris. This leads to reduced sensitivity during intercourse. 

Surveys involving women ages 57 to 85 reported that over 20% had difficulties with pleasure during sex. Women under the age of 45 were less likely to have sexual dysfunction problems. 

This shows the large role that menopause and hormonal balances play in pleasure, sensitivity, and satisfaction during sex. Menopause also leads to vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal walls. 

While your OB/GYN can help with your pelvic issues – a UroGYN is more specialized in pelvic health and hormone balancing.  

Other Causes of Decreased Sensation

High levels of cortisol – that pesky stress hormone – reduces estrogen and impacts sensitivity during intercourse. It seems like a simple solution, but you can try reducing triggers and stressors to see if it makes a difference in the bedroom. 

Are you struggling with decreased sensation after childbirth? So are many other women – you are not alone! 

The typical cause of decreased sensation after childbirth is scarring and weakened pelvic muscles. This results in less blood flow, and proper blood flow is critical to sensitivity and achieving orgasm. 

A lesser-known problem of decreased sensitivity is sexual trauma. In this instance, the stress and fear over intercourse lead to altered blood flow and greater increases in cortisol. It is important to address these concerns with a skilled and qualified physician. 

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

In more severe medical scenarios – a pelvic organ prolapse has the potential of reducing genital sensation. With this condition, one of the organs situated in the pelvic region collapses into the vaginal area. This results in the organ bulging into the vaginal walls. 

This is not a life-threatening diagnosis and affects many women. The most common organ that prolapses are the uterus or bladder. Sometimes strengthening exercises help, otherwise more aggressive medical intervention is necessary. 

Surgery is not the only solution to organ prolapse.

However, there are some uncomfortable symptoms that vary with women. Some common ones include heaviness in the genital region, feeling a lump in the vagina, numbness with sex, and incontinence.

Other times, women don’t even know they have an organ prolapse – but if you are dealing with decreased sensitivity, this is something your UroGYN assesses during a pelvic exam. 

Some common treatments for pelvic organ prolapse are exercises, hormone treatments, or vaginal pessaries. What are vaginal pessaries? It is a flexible device that is inserted into the vagina and supports the prolapsed organ. 

In more severe scenarios, surgery is recommended.

You might think of a pelvic organ prolapse occurring during menopause, but it also affects many younger women also. Being overweight and having multiple childbirth places women more at risk of organ prolapse. 

Clitoral Atrophy

As a result of other sexual dysfunctions, the clitoris atrophies. When this happens, the clitoris loses sensation and shrinks in size. 

There are usually three main causes of clitoral atrophy. This includes impaired blood flow, menopause, and having a hysterectomy. 

Improving blood flow is one of the main steps to improving sensation. This means participating in exercise programs and activities that raise your heart rate. Masturbation also redirects blood flow to the clitoral region. 

Also, consider talking to your doctor about hormone therapy. Estrogen helps in certain scenarios with clitoral atrophy and post-menopausal women.

Decreased Penile Sensation

While women are more likely to have sexual dysfunctions, men are also at risk. Decreased penile sensation is one main symptom that men complain of. What causes this?

A numb penis varies between men – some have no sensation in the region while others state that it feels like an extremity has “fallen asleep.” Sometimes, an injury causes decreased sensation to the penis.

Common causes are sitting for long periods of time or even using a bicycle. This puts added pressure and reduces circulation to the genital region. During this scenario, sensation typically returns after a period of time. 

Injuries during sex or with masturbation can harm the blood vessels and tissues of the penis which leads to reduced sensation. 

Lower levels of testosterone are another major cause. While older men are more likely to have symptoms of low testosterone levels, testosterone technically begins declining after puberty. This means that even young adults could have these symptoms.

Low testosterone leads to a reduction in sex drive as well as decreased sensation.

Prostate cancer or other medical conditions reduces penile sensitivity. For instance, during prostate cancer, tumors have the potential to lead to impaired sensitivity and other nerve conditions. 

UroGYN Can Help

If you are suffering from sexual dysfunctions such as decreased sensation, then don’t wait any longer for help. A UroGYN has qualified and specialized training to address a variety of pelvic floor conditions.

Contact us today so that you can be on your way to a healthier and happier life – both in the bedroom and out of the bedroom.