Men are being cautioned about what’s known as ‘Death Grip Syndrome’—a condition that could lead to serious issues in the bedroom.

While it might sound like a myth, the phenomenon is actually quite real, even if it doesn’t have an official medical name. For now, it’s commonly referred to as Death Grip Syndrome (DGS).

And let’s be clear—there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of solo time. Masturbation is totally normal. But guys might want to ease up a bit when they do, rather than gripping too tightly.

Getting too intense during those private moments could negatively affect your sexual health. According to one doctor, many men aren’t even aware of the potential harm they might be doing to themselves.

The term of DGS seems to have been around since at least the early noughties, referring to men holding their penises too hard while they have a wank.

Dr. Cunningham from UK Care Guide told Metro that this phenomenon “can lead to decreased sensitivity and difficulty achieving orgasm through other forms of sexual activity.”

Let’s be honest—it’d be pretty awkward if you couldn’t finish during sex because you’ve been gripping yourself too tightly.

While the embarrassment is certainly a notable consequence, Dr. Cunningham reassures that Death Grip Syndrome doesn’t actually cause any physical harm to the penis.

Instead of leading to a physical injury, the issues tend to arise in the bedroom.

“The persistent use of a tight grip can condition the nerves and tissues to respond only to this specific form of stimulation,” Dr. Cunningham explained.

“This can make it challenging to experience pleasure and achieve orgasm through more typical forms of sexual activity.”

As a result, you might find yourself only able to climax with an unusually firm grip, which could eventually lower the level of sexual satisfaction you experience with a partner.

It has been suggested that DGS may contribute not only to reduced pleasure but also to some discomfort or pain, as well as anorgasmia.

Anorgasmia refers to a sexual dysfunction where orgasms are absent, delayed, infrequent, or lack intensity, even when arousal is present.

This condition can cause significant distress and impact a person’s sexual relationships.

However, Dr. Cunningham explains that while years of “consistent, tight-grip masturbation” don’t typically result in complete anorgasmia, they can lead to issues like delayed ejaculation or diminished pleasure.

He notes that DGS is “common enough” that health professionals encounter it regularly, though many men are unaware it may be the underlying cause of their sexual difficulties.

To address symptoms associated with this so-called “death grip,” Dr. Cunningham recommends adjusting habits—such as using a gentler touch and experimenting with different forms of stimulation.

In more persistent cases, he suggests that seeking professional counseling or sex therapy can offer further guidance and effective strategies to help restore sensitivity and sexual satisfaction.

Experts explain many of us have ‘destructive habit’ that is an instant bedroom turn-off

It’s not the best trait to have in a relationship but there are ways to overcome it

Maybe you bite your nails, tend to run late, or happen to be a regular vaper—whatever the case, we all have our habits.

But there’s one in particular that you might not realize is actually quite ‘destructive’. And according to an expert, it’s also an immediate turn-off in the bedroom.

Nadia Bodoky points out that this is a common habit many people have—and she even admits to being guilty of it herself.

An expert on relationships has labeled the phenomenon as ‘Sexual Comparison Mode’ or SCM — a mindset where individuals compare themselves to their partner’s ex or someone they’ve previously been intimate with.

Writing for news.com.au, an Australian author shared her personal experience of slipping into SCM during a romantic getaway with her girlfriend, admitting she couldn’t help but bring up her partner’s past flame.

“I’d unknowingly entered Sexual Comparison Mode (SCM), a toxic habit many of us fall into, where we measure ourselves against our partner’s previous lovers,” she wrote.

“It stems from insecurity and a deep, though slightly self-centered, desire to be the best — to feel confident that, in the realm of intimacy, we top the list.”

She also referenced an Elite Singles survey that found approximately 30 percent of women and 21 percent of men have compared their current partner’s sexual performance to that of a previous one.

Nadia also spoke with psychosexual therapist Christopher Brett-Renes, who cautioned against the risks of comparing oneself to a partner’s former lovers.

“Falling into comparison mode won’t ignite passion with your partner,” he explained. “In fact, it’s more likely to create distance or lead to conflict.”

He also emphasized the potential harm in probing a partner about their ex’s performance in bed.
“People tend to forget that an ex is an ex for a reason — what their sex life was like doesn’t matter,” he said. “Don’t let insecurity sabotage your relationship — your partner chose to be with you.”

Nadia went on to point out that while comparing ourselves to others is a fairly common instinct, as long as sexual comparison doesn’t become the focal point of your relationship, it’s something you can move past.

“Even the most confident among us can have an insecure moment during a rough patch,” she added.

Expert reveals common takeaway item that’s most likely to trigger bedroom problems for men

Sorry to ruin any Bank Holidays, but a much-loved dish is among the most likely to cause erectile dysfunction in men

There’s a popular takeaway favorite that might be doing more harm than good — and surprisingly, the impact could be showing up in the bedroom.

Brace yourselves, gents. This isn’t the kind of news you want to hear, especially on a Bank Holiday Monday — so maybe hit pause on that takeaway order.

According to research by urologists at the University of South China, a certain type of food could lead to a range of health problems if consumed carelessly.

A study published in Translational Andrology and Urology examined the impact of diet and smoking habits on approximately 400 men, some with and some without erectile dysfunction (ED).

Participants completed a questionnaire covering their diets, lifestyle choices, and ED status. Additional tests explored how ED affected their relationships, overall health, and mental well-being.

The findings revealed that consuming spicy foods more than three times per week was linked to a 2.58 times higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction—specifically among non-smokers. Interestingly, this association was not observed in smokers, likely because smoking is already a known risk factor for ED.

In light of these results, it might be wise to reconsider frequent indulgences in spicy dishes like chicken tikka masala.

The researchers noted: “Our study suggests that frequent consumption of spicy food may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, particularly among non-smokers. The more often spicy food was consumed, the more severe the erectile dysfunction appeared to be. Dietary adjustments may be necessary for men with ED to account for the impact of spicy foods.”

Erectile dysfunction is believed to affect around half of men between the ages of 40 and 70, with contributing factors including age, smoking, nerve damage, and health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

While the precise amount of spicy food that could have a negative effect remains unclear, the study found that higher consumption was associated with lower testosterone levels. In fact, men who ate spicy food daily had testosterone levels that were 12% lower than those who did not consume spicy food at all.

Additionally, the data showed a link between frequent spicy food intake and increased risk of marital difficulties, as reported by participants in their questionnaires.

According to the study, the more spicy food a person consumes, the more likely they are to have arguments with loved ones. (Getty Stock Photo)
Researchers suggested that men who frequently eat spicy food may be more prone to irritability, stating: “They frequently tend to form an irritable character, which is prone to quarrels and disharmonious family relations.”

Professor Raj Persad, a consultant urologist at Bristol Urology, commented on the study’s findings, calling it “an interesting observational study.” He noted that various explanations could account for the results. “One may be that those who eat more spicy food may have more of a tendency to diabetes or high BMI—both of which could be implicated in erectile dysfunction,” he explained.

He added that the study may highlight an important principle in managing erectile dysfunction: “Not only should doctors consider medications to improve erectile function, but they should also investigate and address harmful influences such as cigarette smoking—and perhaps now, high levels of spicy toxins in the circulation.”