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(C) Love Matters | Rita Lino

Men, how well do you know your body?

The penis is able to get bigger and smaller because it’s made of erectile tissue – inside it’s like a sponge that can fill up with blood.

The penis is able to get bigger and smaller because it’s made of erectile tissue – inside it’s like a sponge that can fill up with blood.

The different parts of your penis are:

penis foreskin shaft
  1. The shaft – the long part of the penis
  2. The glans – the head of the penis
  3. The foreskin, if you aren’t circumcised – skin that covers the glans
  4. The urethral opening – where the urine comes out

Head and foreskin

The head of your penis, the glans, is a sensitive part of your penis – usually the most sensitive part. When you’re born, the head of your penis is covered and protected by the foreskin.

Some boys and men are circumcised. This means the foreskin is cut away.

The foreskin is attached to the head by a band of skin called the frenulum. It is very sensitive to touch, particularly the bottom ridge.

If you’re uncircumcised, when you get an erection, the foreskin usually slides back and the head is uncovered. But in some men, the frenulum can be very short. So when you have an erection, it’s painful because your foreskin may be stopped from sliding right back over the head of your penis. A doctor can free it with a minor operation.

Whether you’re circumcised or not, it’s important to clean your penis carefully. Read more on how to care for the uncircumcised or circumcised penis.

circumcised uncircumcised penis
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Erection

An erection is when the penis gets enlarged and hard. Inside your penis are three tubes of spongy tissue. When you get sexually aroused, they fill up with blood, and your penis gets longer and harder. When you get an erection it may be called a ‘boner’, but there’s no bone in a penis!

Male Reproductive System Erected
© Love Matters

Variations

Erections vary in size and angle. No two boys or men are the same. There are big variations in the size and angle of erections, which can be influenced by things like circumcision and genetics.

Penis Types
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Circumcision and erection

Not circumcised
If you’re uncircumcised, when you have an erection your foreskin slides back, and you can see the head of your penis (glans).

Circumcised
If you are circumcised, whether you have an erection or not, you can see the head of your penis. This is because your foreskin has been removed.

It’s all in the angle

When erect, your penis could point upwards, downwards, or straight ahead.

  • 25 per cent of boys or men have erect penises that point nearly or completely downwards to their feet
  • 35 per cent of boys or men have erect penises that point nearly or completely straight up against their abdomen area
  • 40 per cent of boys or men have erect penises that point nearly or completely straightforward

Pearly penile papules

If you’ve got little white bumps around the rim of the head of your penis, they may well be pearly penile papules.

Pearly penile papules aren’t a sexually transmitted infection. This means you can’t get them from someone else or spread them to other people.

They are often confused with genital warts, but they’re not an infection at all. If the bumps on your penis bleed, itch, pop, or seep fluids, get them checked by a medical professional.

Common

Pearly penile papules appear to be very common. The few studies done on them found that anywhere between 8 to 48 per cent of men surveyed had them. They seem to be particularly common among men aged 20 to 30 years old.

It’s possible that through your lifetime, the bumps will appear and disappear by themselves. Don’t pick at them or try to pop them because you can create infections or scarring.

They don’t need medical treatment because they are not caused by an infection or an abnormality. However, some boys and men are embarrassed by the way they look. Also, you might feel it affects the way you have sex.

Treatment

A dermatologist can remove them using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. It’s a simple but painful operation in which the CO2 laser vapourises the bumps. After the procedure, there will be some swelling and scabbing, but it should heal within two weeks.

Testicles & more

Your testicles hang behind your penis in a bag of skin called the scrotum.

Every man’s scrotum looks different. It can be large, small, wrinkled or quite smooth, hairy, or bald. One testicle usually hangs a bit lower than the other, and sometimes they’re slightly different sizes.

Testosterone

Inside the scrotum, there are two testicles, or testes. Your testicles produce and store millions of tiny sperm cells. They also produce testosterone, a hormone that causes men to produce sperm and develop bigger muscles, deeper voices, and body hair. One thing is for sure: the testicles are very sensitive and easily damaged. So a word of advice: never kick anyone there.

