Aa
faint vibrating/buzzing/spasm in penis
For the last week or so now I have had a very slight, high-frequency vibrating sensation in my penis (it feels like it is in my urethra, from about the base of the glans to the base of the penis). It feels like varying degrees of the following sensations:
- a cellphone vibrating in my pocket
- a stream of fluid flowing through the urethra (without the sensation of exiting the glans)
It is not usually constant, but is rhythmic, that is, will come and go in intervals... much like a pulse or breathing, but it does not coincide with either. The rhythm varies, sometimes 1 second on and 1 second off; sometimes a few seconds of vibrations and a few second of stillness, and sometimes the vibrations are more constant, with slight variances in intensity (though always low intensity). It is neither painful nor pleasurable but is annoying. It is not associated with any other symptoms whatsoever: no discharges or skin, urine, or semen discolorations; no changes in consistency of urine, semen, or stool; no direct decrease in sexual function, although I am concerned that my worrying about it will decrease my ability to perform. The sensation is so slight that it is not noticeable when I am occupied with other activities, but it consumes me when I am still.
STDs are unlikely, as both my wife and I have never had any sexual partners other than each other. I have experinced no trauma to my penis, groin, or other structures that I am aware of. I am 30 years old, with no history of medical issues at all... no UTI, STD, PNE, nothing.
Does anyone know what this could be?
- a cellphone vibrating in my pocket
- a stream of fluid flowing through the urethra (without the sensation of exiting the glans)
It is not usually constant, but is rhythmic, that is, will come and go in intervals... much like a pulse or breathing, but it does not coincide with either. The rhythm varies, sometimes 1 second on and 1 second off; sometimes a few seconds of vibrations and a few second of stillness, and sometimes the vibrations are more constant, with slight variances in intensity (though always low intensity). It is neither painful nor pleasurable but is annoying. It is not associated with any other symptoms whatsoever: no discharges or skin, urine, or semen discolorations; no changes in consistency of urine, semen, or stool; no direct decrease in sexual function, although I am concerned that my worrying about it will decrease my ability to perform. The sensation is so slight that it is not noticeable when I am occupied with other activities, but it consumes me when I am still.
STDs are unlikely, as both my wife and I have never had any sexual partners other than each other. I have experinced no trauma to my penis, groin, or other structures that I am aware of. I am 30 years old, with no history of medical issues at all... no UTI, STD, PNE, nothing.
Does anyone know what this could be?
This phenomenon just started happening to me a day ago. When it first started, I was sitting at my computer and kept looking down at my crotch and thinking "WTF?". I stood up and walked around, thinking it must be some circulation thing. The feeling is exactly as everyone else has described. A faint buzzing/vibrating in the upper half of my penis. Another way to describe it could be the flow of urine, but only in the top half of the penis. Yet another way I would describe it, is the same kind of feeling you have in your chest when your breathing is raspy from congestion, except in your penis! The sensation is rhythmic, at first I thought it was actually in time with my breathing, but holding my breath proved it is independent. I have actually timed it and usually the sensations are 5-7 seconds apart, with the sensation itself lasting from 1-2 seconds. It is not painful or pleasurable, just annoying and distracting if you are sitting quietly. I have also noticed it while driving.
Interestingly enough. I went to the gym tonight, and I noticed that while sitting in the steam room, the sensation went away. Afterwards I went swimming and didn't notice it because of the activity. When I was showering a while later I noticed it had come back. So perhaps somehow the heat of the sauna made it stop? The next time I go to the gym I will definitely take note if it stops again.
Interestingly enough. I went to the gym tonight, and I noticed that while sitting in the steam room, the sensation went away. Afterwards I went swimming and didn't notice it because of the activity. When I was showering a while later I noticed it had come back. So perhaps somehow the heat of the sauna made it stop? The next time I go to the gym I will definitely take note if it stops again.
Hello again.
