Wife experiencing little/no pleasurable physical sensation
My wife (30F, smoker) has been experiencing a lack of physical sensation for many years now. She says it started when she felt like a nerve "snap" in her clitoral area and that she can no longer get aroused or feel gentle nonsexual caresses/touches sensations "properly" all over her body. She was told by a gynecologist that there was nothing they could do at 21, and she's been defeated ever since. 2 years ago she was itching and ended up pulling a long, thick hair out her clitoris. It appeared to be bleached, indicating it may have been there for a long time and altered by the PH of that area. She mentioned this to an OB/GYN and they did an examination, but nothing came of it.
I'm looking for some insight on what the general issue may be, so we can at least research it and figure out what can be done to assist. I'm worried it's neurological or nerve-related. Any insight would be insanely helpful, and if anyone needs more information, I'll be glad to provide it.
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@boysenbari: I'm glad you found Mayo Clinic Connect to inquire about this as it's understandably a delicate topic for discussion. Am I understanding correctly that she had experienced full sensation until she experienced this issue with the hair approximately 9 years ago? There actually are situations wherein hair can become wrapped around the tissues in the internal female genital area; the clitoris especially has a high blood supply which can be cut off if the hair had been wrapped tightly. There are specialists who can perform more extensive testing to assess for any possible nerve damage that may have occurred as a result of this. Another contributing factor may be nicotene use. Curtailing or ceasing such use can have a very beneficial effect on overall health in general, including sexual health. as explained here: https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/what-are-smokings-effects-sex.
Can you look for or request a referral to a urogynegololgist or a vulvovaginal disease specialist in or near your area?
@grammato3 Thank you for your response. She did gave full sensation, yes, and first experienced the 'snapping' sensation around 18, and then pulled the hair out about 2 years ago. So, it's possible there could be additional hairs in there, if anything. I'll look into the specialists you suggested and see if they can assist in any way. Thank you so much!
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1 ReactionI have pudendal nerve entrapment which can affect that area. My pain isnt in that area but internal and I have been sitting on ice packs for six years. All they can do for me is pain medication. Check with a neurologist about this as you have to be tested for it. I hope maybe this helps some.
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1 ReactionVery sorry about what your spouse and partner and you of course, both of you trying so hard to make sense of such an intimate anomaly. What a departure for both of you and your expectations. Your loving dedication to finding her relief is stalwart. May you both find clarity, acceptance and joy at the completion of the journey you are on together.
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1 Reaction@boysenbari: You're quite welcome. While there may or may not be anything additional causing this situation, the urogynecologist, pelvic pain specialists or sexual medicine specialists such as they type I mentioned above can definitely look into not only the underlying cause but the various treatment modalities. that can range from pelvic floor exercises under the direction of a specially trained physical therapist to nerve pain management or even surgical correction. There's even a non surgical approach if nerve entrapment is ruled out that has been found to be succesful for many women to assist with their arousal levels that uses ultrasound externally above the pubic area: https://www.cliovana.com/. So there's many types of interventions worth exploring. You're definitely taking the right step to inquire about this and seek treatment. Please keep the communication open to let me - and others who may not be as forthright in sharing - how you and your wife find the treatment that will ideally bring resolution.