Temperature

When it’s cold, your scrotum shrinks. When it’s hot, your scrotum gets bigger. This happens because, to make sperm, your testicles need to be at just the right temperature – a bit cooler than the rest of your body. So when it’s cold your scrotum squeezes your testicles up close to your body to keep them warm, and when it’s hot your scrotum lets your testicles hang down to keep cool. This happens without you thinking about it!

Prostate

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It’s a gland that produces the clear fluid in semen. It’s about the size of a shelled walnut.
You can feel the prostate with your finger, through the wall of the anus, about five centimetres inside on the stomach side. Some people enjoy having their prostate touched like this as part of lovemaking.

Anus

The anus is the opening of your bowel – where the stool comes out.
The anus is sensitive, which is why some people include it in their lovemaking.
You can stroke your partner’s anus when you make love, or your own when you masturbate. It can also feel nice if your anus is licked. Some people like having a penis or fingers inside their anus. This is called anal sex.

Anus
© Love Matters

Hygiene

Whether you’re circumcised or uncircumcised you should wash your penis every day.

If you’re uncircumcised, gently pull back your foreskin and use warm water to clean the head of your penis. You can use soap on the shaft of your penis, but it’s probably not a good idea to use soap to clean under your foreskin.

Soap can upset the natural balance of bacteria and actually make you more likely to get fungal infections. If you do choose to wash the head of your penis with soap, use a gentle one without strong perfumes.

It’s important to wash away smegma. This is a white or yellowish sticky substance made up of skin oil and shed skin cells. It’s perfectly natural, but it can build up under your foreskin and smell, irritate, and cause infection.

Penis Smegma
© Love Matters
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Recent Comments (53)

  1. Want to see sizes of penis
    Want to see sizes of penis

    1. show me the various shapes…
      show me the various shapes and penis sizes

    2. Unfortunately Samuel we do…
      Unfortunately Samuel we do not have photos that illustrate sizes, we hope the article gives adequate information.

    3. Please for small penise…
      Please for small penise factor can u do

      1. Hi Emmy, thank you for…

        Hi Emmy, thank you for reaching out to us. What is your size? 

      1. Hi Wickliffe, we are so glad…

        Hi Wickliffe, we are so glad to hear this. Please feel free to go through the website to find other articles that you may find of help.

    1. Thank you for the feedback…
      Thank you for the feedback Shaks.

  2. can one increased the length…
    can one increased the length and gith/ thickness of the penis and how ?

  3. why do some penis bend when…
    why do some penis bend when erected like mine

  4. What can. I do to make may…
    What can. I do to make may penis bigger?

  5. What can I use to increase…
    What can I use to increase my penis size

  6. Is it bad to have sex with…
    Is it bad to have sex with my girlfriend when she is on her period… And why do someone exprience pain after sex around the penishead?

    1. Hi Difre, it is okay to have…

      Hi Difre, it is okay to have sex with your girlfriend during her periods. Infact sex can help relief some of the menstrual pain. There is a small chance that one could get pregnant depending on their cycle. Have a look at the following article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/sex-during-your-period-top-five-facts 

      With regard to pain on the head of the penis, this maybe as a result of a number of reasons including trauma to head during sex, bruises caused by the thrusting including dry sex or the presence of an infection. Ensure that your partner is well lubricated when having intercourse to reduce the possibility bruises or trauma. If the pain does not subside and persists it maybe important to seek medical advice.

  7. How can one increase the…
    How can one increase the length and girth/thickness of the penis?

  8. My Penis is bent toward the…
    My Penis is bent toward the left…?

  9. Please help, I am 16 years I…
    Please help, I am 16 years I have wet dreams almost every night. I want to make it stop.

    1. Hello Joakim, Wet dreams are…

      Hello Joakim, Wet dreams are a normal part of growing up. There is no real way to control them so they don’t occur as often but as you grow they will happen less. Remember, one doesn’t have to be having a dream about sex for them to have wet dreams. Have a look st the following articles for additional information;- 

      https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/male-body/wet-dreams-top-five-facts

      https://lovemattersafrica.com/making-love/orgasms/wet-dreams-are-they-normal

  10. I am just 17 and my penis…
    I am just 17 and my penis has stopped growing. Is this normal or will it continue to grow before I get to my 20s? It is too small.

