PENIS FACTS THAT UROLOGISTS WANT YOU TO KNOW
The penis is a male external male organ responsible for sexual activity, reproduction, and urination. The science behind the function of a penis looks almost straightforward, there is much more than what meets the eye. Read below as we discuss several penis facts hidden from the public eye.
Topics on reproductive health are the toughest to talk about because many people are afraid of the embarrassment that comes with not knowing the functions of their genitals. No wonder several men do not have a detailed knowledge of how their penises work; owning a penis is not a guarantee that you have detailed information about how it works. However, with the help of a urologist, a doctor who has specialized in penile health, you can learn a thing or two about your penis.
Penis Facts
Although most people are familiar with the penis, they do not know all that a penis entails. As much as it is never easy to talk about reproductive health, learning a thing or two about how a penis works may save you the embarrassment of displaying unsolicited views on the penis in a room full of people. Below is a list of facts to help you know more about this majestic organ.
Erectile Problems Are Common
Rew & Heidelbaugh (2016) noted that erectile dysfunction is a common penile disorder that makes it hard for it to hold and maintain an erection. There is a lot that fuels erectile dysfunction, factors like stress, bad eating habits, and addiction to drugs. Most men do not seek urgent medical attention when they start struggling with erectile dysfunction because of the fear of stigmatization by society. Societal norms state that as a man, penile issues should not be dealt with outside the bedroom, which has led to a lot of men choosing to suffer in silence. Suffering in silence ends up costing them a lot of mental and financial headaches. Performance issues, just like flue, are common and the only way to get the help you deserve is by talking to a urologist to ascertain the root cause of your penile disorder and get your penis back on track.
Low Sex Drive Is Not Always Due To Low Testosterone
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for normal sex functions and reproduction. Low testosterone levels in men hamper their sex drive and sometimes mood. Kemper (1990) noted that low sex drive in men can be due to a culmination of psychological and biological factors that occur with or without the man’s knowledge. Psychological factors may include anxiety, depression, stress, etc. while biological factors may include obesity or any metabolic syndrome like high blood pressure and high sugar levels.
Kegels Are A Life Saver
According to Silantyeva et al. (2021), kegel exercises are meant to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles in the event of surgery or any health condition that may have caused your pelvic muscles to weaken. Pelvic floor exercises are popular among women because they are prone to incontinence, unlike men. However, this does not mean that men cannot suffer from incontinence. Men suffering from incontinence can largely benefit from Kegels if they target the right muscles and find the perfect kegel technique. With regular Kegels, the results will be visible within the first two weeks. Therefore, if you want to do away with incontinence, make Kegels your regular to-do activity.
Stop Putting Too Much Focus On Your Penis
Most men have experienced erectile issues at one point in their life, it is normal for your penis to have one of those days when it does not rise to the occasion. In such an event, urologists advise letting your penis be and avoiding peeking at it to see if circumstances have changed. Putting so much focus on your penis is a sure way of birthing anxious thoughts and stress which will hamper erections and even worse, performance anxiety in bed. Allow your penis to have its moments and try to wade off any stressful thoughts and anxious situations during this period.
Penis Sizes Vary
Many men go through waves of anxiety because of the fear that their penis sizes are below average (Spitz (2018). Penis size anxiety can greatly impact sexual confidence and self-esteem. The size of a penis is fully dependent on genetics and factors such as drug use with genetics being the primary factor. Genetic conditions such as the Klinefelter Syndrome, which lowers testosterone levels in men, hampers penile size. It is vital to note that penis size is not the marking scheme of sexual ability and prowess in bed. If you feel that your penile size is below average, you can try surgery or adopt the use of penis extenders. However, no one should sink into anxious thoughts because of their penile size.
Men Can Suffer from Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are infections that affect any part of your urinary system; the urethra, kidneys, ureters, and the bladder. Most UTI infections occur in the lower part of the urinary tract – the urethra and the bladder in men and women. Warnings (2014) noted that the symptoms range from painful urinary sessions, spots of blood in the urine, and frequent urges to pee. Women unlike men are more disposed to UTI infections because of their anatomy. However, this does not mean that men are immune to UTI infections. In case you get a UTI scare, it is of utmost importance that you visit a urologist who will put you on the right medication.
Stay Away From Medical Aphrodisiacs
Aphrodisiacs are substances designed to stimulate sexual desire. Hithamani, et al. (2009) noted that these substances boost blood flow to the genitals while also releasing biochemicals that make you feel relaxed and sexually excited. Often, medical aphrodisiacs are hyped for men experiencing erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. As tempting as it may sound, urologists' do not support the idea of purchasing these over-the-counter libido boosters. It is advisable to visit a medical professional instead of purchasing these drugs on your own.
The Bottom Line
The penis is the primary male sex organ responsible for reproduction, urination, and other sexual functions. There is a lot that we do not know about the penis and often, we end up drawing biased and baseless conclusions. These conclusions have evolved into myths that place the penis on some sort of pedestal, not knowing that the penis, just like the vagina has its fair share of hurdles. The article above has listed some of the penile facts that we ought to know to avoid embarrassing situations.
References
Kemper, T. D. (1990). Social structure and testosterone: Explorations of the socio-bio-social chain. Rutgers University Press.
Rew, K. T., & Heidelbaugh, J. J. (2016). Erectile dysfunction. American family physician, 94(10), 820-827
Silantyeva, E., Zarkovic, D., Astafeva, E., Soldatskaia, R., Orazov, M., Belkovskaya, M., & Kurtser, M. (2021). A comparative study on the effects of high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology and electrostimulation for the treatment of pelvic floor muscles and urinary incontinence in parous women: analysis of posttreatment data. Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery, 27(4), 269.
Spitz, A. (2018). The Penis Book: A Doctor's Complete Guide to the Penis—From Size to Function and Everything in Between. Rodale.
Warnings, P. (2014). Urinary Tract and Kidney Warnings on Nonprescription Products. US Pharm, 39(8), 12-15.