We all think we know all there is to know about sex, but much of what you’ve heard could be simply a myth. Possibly one of the most joked about and misunderstood sexual topics is the penis. The main jobs of the penis are sexual function and the output of urine.
However there are many facts about the penis that are unknown and should be explored. To make the most of your sex life and that of your partner, take a minute to explore the penis, you may be surprised at what you find out.
You Can Fracture or Break Your Penis
It may sound like a joke, but if you’ve ever had a broken penis, you’re not laughing. Although the penis is not a bone, it can be fractured. A “break” to the penis can occur during sex, especially rough sex or even forceful masturbation. A penile fracture, as it is referred to, occurs when the tissue surrounding the penis experiences abrupt injury.
This is often heard as a cracking sound and will typically result in the sudden loss of erection and immediate bruising of the affected area. If you think you have a penile fracture, emergency medical attention should be sought.
Most Penises are Small
Many men worry that their penis is too small or smaller than the average. This negative thinking can often become an obsession and some men have even attempted to lengthen their penis size through the use of special devices or creams. The truth is, most men have nothing to fear, because most penises are not that big. Having a penis larger than the average size is not very common. The average penis measures about 5 to 6 inches in length. Most women are completely comfortable with that size and in fact, may be scared off by giant, larger-than-most penises. Though the world record for the largest penis is 13 inches, it appears that the guy with the record-braking penis still lives at home with his mama, so take that fact for what it is.
The Myth: Like Father, Like Son
Some people believe that the size and look of a penis is determined by how the father’s penis looks. While genetics are fascinating and responsible for many things that are passed won from father to son, the characteristics of the penis is not one of them. Penises are developed inside the womb, not unlike other body parts. So how long your penis is, how wide or how it looks, are unique traits that your father had nothing to do with. The same principle applies to vaginas as well, each one is different.
You Know What They Say About Big Feet
You know what they say about big feet? Big shoes...and that’s it! Contrary to popular belief, the size of a man’s penis cannot be determined by how large his feet or hands are. A better, perhaps more accurate indicator may be a man’s height, as taller men tend to have larger penises.
A random fun fact: a research study performed in 1999 concluded that homosexual men tended to have thicker, lengthier penises than straight men.
Circumcision Is Not the Norm
Most men in the world are not circumcised. Only in The United States will you find that nearly 60% of men are circumcised. In other parts of the world, circumcision is not common place. Surprisingly, the percentage of men circumcised in other parts of the world is less than 15%. American women have grown accustomed to the circumcised penis, but many foreign men have not been cut.
Understanding A Man's Erection
Men Can’t Always Control When They Get an Erection
Most often an erection occurs when it is physically touched or when the brain picks up arousing thoughts. However, this may not always be the case, and many men experience random erections even if the penis has not been physically touched or mentally aroused.
Unplanned erections can be inconvenient and even embarrassing. So the next time you notice that your guy has an erection, don’t automatically assume it is because he’s all hot and bothered, it may have just popped up on its own.
Condoms: No Need to Supersize
Generally speaking, there really is no need to buy extra large condoms. Most men measure about 5 to 6 inches in length on average and will fit securely into a regular, standard size condom. Sure, it may be impressive to see the “magnum” sized box on your guy’s dresser, but does he really need it? Probably not. In fact, using a larger than necessary condom can result in the condom falling off, exposing both you and your partner to the threat of STD’s or unwanted pregnancy.
Blue Balls Aren’t Really Blue, But They Do Exist
Sure, most of us have heard the term “blue balls”. For those that haven’t, if your guy is hot and bothered but you don’t have sex, he will usually say he’s got them. The good news is that his balls are not actually blue, but when he says he has them, he is probably telling the truth. When a man becomes very sexually aroused, the testicles and prostate become engorged with fluid. Typically, this fluid is expelled during orgasm. However, if orgasm is not reached, pain and discomfort can set in. Fortunately, a case of blue balls can be cured with some over-the-counter pain relief, sexual climax or good old-fashioned masturbation.
Too Much Alcohol Can Prevent an Erection
Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can prevent a man from achieving and sustaining an erection. The same holds true for drug abuse. The more drinks that are consumed, the less likely it is that a strong erection will occur. So guys, take it easy on the liquor, especially if you and your partner plan to get busy that night, because nobody likes a drunken penis.
A Small, Soft Penis Can Still Become a Large, Hard Penis
Many people assume that a small penis is a small penis whether erect or not erect. Truth be told, the size of a non-erect penis is no indication of how large that same penis will be when it becomes fully erect. The average length of a flaccid penis can be as little as 3 inches, however, that same penis when rock hard can nearly double in size. On the contrary, a larger flaccid penis may only gain a centimeter or two upon full arousal. So don’t judge a book by its cover, the real truth is in the erection.
Most people think that they know a thing or two about penises, but the truth is, its difficult to tell myth from reality. Now that you’ve been educated, it’s time to dispel the myths. Chances are that your penis or your partner’s penis is an average Joe, so disregard the gossip or the penis humor, and stick to the facts.
Sources & Links
- Photo courtesy of jasonpier on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/jasonpier/5399378775
- Photo courtesy of greggoconnell on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/greggoconnell/252747817