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Topic: Urology

Expert: Arthur Goldstein, M.D.
Date: 9/21/2008
Subject: sensitivity.

Question
Hey doc, three years ago, when I was young and stupid, I took part in stretching exercises I found online. I figured what the heck, see how it would go. Well I noticed numbness, which went away, then full sensation came back about a little over a year later. Unfortunately, I decided to try to give it another go about a year ago, just one last try. And it went numb again! Again the numbness went away, I do feel more feeling back now at the little over year mark. For some reason I can feel more on more the left side of my glans than the right. I hope it will fully heal, I know nerves take awhile to heal.

I have given up my stretching experimentation forever now, because I can't deal with these losses of sensation setbacks.

So my question is you think its possible I ruined some nerves permanently this time around? Or over more time will it heal? All I did was normal stretching maybe a bit too strongly, maybe squeezed a bit too hard while stretching as well, but thats all I did. Nothing extreme.

Thanks for the help. Really wish I never bothered with this stuff.

Answer
Kev, nerve damage is a common of the various stretching exercises pro-ported by unscientific sources on the internet. It is not unusual for one side to heal faster than the other. nerve damage, as you have noted, takes a long time to heal as nerve regeneration is a very slow process. I am not aware of any case that failed to heal eventually from this practice so I am optimistic that you will as well. Your decisions NEVER to try this again is quite wise as your nerves are now more easily susceptible to being damaged again. To follow is a "macro" I have written on penile size and stretching exercises that you might find interesting:

Question regarding penile size are common. The majority of men believe they were "short-changed". You should be aware that there are many marketers who prey on men with medically unsubstantiated claims of improving size & performance. The average erect penis is 4-6" (10-15 cm.) and indeed this is where the overwhelmingly number of men fall. I have read the web sites regarding claims of increasing penile size but have had no personal clinical experience with the techniques (ie stretching, massage, jelqing, andropenis, penis extenders, etc.). However, based on my years of practice and knowledge of anatomy and physiology, I find it difficult to believe they would work to any significant degree. I have received reports on this site of complications such as burning and numbness of the penile tissues, bruising, swelling, & local discomfort from such practices. Fortunately, these side effects which are due to local penile injury, clear on their own as long as the technique is discontinued. Resolution may take a few days for bruising but months for the numbness. My best advise is to learn how to use what you were naturally endowed with to the maximum. There are many excellent books available on how to become a terrific lover almost regardless of penile size. You might consider consulting a urologist if for no other reason than reassurance about your probable normality. If one is truly excessively small, there are operations available to increase the size of the penis. However, there are significant potential surgical complications. Because of this, the American Urological Association does not recommend this type of surgery be done routinely. It is best reserved for the most extreme cases of penile deficiency Good luck!

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