If you feel tingling, numb, or unable to climax… We’re here to assist you in determining your next steps.
There Is Tingling Numbness As Well As A Loss Of Sensation Numbness
A tingling numbness is similar to the “pins-and-needles” sensation you can experience when your arm or leg “sleeps.”
This type of prickly, tingling feeling is nearly typically caused by a nerve. Some people experience it during arousal or after engaging in strenuous sexual activity.
If you don’t feel anything during sexual activity, something more severe may be going on that requires medical attention.
Temporary Numbness Is Usually Not A Reason For Worry
When it happens after sex, it’s usually due to overstimulation of your genital nerves or hypersensitivity.
“Some individuals are quite sensitive after sex and don’t want any additional contact,” Cardaci explains.
Post-sex numbness usually feels more like tingling, although it might feel different for everyone, according to Cardaci.
“This [sensitivity] can cause numbness in some people, which can be upsetting when your partner wants to continue even if you aren’t capable of feeling anything.”
The good news is that any no feeling in vagina you have after intercourse is generally brief and will go away with rest.
Let’s Be Clear About Something: It’s Not Your Sex Toy
Contrary to any alarming beliefs you may have heard, using a sex toy will not “destroy” your vagina.
However, sex toy stimulation might induce transient numbness following orgasm.
“Some sex devices, particularly vibrators set to a stronger or ‘higher’ vibration level, can create numbness even before orgasm, making climax impossible,” Cardaci warns.
“This does not produce long-term damage,” she says again. Simply turn it down and have some fun.”
It Is Frequently Associated With Underlying Stress And Hormonal Changes
Menopause’s hormonal changes can induce vaginal numbness or diminished feeling.
Stress can sometimes induce numbness, especially if it is chronic.
“Sexual function is largely reliant on what is going on cognitively and unconsciously, as well as what is going on physiologically,” Ritter adds.
According to one 2014 study, greater levels of chronic stress in vulva-having people were associated with reduced levels of genital sexual desire.
This was most likely due to a combination of stress-related mental distractions and elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
It Might Be A Vaginal Birth Complication
Giving birth can put a strain on, stretch, or even damage the pelvic floor nerves. This is especially prevalent if you had a big baby.
“Any time a nerve or the vessel bringing blood to the region is severed, there might be a lack of feeling,” Cardaci notes.
This will affect how sex feels, and for some people, this will appear as tingling or numbness.
“The nerves repair and the blood flow improves. This normally takes up to three months, although it can take longer in bigger regions.”
It Might Be Linked To Trauma
Numbness during sexual activity may occur if you have undergone sexual assault or other trauma.
This might be a result of a physical injury or a psychological reaction to what happened, causing you to be scared or concerned about having sex.
If you have a history of violence or trauma, you should speak with a doctor so that you may obtain the care you require.
If You Have Other Symptoms, It Might Be Due To An Underlying Disease
There are a few more possibilities if you have other symptoms or your vaginal numbness persists.
A herniated disc or, in certain situations, a tumor crushing the nerves in that area of the body are examples of this.
Other symptoms, such as difficulties walking or problems with urine or bowel motions, would very certainly be present in each of those instances.
According to Gaither, it might potentially be linked to autoimmune disorders like lupus or a herpetic epidemic.
If you have herpes, you will most likely experience discomfort, itching, or sores.
However, numbness is more typically felt in your fingers, toes, hands, and feet, so you’re unlikely to solely have numbness in your vaginal area.
Numbness can also be caused by multiple sclerosis, obesity, and drug abuse, according to Ritter.
It can also be caused by cauda equina syndrome, which she adds “needs rapid therapy and should be handled swiftly” in some rare but dangerous instances.
“This condition affects lower spinal cord nerves and is a surgical emergency,” she explains.
In addition to vaginal numbness, you may encounter a combination of the following symptoms:
- back discomfort:
- buttocks pain
- leg weakness
- thigh numbness
- problems with bladder or bowel movements