Death grip syndrome is real — but women can suffer with it too

If you’ve heard of Death Grip Syndrome before, you’ve likely assumed it only affects men.

It’s a slang term typically used to describe the phenomenon of desensitising the penis by gripping it too hard when masturbating.

Ouch.

But you’d be wrong.

It can affect women too, as we discovered when one man took to social media complaining he couldn’t make his girlfriend climax.

‘While we have a decently active sex life, I struggle to make her finish or even come close,’ 20-year-old Dylan* says.

‘She cannot get herself off by touching herself… and me even less.

Fingering inside feels good for her for about a minute or so, then she loses the feeling.’
But there is one thing that works.

‘She was able to climax by just squeezing her thighs together,’ he adds on Reddit.

His girlfriend can orgasm simply from the pressure of pressing her legs together tightly, and now that’s the only way she can experience pleasure.

Dylan then questions if it’s ‘female Death Grip Syndrome’ so we asked a doctor to shed some light on the topic…

Can women get Death Grip Syndrome?

‘There isn’t a formal medical term for this in women, but the pattern itself is something we do see,’ Dr Sima Al Asad, who focuses on women’s intimate health and cosmetic gynaecology, tells Metro.

‘Over time, the body can get used to a certain type of stimulation, especially if it’s repeated in the same way.

That can make other types of touch feel less effective by comparison.’

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It’s actually not uncommon, rather it’s something that forms gradually if you are masturbating the same way every time – just like it happens for men.

‘If someone is used to a very specific level of pressure, position or type of stimulation, the body adapts to that,’ she adds.

‘The more consistent it is, the more the body starts to expect that same feeling.’
It’s not that there’s anything physically wrong with you, it’s more about the body becoming conditioned.

What are the symptoms?

In women, DGS is fairly difficult to spot, largely because Dr Al Asad says many women assume less sensitivity in their genitals is something that’s just personal to them, rather than recognising the pattern.

‘One of the main signs is finding it difficult to respond to different types of stimulation,’ she explains.

‘Some women might notice that they can only reach orgasm in one specific way, or that other types of touch don’t feel as effective as they used to.

It can also feel like it takes longer, or requires more effort than before.’
This can make intimacy feel quite frustrating for women, according to the expert, who adds that this aversion to different masturbation methods can ‘lead to confusion or a sense something isn’t quite right’.

This could result in anorgasmia, as Dr Lawrence Cunningham previously told Metro, when detailing the impact of DGS for men.

It’s a condition where you experience delayed, infrequent or absent orgasms — in other words, it’s a form of sexual dysfunction.

In rarer cases, you can lose sensitivity in the clitoris, although this is explainable due to your clitoris being conditioned to more pressure, so a lighter touch doesn’t register.

It’s worth noting that Death Grip Syndrome isn’t the only reason you could experience issues like these, so it’s worth going to your GP.

‘There are other things that can affect sensitivity and response, including hormonal changes, stress, or conditions that cause discomfort or pain,’ Dr Al Asad adds.

‘Often, it’s not just one factor, it’s a combination of physical and emotional elements that all play a role.’

Is it reversible?

If you think this applies to you, you shouldn’t worry because both Dr Cunningham and Dr Al Asad agree DGS is usually reversible.

Dr Cunningham suggested: ‘Start with a change in masturbation habits; using a gentler touch and exploring different types of stimulation.

‘Incorporating more mindful and varied sexual practices can also help.

In some cases, professional counselling or sex therapy can provide additional support and strategies to regain sensitivity and sexual satisfaction.’
But Dr Al Asad points out: ‘There’s no ‘normal’ or ‘correct’ way for someone to experience pleasure.

Where this becomes relevant is when it starts to impact confidence or intimacy.

‘Once women understand what’s happening, it often takes away a lot of the worry and pressure around it.’
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.