Dry Rubbing and Death Grip: Masturbation Problems to Avoid
When a man is looking for new ways to pleasure himself, he may choose to try certain things that don’t exactly lead to good penis care. Two of the most common masturbation techniques a man might experiment with include the “death grip” and dry rubbing, neither of which bode well for the good health of a man’s penile skin. But there’s no doubt that in the heat of the moment, each of these techniques can be quite pleasurable. So what’s the problem with trying them once in a while?
Why is dry rubbing a problem?
Dry rubbing is exactly what it sounds like: rubbing the penis without any kind of lubricant. Although many men produce natural lubrication during masturbation, many men will wipe it off to maintain the friction of a dry rubbing technique. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst things a man can do to the skin on his penis.
When a man dry rubs, he is irritating the nerve endings in the penis. These highly sensitive nerve endings can respond in a way that seems pleasurable at first, but that pleasure can mask the damage that is done with each blow. In addition to the pain, redness, and tiny microtears that result from dry rubbing, stroking can cause deeper problems, such as minor trauma to penile tissue or even to the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis.
The result of such minor trauma to penile tissue can be a buildup of scar tissue, eventually leading to something known as Peyronie’s disease, an abnormal curvature of the penis that can interfere with sexual activity. Another problem could be erectile dysfunction as a result of minor damage to blood vessels, over and over again, over a long period of time.
But the most common problem with dry rubbing is damage to the nerve endings. As the skin on the penis is roughly handled, it will naturally build up a kind of “callus”, much like calluses on a person’s feet or hands. This prevents the delicate skin from further trauma. Calloused skin means there will be less sensation in the penis, which can make every act of sex a lot less enjoyable. Dry rubbing is not worth losing penile sensitivity!
Why the death grip should be avoided
Another problem is the “death grip”. This occurs when a man grips the penis so tightly that it causes pain, decreased blood flow, and much more intense friction, which in turn can cause the same problems as dry rubbing. The death grip can occur with or without lubricant; Sometimes the lube will give a man a sense of security from holding his penis so tightly, but the lube won’t actually prevent damage from the intense pressure.
Keep in mind that the death grip can cause even more problems than dry rubbing, especially when it comes to scar tissue buildup. A man can easily create many microtears, which can lead to internal damage that a man can’t immediately see, but will eventually feel the consequences. Rather than take chances, a guy should always use a loose grip when he masturbates and use lube to help keep things smooth and moving the way they should be.
After a good masturbation session, a man can pamper the skin of his penis with a good dose of penis health cream. (Health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe for skin.). Look for a cream that contains L-carnitine, which protects against peripheral nerve damage caused by rough handling, as well as L-arginine to improve blood vessel health. Penile skin can also greatly benefit from daily use of shea butter and vitamin E, two ingredients that lock in hydration and keep men’s favorite tool feeling soft and supple.