If you’ve been with enough guys in your lifetime (however many that may be) you might think you know your way around a penis. But the truth is, whether you’ve been with one or 10, you probably know a lot less about them than you thought. So to enlighten you on all things member-related, we’ve rounded up some of the most fascinating facts about penises. Enjoy!
Physical Health and Penis Health Go Hand-in-Hand
If your guy has been having a hard time keeping it up lately, take a look at his lifestyle. Has his sleep schedule been thrown off or has he put on some weight? Men who are heavier tend to have lower testosterone levels, which can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Meanwhile, not getting enough sleep or exercise can also screw with his erections.
Boners Are Not Made of Bone
FYI, there is no bone surrounding his hard on. Instead, it’s caused by fibrous tissues that carry blood to the area and make it erect. And those crazy stories you hear about guys breaking their penis? It’s actually caused by a fracture on the outermost penile tissue, according to urologist Harry Fisch, M.D., author of The New Naked: the Ultimate Sex Education for Grown-Ups. In fact, he says if it goes untreated, the guy can end up with scar tissue in the area and a condition called Peyronie’s disease, which leaves the penis bent or curved when erect.
Size Does Matter…To Men
According to Fisch’s book, the average man’s penis is 3 inches long when flaccid and anywhere between 4.5 to 6.5 inches long when erect. Sounds about right. Yet recent research found that many men stress out about their penis size—regardless of how big they are.
He Might Actually Be Able to Make it Grow
A group of men in Italy dissatisfied with their manhood tried out a method called “Traction,” which used a penile extender that stretched out their appendage for several hours a day for four months (ow, right?!). The men who participated saw a growth of 0.59 inches to 0.98 inches (about 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters). A less painful way to make him bigger? A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that during oral sex, men reported larger penis measurements compared to other methods of arousal.
Circumcision Doesn’t Change Much for You
Sure, there’s a little more there than you’re used to working with, but experts say sex with an uncircumcised guy will feel pretty much the same. As for his sensation, some reports have said that uncut guys are even more sensitive below the belt.
Semen Is Low in Calories
In fact, it’s actually composed of citric acid, amino acids, fructose, enzymes, and water, according to Fisch. Plus, a teaspoonful only has 36 calories!
His Shoes Tell You Nothing About His Penis
Sorry to break it to you, but just because a guy has a size 13 shoe, that doesn’t mean he’s packing down there. Foot size and penis size are totally unrelated. The fact is, studies have not found a predictor that tells you if a man will be big or not.
It’s More Flexible Than You Think
A 2002 study from the University of Stanford analyzed couples having sex under an MRI (seriously). They found that the penis curves into a boomerang shape when the man is inside the woman during the missionary position. How bizarre is that?!
Cigarettes Can Stunt His Penis
Not only does research show that smoking screws with libido, but one study found that cigarettes can even lead to weaker erections. Fisch says this is because smoking constricts the blood vessels, making blood flow to his manhood way more challenging. The result: a less than stellar erection.
Package Size May Vary By State
If a man’s penis size matters to you, then you may want to take a trip to North Dakota. According to data from Condomania.com, guys in North Dakota are buying the largest-sized condoms, while men in Mississippi are buying the smallest ones.
It’s Basically Like a Big Clitoris
Believe it: When boys and girls are in the womb, our genitalia aren’t all that different until the male sex hormones kick in, says Fisch. That’s why the clitoris and the penis actually share very similar nerve endings.
The Surrounding Areas Can Be Just As Sensitive
The penis may seem like the end-all-be-all of his orgasm, but there are some outlying areas that are hidden hot spots, too. For instance, the male G-Spot is located on their prostate, while the perineum—the skin located in between the anus and the scrotum—is another major erogenous zone.
Some of Them May… Surprise You
You’ve probably heard about—or witnessed—the difference between growers and show-ers. But interestingly, a guy’s size when flaccid really doesn’t predict what he’ll look like when erect. “The flaccid penis has nothing to do with size. It’s just about blood flow when it is erect,” explains Fisch. In fact, a study in the Journal of Sex Research found that smaller flaccid penises saw much greater increases in size when erect than larger flaccid penises. So yes, growers exist, and they just might shock you.
Source: Women’sHealth