Severe nerve damage; coping with

So this might be the wrong place, and I apologize if it is. I have a friend with extensive nerve damage. He can't feel a thing on many parts of his body, like being cut on the hand. This mostly doesn't bug him much, except for one place. His genitals are completely numb, and feel nothing, not even pressure, even when attempting sex. He doesn't know how he'll ever have a sexual relationship and it's depressing him. Anyone have any suggestions or tips?

It's pretty much the permanent kind, so cause doesn't matter much. But, the possible causes are his super premature birth or more likely, a lactose intolerance that went undiagnosed for ages. Or maybe something else.

Regardless, I don't think it can be treated. There must be someone out there who has ways of coping with this!

Defolot:
Maybe you are posting with concerns about yourself under the pretense of a friend? No need to be shy here. This forum is a safe harbor to ask questions and seek insights from the personal experiences of others.

It would be important for your friend to work with a physician to have a baseline understanding of the sensory loss in order to see what may be available in terms of supportive treatment.

I will be honest. Lactose intolerance is not something that is generally associated with sensory loss or impairment. Premature birth would not normally be associated with fragmented or scattered sensory loss.

Has your friend had scattered sensory loss of recent onset or is tris pattern of sensory loss long-standing?

Poorly controlled blood glucose levels (type 1 or type 2 diabetes) would be a suspect in scattered sensory loss as you are describing. High blood glucose has the effect where the glucose seeps into surrounding soft tissue, impacting both sensory and motor nerve transmission. Diabetics with difficult to stabilize glucose levels are more likely to have sensory and motor nerve damage. The distal extremities (hands and feet) are first affected. Urogential sensation impairment is also an early causality. Erectile dysfunction in males is linked to diabetes that is difficult to regulate.

As far as intimacy, sexual intercourse is but one aspect. A solid relationship with a life partner is much deeper than sexual intercourse. A life partner will be open to finding ways to meet needs for intimacy that do not require the physical act of sex.

I encourage your friend to partner with a physician to better understand why he has sensory loss and to identify the type of sensory loss (ex small fiber vs large fiber nerve involvement; central nervous system or peripheral nervous system paresis).
Karen

I don't know much about nervous issues, I confess. That's sorta why I'm here. Thank you for the information.

I believe it is long-standing. I'm unsure.

And it's not erectile dysfunction. He um, can get it up if the mental part is there. He just has zero feeling in it whatsoever...

To quote him, "I didn't even know it was in until [they] started making noises..."

What kinds of treatments could be possible for him? I know it depends on the cause, but does he stand any chance of regaining nerve sensation?

I really appreciate your feedback! I tried anything I could think of to console him and your responses help a lot. ^^

Post Edited (Defolot) : 8/11/2017 8:23:25 PM (GMT-6)