Checking back in. Again, I am a physician who was confused about what the heck this all was. I have learned much since my last post and figured out what was wrong with me. As I mentioned last time, I think there are probably more than one diagnoses involved but here is my story and here is what I think the "differential diagnosis" is and what may or may not help. Bottom line, get checked out ASAP as this can represent nerve impingement or another problem which can worsen over time if not corrected. On the flip side, given the rarity of the problems/complaints, your physician may not immediately figure out what your problem is and that is why I am going to expand a bit further on what I found out for myself and what you should do if you are severe and not getting answers. When I last posted, I thought that I was suffering from pudendal nerve entrapment but it appears that I was predominately having a "Piriformis muscle syndrome" with some possible involvement of the pudendal nerve. While it appears that there is a range of how bad people on this board were feeling, I was in really bad shape on my last post with a vibration sensation deep in my buttox that was quite severe and was present every waking hour of the day. The vibration was much worse with sitting and although at first I could sleep through the night, it began to wake me up. I also felt some mild vibrations in my left buttox/thigh area. I was lucky in that I was able to get an MRI-neurography of the pelvis (newer technology) and it showed that my sciatic nerve was inflamed and likely being pinched by the Piriformis muscle at the level of the sciatic notch. This is all consistent with "Piriformis Muscle Syndrome" which is the following. There is a narrow hole in the pelvis bone through which the Sciatic nerve and the pudendal nerve go through along with the Piriformis muscle. If the muscle becomes tight for some reason (excessive jogging, poor posture, excessive sitting possibly, anatomical reasons, and more), then the muscle may pinch the nerve. A pinched nerve can feel like a "vibration" and thus this is what I was feeling. While not 100% clear, I think that I also had some involvement of my pudendal nerve which would be responsible for more of the perianal and vibrations in the penis. Piriformis syndrome, however, is just one possibility. Another possibility is to have infammation to the pudendal nerve alone or in combination. I originally thought I had just the pudendal nerve but now I realize otherwise. Anyhow, the classic cause of Pudendal nerve compression would be excessive bicycle riding, excessive sitting, anatomical. The pudendal nerve goes to the penis/clitoris/rectum so "vibrations" or similar sensations in that area might be the pudendal nerve. I guess it is possible to have impingement of the lumbo-sacral tree which is another bundle of nerves in the buttox area. Another possibility, I guess, would be to have something higher up like the spine and impingement on nerves in that area. So, I think nerve impingement would be very high on the differential diagnosis with Pudendal nerve, Piriformis syndrome (sciatic +/- pudendal involement), lumbo-sacral, possibly spinal being possible. Most physicians will be very aware of the SPINE but not necessarily of pudendal or Piriformis and this is where you may lose the capacity to get a diagnosis from your physician. In addition to nerve, I think that prostatitis and similar diagnoses can cause some of these symptoms so that is another big one to consider and some of this blog have considered and been diagnosed with that. On the flip side, I think a few people (including myself) might initially get diagnosed with prostatitis incorrectly but turn out to have a nerve issue. So, what to do about all of this. Interestingly, a lot of the remedies on this post are consistent with things that can be done. I am only starting to improve VERY SLOWLY and not completely fixed yet so to be continued but this is what I would advise:
1) Again, first seek individual physician diagnosis and help if possible
2) IF you have a Piriformis syndrome, you need to stop doing things that pinch the nerve (avoid sitting, jogging, etc...) and begin physical therapy to stretch the muscle. Other options include steroid injection into the muscle. If you are diagnosed with this or concerned this is you, can search the internet and will find a ton of stuff
3) If you have pudendal nerve, again, stop inciting activity (bicycle riding, excessive sitting (ie., avoid or get a cushion as suggested above). Again, search internet for pudendal nerve and learn more
4) LS spine issues - I tend to think that LS spine issue would be more likely to present with pain (at least that is what I see where I practice) but given what I have learned I guess this could happen with vibrations too. To make this diagnosis, need to be with your physician - would rule out lower nerve stuff first with vibratory complaints in the buttox area
5) Prostatitis - +/- anbx, anti-inflammatories, sitting on cushion. urologist is the specialist who can help here. Be careful of misdiagnosis particularly if you do not have an infection and if therapy not working
6) a couple other things out there as well depending on your total picture
Again, just my 2 cents. I have learned a lot out of necessity to help myself and now realize a whole new set of diagnoses that I can bring back to help some of my patients as well. Bottom line, however, is that while some people have mild complaints and not a big deal, others can be severe (like mine). I waited 6 weeks before seeking help and I think I waited too long and lead to some damage to the nerve. Anyhow, I am doing better with some stretches for the Piriformis muscle and better posture but the road is long and I am not fixed yet.
