20 Penis Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Questions and concerns surrounding the topic of the male anatomy, particularly the penis, has been a popular subject for centuries, if not millennia. From passing judgements on the average size of a penis (including girth size), to the debate on circumcision, and everything in between, there’s a lot to learn about this sex organ.
It doesn’t matter if you are the proud owner of one, live with someone who has one, or are curious about them… penises are intriguing things. After all, if you don’t have one yourself, chances are, you care about someone in your life that does.
Whatever you choose to call it — dick, prick, cock, peter — here are 20 penis facts that you may not have known about.
1. Not everyone with a penis is a man
Not all men have penises. Not everyone with a penis is a man. Not every transgender person wants ‘bottom surgery,’ and that’s nobody else’s business!
2. It’s not a muscle…
Contrary to being labelled the ‘love muscle,’ the penis is more like a sponge that fills with blood when aroused. That’s why it doesn’t move around when hard!
3. …But erections keep the penis in shape
Penis ‘exercises’ are simple: allowing it to become engorged with blood and, thus, oxygen. Essentially, let it have erections.
4. They vary in length and girth size
According to the British Journal of Urology International, the average size of a flaccid penis is 9.16 centimetres (3.61 inches) in length and 9.31 centimetres (3.66 inches) in girth size. Comparatively, the average size of an erect penis is 13.12 centimetres (5.16 inches) in length and 11.66 centimetres (4.59 inches) in girth size.
5. Penises are longer than they look
With around half of the penis’ length hidden inside of the body, measurements aren’t necessarily accurate and true to size!
6. Foot size doesn’t affect penis size
Contrary to popular belief, there has been no scientific correlation found between the size of a person’s foot and the length or girth size of their penis.
7. There’s no correlation between flaccid and erect penis size
You’ve probably heard of ‘growers’ and ‘showers,’ referring to penises that lengthen with an erection, versus only getting a bit longer with an erection. There are also in-betweens: penises that stay small, whether hard or soft, and penises that are long when flaccid and grow even more substantially when erect. There’s no rule!
8. Erections can point in any direction
There is no ‘right’ angle for a penis to become erect at, just as there is not a ‘correct’ size for one to be. In fact, as the body ages, the angle of the penis can begin to differ slightly.
9. Penises can change colour
The penis may not match the overall skin tone. It can often be darker than the rest of the skin, with the penis becoming purple-red with arousal from increased blood flow. However, if you notice abnormal discolouration in addition to itchiness, swelling, and unusual discharge, reach out to your doctor.
10. Penises have a plethora of bacteria
Of course, not all bacteria that live on the penis are bad. However, because some can cause infection — especially for uncircumcised men — wash the penis thoroughly but gently, using a mild soap.
11. Most men are not circumcised
One of the penis facts you may not know? According to the World Health Organization, roughly 30% of males (aged 15 and older) are circumcised, with numbers fluctuating depending on religion and nationality.
12. Foreskin can increase the chance of contracting STIs
Evidence has suggested that circumcision reduces the risk of developing certain sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). This is possibly due to the skin on the penis becoming stronger and less prone to microtears post-circumcision, or the result of germs sitting on the surface of the skin for longer periods.
13. You can ‘break’ a penis
Despite the penis not containing any bones, penile fracture is the result of bending an erect penis, causing a tear in the membrane called the ‘tunica albuginea.’
14. Balls don’t actually turn blue
However, the testicles may get a slight blueish tinge. Epididymal hypertension (commonly known as ‘blue balls’) is the pain or discomfort caused by having an erection without an orgasm.
15. Getting hard does not always mean getting aroused
Factors including medication, fluctuating hormones, stress, infections, and even fleeting thoughts can affect whether or not a penis becomes erect. It’s not always an indication of sexual arousal.
Thus, consent is not a physical ‘sign.’ Consent must be verbalized.
16. Erections can happen overnight
Called ‘nocturnal penile tumescence,’ this term describes an erection while sleeping or when waking up. The latter is often colloquially called ‘morning wood.’
17. Even newborns can get an erection
It isn’t uncommon for newborns to have an erection not long after emerging from the womb. In fact, ultrasounds have shown that babies can have full erections while still inside of their mother!
18. The penis has lots of nerve endings
The glans (tip or head of the penis) contains 4,000 nerve endings. As a result, it is highly sensitive, particularly on the frenulum, the area under the glans.
19. Penile sensitivity can decline with age
With age, the nerves in the penis become less sensitive to stimulation. This can lead to difficulty in becoming aroused and, in turn, reaching orgasm.
20. Your penis can help relieve pain
With the release of endorphins (a hormone responsible for boosting your mood and even relieving pain) post-orgasm, mood increases and physical pain is alleviated.
There you have it: 20 penis facts that will hopefully have enlightened you in some way. At the end of the day, the more you know about the male anatomy, the better, regardless of gender identification. Of course, the same goes for learning about the anatomy of the vulva and vagina!
Have you learned anything new about the male anatomy? Are there any questions about the penis that you have? Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below.
