Masturbating is a normal and healthy activity for both men and women. It allows them to discover their own bodies, find out what feels best, and help them to develop their own sensuality. Self-pleasuring can also provide a sense of relaxation, relieve unhealthy levels of stress, and boost the level of neurotransmitters that allow them to feel calm, confident and positive about their lives.

On the other hand, for men in particular, masturbating can give rise to some common problems, including redness, dry skin, loss of sensitivity and an overall sore penis. Fortunately, in most cases, some easy fixes and new techniques can help to improve penis sensitivity and eliminate soreness and stressed dermal tissue.

Some of the masturbation problems that men may encounter are as follows:

  • Dry, cracked skin - All that rubbing produces heat, which in turn leads to dryness and cracked, flaking skin. Not only does this lead to a much less appealing-looking organ; cracked skin can allow harmful organisms to penetrate, and the damaged tissue tends to reform itself in a tougher, thicker layer which is less responsive to tactile stimulation.
  • Sore penis - Whether from the rubbing, an overly-enthusiastic grip, or an extended session, masturbation can leave the skin of the penis feeling sore and raw. For men who find it difficult to let things heal up between sessions, this can lead to ongoing discomfort that may even limit their ability to enjoy their alone time, not to mention fun with a partner.
  • Loss of sensation - It is natural for men to develop a sort of routine when it comes to self-pleasuring, as they know what works best to bring things to a satisfactory finish. On the other hand, sticking to the same old same old in terms of tickling the biscuit can cause the related nerve pathways to become over-accustomed to the stimulus. In this case, the nerves may simply fail to transmit the pleasure signals from the penis to the brain. Men who develop this issue often feel like their penis has lost something in terms of sensitivity - a condition sometimes affectionately referred to as "death grip syndrome."
  • Injury to the erectile tissue - Last but not least, chronic rough handling or a sudden slip can damage the connective tissue that surrounds the erectile chambers. When this occurs, scar tissue may form around this tissue, leading to an erection that is not so straight or long as before. In extreme cases, the penis may develop a pronounced bend during erections, a problem known in medical circles as Peyronie’s disease.

Preventing injury and improving penis health

The best offense is always good defense, so it is important that men take the right steps to protect their penis before trouble starts. These easy steps can help to ensure that the tissue is as healthy as possible, allowing it to look and feel better as well as increasing resistance to infection and injury:

  • Wash gently, never scrub;
  • Use a gentle cleanser, not a harsh soap;
  • Allow the area to dry thoroughly before getting dressed to decrease the risk that fungal or bacterial infections can take hold;
  • Lube it up - make sure to use a lubricant that is intended for the purposes and contains no fragrances or other chemicals that can irritate the skin;
  • Mix it up - try different techniques, or add interesting toys, for a little variety - this can help to prevent the brain from becoming bored with the same old routine;
  • Apply a penis health formula (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) after a daily shower to make sure that the skin is nourished with collagen-boosting vitamins, disease-fighting antioxidants, and moisture-rich emollients for healthy, responsive skin.