In July of 2015, headlines abounded concerning a study that, according to some writers, answers the question of what a “good-looking penis” looks like. The notion that there is an ideal penis appearance is problematic for a number of reasons, including the fact that it objectifies men and causes undue distress for them. Sexual health can suffer from anxieties around the penis, and it’s important for men to address those issues.
Still, there were some interesting results of the study in question, and they are worth noting.
Some facts
The study consisted of only 105 women between the ages of 16 and 45. The women assessed photos of 20 penises, and researchers ranked the features that were most important to the women.
One-hundred-five is a small sample size, so this study can hardly be said to offer anything conclusive in the way of “what women find attractive.” However, the results do make quite a bit of sense.
The point of the study was to gather some evidence concerning whether one’s assessment of whether a penis was good-looking or not was affected by the shape of the meatus, the opening of the urethra. Ten of the penises photographed had received surgery to reposition the meatus, which was congenitally mal-positioned behind the penile head. The surgically repositioned meatuses were shaped differently than the others.
Results
Study after study finds that women aren’t too concerned about penis size, but men still don’t get it. For them, it’s often a bit of an obsession and a significant source of distress. This study found penis length to rank fifth out of seven factors influencing ideas about a good-looking penis.
The following ranking resulted from the study:
1) General cosmetic appearance
2) Appearance of pubic hair
3) Girth/appearance of skin (tied)
4) Shape of penis head
5) Length
6) Appearance of scrotum
7) Shape and position of meatus
The first factor, “general cosmetic appearance,” is too vague to really say much about, but it’s notable that tidiness and skin condition are list-toppers, as much as or more so than any anatomical feature. Though the study certainly has its limitations, it does reinforce the importance of cleanliness and attention to detail, which are things any man can work on (unlike size and shape).
Finally, men who receive corrective surgery on the meatus need not feel self-conscious about how their members look, the study suggests. And that makes sense – a well-kept penis is a beautiful thing, squinty meatus or not.
What guys can do
While getting all hung up on how the penis looks isn’t healthy, there’s nothing wrong with wanting it to be as beautiful as it can be, particularly when one considers what is healthy to be beautiful. Trimming the hair is totally a matter of personal preference, but sweat-prone guys benefit from taming the shrub, keeping the area cooler and preventing bacteria buildup that can lead to odors. Keeping the hair tidy can also cut down on instances of jock itch, a nasty fungal infection that causes an itchy rash in the genital region.
Another crucial factor men ought to pay attention to is skin condition. Smooth, vibrant skin is delightful to the eye and to the touch. More importantly, healthy skin is less prone to infection, as cracks in dry skin can provide harboring grounds for viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Keeping the skin in peak condition is made possible by using a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Natural moisturizers like Shea butter and vitamin E join forces to hydrate the skin, getting rid of any dryness or flakiness that may be affecting the manhood. Using a lotion made specifically for the penis will ensure that guys are showing their members the extra love they deserve, and a man’s attention to detail is likely to be noticed and appreciated by his lover.