  11. At what age should you for…
    At what age should you for prostrate cancer check especially if it runs in the family?

    1. Hi Rob, usually at the age…

      Hi Rob, usually at the age of fourty years men are encourages to get an annual prostrate exam especially when there has been a history of prostrate cancer in the family. Do talk to your health care provider who will be able to provide with more specific advice based on your unique circumstances. Check out the following article for more information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/male-body/male-cancers-and-movember-top-five-facts 

  12. I have w quizes for you love…
    I have w quizes for you love matters when will a penis stop growing during adolescence? What is the average penis size?

    1.  Hi Christoph, in most boys,…

       Hi Christoph, in most boys, the penis has reached its full size by the time they’re 15 years old. On the other hand the average penis is about 5 to 6 inches. However, having a larger penis doesn’t make one a better lover. It is important to understand ones partner’s needs, this is what will make them a better lover. Have a look at the following articles for more information;- 

      https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/male-body/puberty-in-boys-what-to-expect

      https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/male-body/penis-size-myths-busted

  13. Thank you love matters. what…
    Thank you love matters. what you mean is powermax cannot make my penis big?

  14. What should I do to add…
    What should I do to add weight I am very tall but very slender I don’t like the way I look.

    1. Hey Paul, you body size and…

      Hey Paul, you body size and structure is likely a result of your genes. It may be helpful to focus on being healthy as opposed to just adding weight. Do try and talk to a nutritionist who will suggest healthy steps you can take to achieve this. 

  15. I am 16 and my penis is…
    I am 16 and my penis is still small will it continue to grow? When I erect it gets bigger.

  16. Gland about all u are doing…
    Gland about all u are doing well to educate.

    1. Hi Antony, always pleased to…

      Hi Antony, always pleased to help!

  17. What do you talk about…
    What do you talk about having some small pimples on the penis shaft skin? Is it normal? And if yes, isn’t a risk for easy contraction of STDs.what would I do to get rid of them

    1. Hi Anonymous, small bumps on…

      Hi Anonymous, small bumps on the penis are rather common and could be skin cysts or ingrown hairs. They should be fine. However, if you pop them they could get infected. However, if you are sexually active, they could also be an indicator of a sexually transmitted disease.

  18. I have a question..can I cum…
    I have a question..can I cum inside my girlfriend who has been missing her periods for 3 months ?

    1. Why hasn’t she had her…

      Why hasn’t she had her period in 3 months?

  19. When I’m erect my balls…
    When I’m erect my balls comes to stay at the top of my penis near my abdomen. What is wrong with me?

  20. Hello Cairo, unless you are…

    Hello Cairo, unless you are experiencing any pain, in which case you should visit a doctor immediately, what you are experiencing is called retractile testicle. Quite simply this is a testicle that, instead of staying in the scrotum all the time, can move up and down between the scrotum and the groin. This is not uncommon and it means that although your testicles hang normally in your scrotum most of the time, they are pulled up by certain muscles into the groin area in certain circumstances. The cremaster muscle pulls the testicle upwards and in some men into the inguinal canal that lies just above and behind the crease at the top of the leg where it joins with the abdomen. Testicles normally, and naturally, retract during sex, especially prior to ejaculation. Unlike an undescended testicle that may require surgery to place it into the scrotum, a retractile testicle is not usually associated with any problems or complications and so requires no treatment. However, in a small number of cases, the testis can only be manipulated into the upper part of the scrotum and is known as a high retractile testicle. These are probably more of an incompletely descended testicle rather than a retractile one and may require surgical fixing, known as an orchidopexy.

  21. I have problem with my penis…
    I have problem with my penis now I don’t work well especially during sex

    1. Hi Johnny, 

      What do you…

      Hi Johnny, 

      What do you mean that your penis doesn’t work? Is it that it does not erect? Do you come too soon? Kindly clarity so that we can answer your question. 

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