penile/scrotal numbness and scrotal tingling

Burlingtondave · Newbie Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 5

For several years now I have noticed on rare occasions that my penis was falling asleep in seated positions, such as when driving or riding on trains. I thought this was a circulation issue. I would shift position and sensation would return, though not in the pins and needles way that is typical in your hands and feet when it happens. It would just sort of come back.

Recently, however, I had some serious back trouble and was diagnosed with a protruding L4/5 disc causing significant impingement of my thecal sac. It also seemed to me that during this time that my penis and now scrotum also were falling asleep in seated positions with greater regularity. This symptom, coupled with the growing numbness in my legs and accompanying neuralgia, had my neurologist scheduling me for immediate surgery. In the days before surgery I was beginning to notice a slight, spontaneous tingling in the underside of my scrotum which would come and go like goosebumps. I was noticing this in any position, though at this point I was spending 90% of my day flat on my back.

I have had back trouble all my life and I sort of told myself that the penile numbness I was feeling was related to this disc herniation which seemed to me had been developing for years. Now, while I have not experienced the penile and scrotal numbness since my surgery (though I haven't spent any appreciable amount of time seated), the tingling in my scrotum has returned after two days of not feeling it at all. Again, I spend most of my day on my back and am wondering if I'm putting pressure on those nerves, or if it's even neurologically related at all. I hate to think I've gone through this traumatic surgery for no reason.

So, anyone know what the root causes of penile and scrotal numbing in seated positions are, and what is indicated by mild tingling on the underside of the scrotum?

Thanks,
Dave From Burlington

Mick · Supporter Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 310

Hi! Have you been thinking about visiting a urologist instead of neurologist?
This may have nothing to do with your back problems.

How old are you? My father suffers from chronic prostatitis and he gets those tingling sensations in his testicles. Before he was diagnosed with prostatitis, he was tested for STD’s, which we all laughed about since he is asocial person and spends most of his time at home with my mom and we used to make fun of him but the doc insisted on checking up on STD’s, so you may consider this as well. Have you undergone any risky sexual activity before your tingling sensations started?

A urologist may want to check your urine or prostatic secretions in order to determine possible infections. He may also want to do a scrotal examination to check for anatomical abnormalities and see if maybe epididymitis had developed.

Burlingtondave · Newbie Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 5

I'm 34. I had a bout of prostatits when I was 16. I had noticed small blood stains in my tighty whiteys and nearly passed out with anxiety. After a gamut of humiliating questions and tests, my MD determined my prostate was congested due to inactivity. His diagnosis/advice was this: "David, your body is ready to do things that you're just not doing yet. All I can tell is jerk off more." You can believe that I did.

Naturally, during this back injury, my sexual activity has crawled to halt. I've been monogamous with my wife for well over nine years now so an STD is competely out of the question. In fact, this tingling comes on the heels of sexual inactivity. Since doing some more research I've begun thinking this could be related to prostatitis, so, remembering my MD's advice of 20 years ago, I've tried to have as many orgasms as possible in my debilitated, medicated state -- orgasm isn't so easy with a post-surgical back injury and opiates, but I've managed three in the last two days. Still tingling. Pretty regularly. My neurologist recommends that I wait it out a little longer to see if it rights itself, but when I'm referred back to my MD for PT, you better believe I'll be asking to see a urologist if it doesn't go away. It's not something that's affecting my quality of life (yet). It's just persistent and freaking me out.

Thanks,
d.

penile/scrotal numbness and scrotal tingling

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