Death-grip syndrome

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Death-grip and death-grip syndrome (DGS) are slang terms for suffering adverse effects from one's aggressive and recurrent male masturbation technique, which result in an unsatisfactory experience when engaging in regular sexual intercourse with a partner. A similar condition, dead-vagina syndrome, has been asserted to exist in women. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Concept

Death-grip syndrome, sometimes abbreviated as DGS, was arguably coined in 2003 by sex columnist Dan Savage and is an issue that affects both men and women. [3] For women the slang term used is "dead vagina syndrome." [1] [2]

Although men with the indisposition may still experience an erection, it may impact a relationship negatively due to a sense of being sexually incompatible with a partner due to the habit of lasting too long during sexual activity, and subsequent side-effects such as blue balls or inhibited ejaculation. [4] Some people who have claimed to "experience the death-grip" state that although they can still experience pleasure, the typical vagina feels too loose, and fellatio provides insufficient friction to produce an orgasm. [5] Richard Santucci, chief of urology at Detroit Receiving Hospital's Center for Urologic Reconstruction, believes that "too strong masturbation" is not a common cause of delayed ejaculation, and states that "diabetes, medications, low testosterone, anxiety" are the common causes. [6]

Perception

The concept of death-grip syndrome is not recognized by any mainstream medical bodies. [7] Some analysts[ who? ] have argued that sexual techniques that have a vacuum effect, such as oral pompoir or vaginal pompoir could alleviate DGS. [8] Some analysts[ who? ] have argued that there are other forms of social conditioning ingrained during adolescence that occur concurrently with DGS, such as a reluctance among men to make audible sounds of pleasure such as moaning. Such silence during sex is learned from growing up in one's household and attempting to remain discreet when around family. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orgasm</span> Intense physical sensation of sexual release

Orgasm or sexual climax is the sudden discharge of accumulated sexual excitement during the sexual response cycle, resulting in rhythmic, involuntary muscular contractions in the pelvic region characterized by sexual pleasure. Experienced by males and females, orgasms are controlled by the involuntary or autonomic nervous system. They are usually associated with involuntary actions, including muscular spasms in multiple areas of the body, a general euphoric sensation, and, frequently, body movements and vocalizations. The period after orgasm is typically a relaxing experience, attributed to the release of the neurohormones oxytocin and prolactin as well as endorphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual intercourse</span> Penetrative sexual activity for reproduction or sexual pleasure

Sexual intercourse is sexual activity involving the insertion and thrusting of the male penis inside the female vagina for sexual pleasure, reproduction, or both. This is also known as vaginal intercourse or vaginal sex. Other forms of penetrative sexual intercourse include anal sex, oral sex, fingering and penetration by use of a dildo, and vibrators These activities involve physical intimacy between two or more individuals and are usually used among humans solely for physical or emotional pleasure and can contribute to human bonding.

Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse due to medical or psychological causes. The term dyspareunia covers both female dyspareunia and male dyspareunia, but many discussions that use the term without further specification concern the female type, which is more common than the male type. In females, the pain can primarily be on the external surface of the genitalia, or deeper in the pelvis upon deep pressure against the cervix. Medically, dyspareunia is a pelvic floor dysfunction and is frequently underdiagnosed. It can affect a small portion of the vulva or vagina or be felt all over the surface. Understanding the duration, location, and nature of the pain is important in identifying the causes of the pain.

Coitus reservatus, also known as sexual continence, is a form of sexual intercourse in which a male does not attempt to ejaculate within his partner, avoiding the seminal emission. It is distinct from death-grip syndrome, wherein a male has no volition in his emissionless state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual stimulation</span> Stimulus that causes and maintains sexual arousal

Sexual stimulation is any stimulus that leads to, enhances and maintains sexual arousal, and may lead to orgasm. Although sexual arousal may arise without physical stimulation, achieving orgasm usually requires it.

Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), previously called persistent sexual arousal syndrome, is spontaneous, persistent, unwanted and uncontrollable genital arousal in the absence of sexual stimulation or sexual desire, and is typically not relieved by orgasm. Instead, multiple orgasms over hours or days may be required for relief.

Sexual dysfunction is difficulty experienced by an individual or partners during any stage of normal sexual activity, including physical pleasure, desire, preference, arousal, or orgasm. The World Health Organization defines sexual dysfunction as a "person's inability to participate in a sexual relationship as they would wish". This definition is broad and is subject to many interpretations. A diagnosis of sexual dysfunction under the DSM-5 requires a person to feel extreme distress and interpersonal strain for a minimum of six months. Sexual dysfunction can have a profound impact on an individual's perceived quality of sexual life. The term sexual disorder may not only refer to physical sexual dysfunction, but to paraphilias as well; this is sometimes termed disorder of sexual preference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epididymal hypertension</span> Condition that arises during male sexual arousal when seminal fluid is not ejaculated

Epididymal hypertension (EH), informally referred to as blue balls for men or blue vulva for women, is a harmless but uncomfortable sensation in the genital regions during a prolonged state of sexual arousal. It usually resolves within hours unless relieved through an orgasm.

