Whether you call it penis, cock, dick, pecker, tool, member, schlong or manhood, the male reproductive organ is as important as any other part of a man’s body. But since it plays a very important role in sexual functions, it is easily one of the most treasured organs among guys.
Apart from its important role in biological functions, the penis can also be a source of pride to the hung and a woe for the not-so-gifted. Unfortunately, many men only know these common facts about their private parts and nothing more. Below are some interesting information about the penis that most men are clueless about.
Average guy
The length of their penis has always been a major concern among a lot of men. If you measure around 5 inches when erect and 3.5 inches when flaccid, you should not be bothered. That is the
average length of penis in the U.S.
A study from 1996, which measured 80 men’s erect and flaccid penises, suggested that a man should only consider lengthening procedures if his penis measure less than 1.5 inches when limp or less than 3 inches when erect.
The love muscle needs exercise
Men should have erections regularly to keep their penis in great shape. Otherwise, the organ may be prone to “shrinkage.” The penis is made of of smooth muscles that must be periodically supplied with oxygen-rich blood. The rush of blood that engorges the organ during erection is necesseary to keep it healthy and prevent penile tissues from losing elasticity. Without regular erections, the penis can shrink 1-2 centimeters shorter.
‘Grower’ or ‘Show-er’
According to studies, there is no consistent relationship between the size of the flaccid penis and its full erect length. This simply means that you can’t judge a guy by his limp member. A dude with a big, flaccid penis may not get much bigger with an erection while another guy’s puny, limp member might get surprisingly enormous when aroused. A penis that doesn’t gain much length with an erection has become known as a “show-er” while a penis that gains a lot is referred to as a “grower.”
The results of a study conducted by controversial sex researcher Alfred Kinsey shows that shorter flaccid penises tend to gain about twice as much length as longer flaccid penises.
Pleasure zones
The part of the penis that is most sensitive to sexual pleasure vary from man to man. However, a study published in the British Journal of Urology International in 2009 revealed that a significant majority of men gave the underside of the glans and underside of the shaft the highest sensitivity rating. The upper side of the glans, left and right sides of the glans, sides of the penis, upper side of the shaft, and foreskin (for the minority of men who were uncircumcised) also rated high in sensitivity.
Penis loses sensitivity with age
Losing sensitivity in the penis is a scary thought. Unfortunately, it is a fact that every man has to face as he gets older. Different studies on penile sensitivity came up with similar conclusions: the penis steadily loses sensitivity as men grow older. According to data from these studies, penile sensitivity starts to decline from age 25 onwards, with the sharpest decline in sensitivity seen between age 65 and 75. Interestingly, most men are not even aware that their man parts are losing sensitivity. What bother them more are the difficulty in having erections and achieving ejaculation as they age.
The fractured penis is not a myth
The penis is a fragile organ and you can break it if you are not careful. A fractured penis is a rare occurence which is usually associated with men engaging in stressful sexual activities. In a study about men who had experienced penile fractures, most of the respondents were having extra-marital affairs at the time and engaged in sex in an unusual place, like a car, at work, or in an elevator. These fractures are very serious and requires a trip to the ER, not to mention very painful.
A community lives in your penis
The penis is a veritable habitat to a diverse community of bacteria and other microorganisms. One study reveal that there were a total of 42 unique kinds of bacteria inhabiting the skin of the penis. Interestingly, more anaerobic bacteria were found on uncircumcised penises. This type of bacteria do not require oxygen to survive and thrive in the mucous membrane on the inner fold of the foreskin. Circumcision eliminates breeding grounds for this type of microorganisms.
Cleaning the family jewels
With a host of microorganisms calling your crotch home and layers of clothing encouraging perspiration, it is no surprise the area can reek with horrendous stench. Sweat generally has no scent but once microbes feed on it and eventually excrete it out, body odor begins.
Keeping your penis clean can be as simple as washing it with warm water and soap. An anti-microbial man parts hygiene product can be applied to get rid of odor-causing microorganisms that soap was not able to wash off. Also make sure that the penis and the general area of the crotch is completely dry before dressing up. Only wear freshly laundered clothes and undergarments after bathing.
Uncircumcised men must be extra diligent when cleaning their private parts. Pull down the foreskin and gently wash with water and soap to remove any accumulated dirt and smegma which can be sources of bad odor.
Your penis was responsible for some of your most memorable experiences. It is up to you to take good care of it.
Photo credit: www.madscientistblog.ca/mad-scientist-18-steven-h-pollock/