Hope this can help someone - good luck
Checking back in. Again, I am a physician who was confused about what the heck this all was. I have learned much since my last post and figured out what was wrong with me. As I mentioned last time, I think there are probably more than one diagnoses involved but here is my story and here is what I think the "differential diagnosis" is and what may or may not help. Bottom line, get checked out ASAP as this can represent nerve impingement or another problem which can worsen over time if not corrected. On the flip side, given the rarity of the problems/complaints, your physician may not immediately figure out what your problem is and that is why I am going to expand a bit further on what I found out for myself and what you should do if you are severe and not getting answers. When I last posted, I thought that I was suffering from pudendal nerve entrapment but it appears that I was predominately having a "Piriformis muscle syndrome" with some possible involvement of the pudendal nerve. While it appears that there is a range of how bad people on this board were feeling, I was in really bad shape on my last post with a vibration sensation deep in my buttox that was quite severe and was present every waking hour of the day. The vibration was much worse with sitting and although at first I could sleep through the night, it began to wake me up. I also felt some mild vibrations in my left buttox/thigh area. I was lucky in that I was able to get an MRI-neurography of the pelvis (newer technology) and it showed that my sciatic nerve was inflamed and likely being pinched by the Piriformis muscle at the level of the sciatic notch. This is all consistent with "Piriformis Muscle Syndrome" which is the following. There is a narrow hole in the pelvis bone through which the Sciatic nerve and the pudendal nerve go through along with the Piriformis muscle. If the muscle becomes tight for some reason (excessive jogging, poor posture, excessive sitting possibly, anatomical reasons, and more), then the muscle may pinch the nerve. A pinched nerve can feel like a "vibration" and thus this is what I was feeling. While not 100% clear, I think that I also had some involvement of my pudendal nerve which would be responsible for more of the perianal and vibrations in the penis. Piriformis syndrome, however, is just one possibility. Another possibility is to have infammation to the pudendal nerve alone or in combination. I originally thought I had just the pudendal nerve but now I realize otherwise. Anyhow, the classic cause of Pudendal nerve compression would be excessive bicycle riding, excessive sitting, anatomical. The pudendal nerve goes to the penis/clitoris/rectum so "vibrations" or similar sensations in that area might be the pudendal nerve. I guess it is possible to have impingement of the lumbo-sacral tree which is another bundle of nerves in the buttox area. Another possibility, I guess, would be to have something higher up like the spine and impingement on nerves in that area. So, I think nerve impingement would be very high on the differential diagnosis with Pudendal nerve, Piriformis syndrome (sciatic +/- pudendal involement), lumbo-sacral, possibly spinal being possible. Most physicians will be very aware of the SPINE but not necessarily of pudendal or Piriformis and this is where you may lose the capacity to get a diagnosis from your physician. In addition to nerve, I think that prostatitis and similar diagnoses can cause some of these symptoms so that is another big one to consider and some of this blog have considered and been diagnosed with that. On the flip side, I think a few people (including myself) might initially get diagnosed with prostatitis incorrectly but turn out to have a nerve issue. So, what to do about all of this. Interestingly, a lot of the remedies on this post are consistent with things that can be done. I am only starting to improve VERY SLOWLY and not completely fixed yet so to be continued but this is what I would advise:
1) Again, first seek individual physician diagnosis and help if possible
2) IF you have a Piriformis syndrome, you need to stop doing things that pinch the nerve (avoid sitting, jogging, etc...) and begin physical therapy to stretch the muscle. Other options include steroid injection into the muscle. If you are diagnosed with this or concerned this is you, can search the internet and will find a ton of stuff
3) If you have pudendal nerve, again, stop inciting activity (bicycle riding, excessive sitting (ie., avoid or get a cushion as suggested above). Again, search internet for pudendal nerve and learn more
4) LS spine issues - I tend to think that LS spine issue would be more likely to present with pain (at least that is what I see where I practice) but given what I have learned I guess this could happen with vibrations too. To make this diagnosis, need to be with your physician - would rule out lower nerve stuff first with vibratory complaints in the buttox area
5) Prostatitis - +/- anbx, anti-inflammatories, sitting on cushion. urologist is the specialist who can help here. Be careful of misdiagnosis particularly if you do not have an infection and if therapy not working
6) a couple other things out there as well depending on your total picture
Again, just my 2 cents. I have learned a lot out of necessity to help myself and now realize a whole new set of diagnoses that I can bring back to help some of my patients as well. Bottom line, however, is that while some people have mild complaints and not a big deal, others can be severe (like mine). I waited 6 weeks before seeking help and I think I waited too long and lead to some damage to the nerve. Anyhow, I am doing better with some stretches for the Piriformis muscle and better posture but the road is long and I am not fixed yet.
Hope this can help someone - good luck
Too many people are having this problem, tell me something, do you guys exercise or do weight lifting often? Because I only started getting this problem when I stopped exercising for the past 6 months.
3/10/12-Still curious also. Just started having this problem and was wondering if you have found out anything.
So I thought I was trippin, my penis could not be vibrating? But lo and behold all you guys confirmed my issue. I have been with one woman for over five years and when I was sleeping with many women this **** was not happening. I am now 41 years old and this sensation has been occurring for several weeks now and I am glad I looked up this forum. I have a slightly bulging disc which is from arthritis in my lower back and I work out regularly and love to lift weights. I drink maybe two beers a night but not excessively but do not like baths, but I will be taking them more often and maybe get a heating pad. I don't have health insurance at the moment so until I get it back I will have to try these methods and opefully they work. Thanks again.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Men's Health Community
Top Men's Health Answerers
London, United Kingdom
Indore, India
Southwest , MI
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Get the facts about this disease that affects more than 240,000 men each year.