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Edging, sometimes also referred to as gooning or surfing, is a sexual technique whereby an orgasm is controlled. It is practiced alone or with a partner and involves the maintenance of a high level of sexual arousal for an extended period without reaching climax. Orgasm control involves either sex partner being in control of the other partner's orgasm, or a person delaying their own orgasm during sexual activity with a partner or through masturbation. Any method of sexual stimulation can be used to experience controlled orgasm.

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Delayed ejaculation (DE) describes a man's inability or persistent difficulty in achieving orgasm, despite typical sexual desire and sexual stimulation. Generally, a man can reach orgasm within a few minutes of active thrusting during sexual intercourse, whereas a man with delayed ejaculation either does not have orgasms at all or cannot have an orgasm until after prolonged intercourse which might last for 30–45 minutes or more. Delayed ejaculation is closely related to anorgasmia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Non-penetrative sex</span> Sexual activity that usually excludes penetration

Non-penetrative sex or outercourse is sexual activity that usually does not include sexual penetration. It generally excludes the penetrative aspects of vaginal, anal, or oral sex, but includes various forms of sexual and non-sexual activity, such as frottage, manual sex, mutual masturbation, kissing, or cuddling. Some forms of non-penetrative sex, particularly when termed outercourse, include penetrative aspects, such as penetration that may result from forms of fingering or oral sex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masturbation</span> Sexual stimulation of ones own genitals

Masturbation is a form of autoeroticism in which a person sexually stimulates their own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve the use of hands, everyday objects, sex toys, or more rarely, the mouth. Masturbation may also be performed with a sex partner, either masturbating together or watching the other partner masturbate.

Human sexuality covers a broad range of topics, including the physiological, psychological, social, cultural, political, philosophical, ethical, moral, theological, legal and spiritual or religious aspects of sex and human sexual behavior.

Sexual slang is a set of linguistic terms and phrases used to refer to sexual organs, processes, and activities; they are generally considered colloquial rather than formal or medical, and some may be seen as impolite or improper.

Human sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves biological, psychological, physical, erotic, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors. Because it is a broad term, which has varied with historical contexts over time, it lacks a precise definition. The biological and physical aspects of sexuality largely concern the human reproductive functions, including the human sexual response cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artificial vagina</span> Device designed to imitate the female sex organs

An artificial vagina is a device designed to imitate the vagina as well as sometimes the vulva. To achieve this, it will generally be made of a soft material, lubricated, and occasionally heated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handjob</span> Manual stimulation of a penis by a sex partner

A handjob is a manual sex act involving a person stimulating the penis or scrotum of another by using the hand. This is done to induce an erection for sexual pleasure, sexual arousal and may result in orgasm and ejaculation.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human sexuality:

References

  1. 1 2 Jones, Alexandra (2018-10-25). "Is my vibrator stopping me enjoying sex?". BBC Three. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  2. 1 2 Scott, Ellen (2017-12-13). "Is dead vagina syndrome a real thing?". Metro. Archived from the original on 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  3. 1 2 Barrett-Ibarria, Sofia (22 March 2018). "Women Get 'Death Grip Syndrome' Too, and It Sucks". Vice. Archived from the original on 2018-04-02.
  4. POLONSKY, DEREK C. "The Sexual Challenges and Dilemmas of Young Single Men." Handbook of Clinical Sexuality for Mental Health Professionals (2011): 231. ISBN   9781135967499
  5. Flemons, Douglas, and Shelley Green. "Just between us: A relational approach to sex therapy." Quickies: The handbook of brief sex therapy (2004): 126-170. ISBN   9780393705270
  6. Pearl, Mike (2015-08-28). "Is It Really Possible to Ruin Your Penis From Jerking Off Too Hard?". Vice. Archived from the original on 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2019-11-16. The idea of too strong masturbation rewiring you to expect really strong feelings during sex? I just don't believe it's that common.
  7. Spitzer, Robert L.; Endicott, Jean; Micoulaud Franchi, Jean-Arthur (2018). "Medical and mental disorder: Proposed definition and criteria". Annales Médico-Psychologiques, Revue Psychiatrique. 176 (7): 656–665. doi:10.1016/j.amp.2018.07.004. S2CID   149968368.
  8. Ruuhilahti, Susanna. "Good Sex–Enhancing Wellbeing in Sexuality Education by Utilizing Stories." in Proceedings of 2012 NACS conference in Helsinki; page 135.
  9. Melnick, Alexandra S. "But What Does “It” Mean: An Analysis of Feminist & Mainstream Pornographies." (2016).