From childhood, males are generally taught to take care of their bodies by eating right, getting plenty of exercise, and seeing the doctor for regular well-checks. Unfortunately, few parents or doctors make it a point to discuss the finer points of penis anatomy and care with their young boys, and as they reach adulthood, shyness or discomfort in talking about sexual health matters leaves a large number of men with many questions and concerns, but nowhere to turn for the answers.
In order to address this problem, some of the most common concerns that men raise about penis sensation, the appearance of their penis, and the right approach to caring for the penis are discussed here.
Q: My penis is curved to one side (or up, or down) – am I deformed?
A: All men are different, and few of them have an arrow-straight penis. The male equipment comes in all shapes, sizes, and styles of hanging, and most men have some degree of bending or curvature when their penis is erect. In most cases this is normal. While men who have extreme bending that is painful or makes penetration difficult may have a condition known as Peyronie’s disease which merits medical attention, a slight hang to the left or right, or even up or down, is perfectly natural.
Q: Even when the rest of my penis is hard, the head is soft. Do I have erectile dysfunction?
A: The head, or glans, of the penis is meant to be softer than the rest of the member, even when it is fully erect. The softer tissue acts as a sort of shock absorber during penetration, and the flexibility of the tissue allows it to conform to the shape of a partner’s anatomy.
Q: I have a ring of bumps or warts around my penis head. Do I have a sexually transmitted disease?
A: While any unusual bumps, lumps or pustules on the penis should be checked out by a doctor, there is often a more benign explanation than an STI. For instance, a ring of whitish or flesh-colored bumps around the crown of the penis may be nothing more than pearly penile papules, which are a normal anatomical variation and are not contagious.
Q: How much masturbation is too much?
A: The answer here really depends on the individual. A man who spends so much time masturbating that he neglects other aspects of his life, such as his job, relationships, or other activities that he enjoys, then this may be seen as a problem to be addressed. Otherwise, masturbating is generally normal and healthy; the key is to use a lube to prevent excessive friction of the skin, which can lead to loss of penis sensation over time, and to avoid developing a sore penis or dry, irritated skin.
Q: My penis is not as sensitive as it used to be. Is there any way to improve penis sensation?
A: Penis sensation loss can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from circulatory issues to nerve damage to psychological issues. In many cases, men can restore some degree of sensitivity with the right attention to penile skin care and to addressing underlying health problems.
Q: The penis does not require any special care, right?
A: Wrong! Although the penis plays an important role in most men’s lives, the majority of men think that no special attention is needed besides a wash every now and then, and perhaps trimming the hedges for a more sleek appearance. However, the skin of the penis is highly specialized and delicate, and it needs proper attention to keep functioning at its best. Applying a specially formulated penis vitamin creme (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can help to ensure that the penile skin, blood vessels and nerve cells receive the nutrients they need to function at their best, and to form healthy new tissue when the old cells die off.
