The penis is the male sexual organ, reaching its full-size during puberty. As well as the sexual function where it carries semen out of the body, it’s also where urine leaves the body. The penis is really similar in shape to the clitoris, but instead of being more of an internal organ like the clitoris, it’s more of an external one, made up of the root, body (shaft), and glans.
The clitoris (left) and the penis (right) emerge from the same cells in a zygote.
The glans part of the penis is also called the ‘head’ or the ‘tip’ and contains 4,000 nerve endings, which make it the most sensitive part of the penis. If a boy, young man or man isn’t circumcised the foreskin is the shroud of skin that covers the head of the penis. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin.
Along the sides of the penis are two strands of tissue called corpus cavernosum, this is where blood fills this tissue to cause an erection. Similar to a female body every male body is different in shape and size and feels different when stimulated; so as always, communicate with your partner about what they like and what you like to make it a pleasurable moment for both of you.
The penis is an organ that isn’t just there to function, as in getting an erection in time and or being the last part of the urination, it’s a very sensitive part of the body.
In the media/society the penis isn’t represented as a sensitive or precious part of the body but seen instead as something that is only there for sex with expectations of how it should perform and of course how big it should be making many young men feel pressured during puberty hoping their penis will be big as a ‘big penis’ makes someone a ‘real’ man’ (which of course we know is completely not true). Size really doesn’t matter especially when you make it about connection with another and the sensitivity of touch.
There can also be the pressure of having an erection for as long as possible which can be why so many young men have premature ejaculation when having sex for the first time or several times because of putting themselves under pressure and a level of what’s expected from them.
Premature ejaculation occurs when ejaculation happens sooner during sexual intercourse than he or his partner would like. Premature ejaculation is when you have an orgasm before intercourse or right after you start. There’s no set time when ejaculation should happen during sex, but if you ejaculate and lose your erection very soon, you and your partner may feel there’s not enough time to enjoy it. This can be frustrating and even embarrassing, however, it’s a common issue for males and data says that between 30% to 40% have it at some time in their life.
Taking care of your penis
Caring for you and your body is always super important, the more we care for ourselves the more this is felt by others and respected. This includes caring for the genitals. Your penis is not a performer but a part of you and like any part of us connecting with it and taking care of it is key.
Washing your penis and testicles every day is really important, if you don’t then a yellowish-white creamy substance called smegma starts to build up under the foreskin or on the head of the penis. Smegma is a natural substance (secretions, moisture, oil and skin cells) found on the genitals but if left to build up can lead to an infection so it’s important to clean gently and properly every day. If you have foreskin pull it gently back to wash underneath.
When masturbating or simply being under the shower and washing it, do you allow yourself to treat your whole body with tenderness and delicacy, including your penis? Or do you rush to get washed and dressed as quickly as possible.
Challenge! If rushing is what you normally do try taking your time and treating your body with respect and care when washing for a week and see what the difference is, not only in that moment but in your day and relationship with yourself and others. You might be surprised to see that such a simple thing can make such a difference!
Did you know...
…An average male orgasm lasts 6 seconds.
…Some men are born with two 2! it’s a condition called Diphallus and affects 100 men worldwide
…Penises can break! Okay don’t freak out maybe not such a fun fact! Though the penis doesn’t have a bone the fibrous blood-filled tissue inside an erect penis can tear during vigorous intercourse or masturbation causing a penile fracture. A bending injury that happens when a membrane called tunica albuginea tears. Recovering from a facture usually involves stitches
…Smoking can make the penis shrink as much as a centimetre because calcified blood vessels reduce erectile circulation. One more reason to stop smoking!
…The penis works out at night! Most young men/men have 3-5 erections at night while sleeping.
…Phallophobia is the fear of a penis
…Koro is a syndrome when individuals have an irrational belief that their penis will retract back into their body!
