Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 9/24/2009

Question
About 7 weeks ago, I used a condom that contained benzocaine and now my penis has a loss of sensation . I used a total of 5 condoms on 3 different occasions. The first two times, i lost my erection and after putting the condom on so i got it back up and put on another condom It is possible that the benzocaine could still be in my system or could cause permanent nerve damage? I feel like my whole body has a loss of sensation. My teeth used to be very sensitive to hot and cold temps, now i can actually chew ice. Its very weird. My testicles are no longer sensitive and i don't have the normal sensation when i ejaculate. I noticed that my skin had turned pale, which is slowly improving, and that cut and scraps on my body will barely bleed.  I really don't know what is going on but it seems to be something systemic. The condom said "mild desensitizer" and the benzocaine concentration was only 4%? Does you have any clue what this might be? Do you know of any treatment for this?

Answer
Your problem is not Benzocaine still in your system (it disappears within 1-2 hours). I also don't understand the concept of putting Benzocaine in a condom but that is not relevant here. The symptoms you describe could not be from local application of a small amount of Benzocaine so I would recommend you see your primary care doctor and have a complete physical to see if something else is going on.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston