About penile health
WHAT IS A PENIS?
The penis is a male external genital organ. In most males it hangs between the legs. It is above the pouch of skin (scrotum) that holds your testicles. It mainly consists of blood vessels and spongy tissue.
It includes the root (attached to the pelvis), the main body (shaft), and glans (tip) which may or may not be covered by the foreskin. The body of the penis is composed of muscle, skin and nerves. Erectile tissue (corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum) allows it to become erect.
WHAT DOES A PENIS DO?
The penis is responsible for urination, reproduction (semen ejaculation), and sexual pleasure.
- Urination – pee exits via the urethra which runs from the bladder through the prostate gland down to the tip.
- Reproduction – semen is carried from the prostate gland to the tip via the urethra. It leaves the penis during ejaculation – usually after an orgasm.
- Sexual pleasure – as you probably know, a penis has loads of sensitive nerve endings. Touching or rubbing it can feel great and may lead to an orgasm and ejaculation.
The shape and size of a penis varies from person to person. It may have a slight curve or bend, be a different colour from the skin in other areas, have a large or small head. There is no “typical” penis.
LOOK AFTER YOUR PENIS
Here are a few tips for looking after your penis:
- Good hygiene is important. Wash your penis regularly – at least once a day – and dry off thoroughly afterwards. Use mild products and avoid the water getting too hot. Clean under your foreskin (if you have one). Gently pull back the foreskin and wash gently underneath. Remember to put it back in place!
- Change your underwear everyday.
- Practice safe sex – use condoms to help protect you (and others) against HPV and sexually transmitted infections.
- If you are worried about sex – such as erectile dysfunction, ejaculation or a low sex drive (decreased libido) – speak to your GP, pharmacists or a healthcare professional. They are there to help.
- Make healthy choices such as keeping active, managing your weight, eating a well balanced diet and reducing your alcohol intake.
- Avoid (or quit) smoking.
- Rest, relax and manage stress.
- Consider getting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to help prevent cancers associated with the virus.
- Check yourself with a monthly examination. You can download our Pecker Checker – a simple tool that will guide you on how to check your penis. If you notice any changes on your penis such as a rash or sore, a discharge or smell, changes during urination or sex, or are worried that something doesn’t look right then see your GP, pharmacist or healthcare professional.
WHAT CONDITIONS AND DISORDERS CAN AFFECT THE PENIS?
Problems that can affect the function and health of the penis include:
- Balanitis is the inflammation of the head of the penis. It can become red and sore. It most commonly affects uncircumcised males due to infections (fungal/yeast, bacterial) or irritation.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) include genital warts, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and genital herpes.
- Peyronies disease is a condition that causes the penis to curve when it’s erect due to scar tissue building up inside the penis. It is often painful.
- Erectile dysfunction also known as ED is a condition which makes it difficult to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex.
- Pearly penile papules are small bumps that appear in rows around the head of the penis.
- Phimosis is a condition where the foreskin cannot be pulled back or retracted fully from the head.
- Paraphimosis is when the foreskin is pulled back and gets stuck behind the head of the penis causing swelling and pain.
Don’t tough it out! – Some conditions need urgent medical attention, such as paraphimosis (when the foreskin forms a tight band around the head of the penis), the rare occurrence of a penile fracture (which can happen if an erect penis is forcefully bent or injured), or priapism (a prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours).
If you experience sudden pain or discomfort, call NHS 111, 999, or visit A&E