Most body parts don't change in size unless they're injured. Fingers, toes, teeth and eyes remain relatively stable unless they're hit or poked, and when they swell, the pain can be enormous. The penis, on the other hand, swells up and shrinks down multiple times each and every day, based on nothing more than physical sensation or mental imagery. However, many men experience loss of penis sensation over the years, and the result can be a penis that just isn’t as responsive as it used to be. If a man with type 2 diabetes begins to experience a reduction in penis sensitivity, his blood sugar levels could be to blame, and a diet change and appropriate penis care could be the key to getting back on track.

Nerves and the Penis

Blood vessels that line the penis are responsible for erections, but the nerves that lie alongside the circulatory tissue are in charge of sending signals of pleasure. Each touch and vibration passes through these nerves, delivering messages from the penis to the brain. But the penile nerve tissue is remarkably sensitive to injury, and men with diabetes can be especially susceptible to sensory loss in the penis.

Experts call this change "autonomic neuropathy," and it's quite common in older men who have long struggled to keep their diabetes under control. A man like this might still have a robust craving for sex, but he might also find it difficult to feel touch or pressure through the cells of the penis. While he might enjoy getting frisky with a partner, he might also find that sex is not always enjoyable; he can't feel everything he once did, and he might not be able to reach a climax as a result.

Taking Care of Diabetes

Nerve damage like this isn't an inevitable after a diabetes diagnosis, though. In fact, men who have diabetes can take proactive steps to keep nerve damage from occurring by:

  • Eating a healthful diet;
  • Losing weight;
  • Exercising regularly;
  • Checking blood sugar often;
  • Taking medications as directed by their doctor.

Men who notice sensitivity issues might need a little extra help from their health care providers, though, as their medications might not be providing the kind of control that can keep damage from taking place. Bringing up the issue can be awkward, but it's vital for men to discuss sexual health issues openly so that their doctors can help them plan a comprehensive plan for care.

Special Penis Considerations

Men who do have penis sensitivity issues related to diabetes will need to take additional precautions in order to ensure that their most sensitive tool stays both responsive and receptive to pleasure. Sometimes, this means adopting a new mindset about sex.

Sex is often a goal-oriented activity, starting in a specific way and ending with a climax. A man who thinks this way might be tempted to masturbate for an hour, not stopping until he's reached his peak, or he might pound away on a partner until both parties are raw and sore and no one is satisfied. While these sorts of behaviors might seem harmless, they can do yet more damage to the taxed nerves that line the penis.

Enjoying sex without doing damage means reveling in the moment, taking in all of the sights and sounds and pleasurable sensations available. Sometimes, these episodes end with climax. Sometimes, they just feel great without leading anywhere at all. Just being aware and relaxed might be enough to make sex pleasant, no matter how it might end.

Using a penis health creme can also benefit men with diabetes-related sensation loss. These products (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can nourish the nerve cells, so they can keep firing at a reasonable rate. These products can also keep skin soft, smooth and supple, making it pleasant to handle and responsive to touch.