Is Masturbation Ruining Your Sex Life? Let’s Talk Death-Grip Syndrome

Behind this dramatic sounding name hides a fairly common masturbation technique. It’s nothing to worry about, but it can sometimes have an effect on your sex life. Luckily, you’re not the only one, and it’s a fairly easy problem to fix.

Let’s have a look at what it’s all about…

Let’s be honest, Death-Grip Syndrome isn’t the most romantic sounding term. In reality, all it describes is a masturbation technique that requires lots of pressure and fast movements.

Over time, the body gets used to this intense stimulation. As a result, sensations during sex may feel weaker and less satisfying in comparison.

It’s not that you have a problem with desire, nor with your partner. It’s just that your body is used to a very specific type of stimulation.

It’s actually more common than you might think, and it tends to happen to people who:

• Masturbate very often
• Always masturbate in the same way
• Are fairly ‘energetic’ during their solo sessions
  

Basically, your hand is too efficient.​

It’s pretty easy to figure out. You’ve got no problem finishing when you’re alone, but it becomes much more difficult during sex.

Here are a few other things to look out for:

• You feel less during penetration than you do during masturbation
• It takes you a long time to finish with a partner
• You feel like the only thing that can get you off is your masturbation routine

In some cases, certain people even have to reproduce the exact movements and put the same amount of pressure in order to reach orgasm.

If you recognise some of these issues in your sex life, no need to panic, your body is simply used to a certain form of stimulation.

First of all, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with masturbation. On the contrary, it makes up part of a healthy sex life.

It can, however, be considered a problem when your body becomes used to a more intense form of stimulation than can be achieved through sex.

With very strong pressure applied repeatedly, your penis may temporarily become less sensitive. The sensations you may experience through penetration or oral sex might seem less intense, maybe even lacklustre.

This might cause:

• Sex that goes on for way too long
• Difficulty reaching orgasm
• Frustration for both partners 
  

The good news is that it’s often a temporary phenomenon.

A few simple adjustments and you’ll be out of death’s grip in no time.

First things first: stop putting so much pressure into your movements when you’re masturbating. Release your grip a little and slow things down.

You can also try:

• Taking a little break from solo pleasure
  
• Varying rhythms and sensations
  
• Taking your time when masturbating
  

The goal is to reacquaint your body with stimulation similar to that of sex. Most of the time, sensations will come back gradually.

If you’ve gotten used to stimulating yourself in a very specific way with your hand, then sex toys can be a great way to switch things up.

Male masturbators, for example, offer more enveloping, less ‘compressing’ forms of pleasure. This brings you closer to a real sexual encounter.

Water-based lube can also make a huge difference. It reduces friction and encourages more natural movement.

Some vibrating or interactive sex toys will allow you to explore different sensations, so you’re not doing the same thing every time.

Death-Grip Syndrome is more common than you might think. A lot of men go through this without really understanding what’s happening. The good news is that it’s not permanent, it’s simply a case of unlearning certain behaviours.

By making slight changes to the way you masturbate and experimenting with different sensations, it is entirely possible to gradually rediscover a more natural sense of pleasure during sex. With a little patience and curiosity, the body often adapts much more quickly than you might think.