Table of contents:
- Recognize the physical characteristics of a healthy penis
- 1. Color
- 2. Texture
- 3. Size
- 4. Shape
- 5. Foreskin
- 6. Ejaculate
- 7. Sensitivity
At one point in life, most men must have wondered, "Is my penis normal?" or "Is semen supposed to look like that?" In fact, what are the characteristics of a healthy penis?
A healthy penis can be judged not only on how well a man performs in bed, but also by how well it functions on a day-to-day basis.
Penile sensitivity, size, and erection - all related to a man's overall health, can serve as early indicators of problems in other areas. For example, if the penis is unable to get an erection, this could reflect other underlying health problems, not just arousal and sex issues.
Recognize the physical characteristics of a healthy penis
So, how do you identify the characteristics and characteristics of a healthy penis that you can do yourself? Well, there are at least seven conditions of the penis that you can pay attention to, namely regarding color, texture, size, shape, foreskin, ejaculation, and sensitivity.
1. Color
In general, a healthy penis is the same color as a person's skin tone. However, a man can have a penis that is 1-2 shades darker, more brown, or reddish - even lighter than the rest of the body.
Some men have dark spots on their penis. For some men, this is a normal part of their skin. However, immediately consult a doctor if new spots or blemishes appear and don't go away.
Although not very common, it is not impossible for a bruised penis. Bruises that go away quickly, are relatively harmless. However, diffuse purple or dark blue bruises, especially after an injury, require immediate medical attention as they can signal long-term damage to the erection.
One thing is for sure, if the skin tone of your penis is not that different from your skin tone then chances are you are doing well.
When stimulated, the penis can tend to darken for a few moments. However, if there is a sudden, significant change in color and is accompanied by pain - especially redness and swelling - you should see a doctor.
2. Texture
Most of the penis has a texture that is not smooth. It is normal for the blood vessels in the penis to be visible and even slightly surface, especially when aroused, giving the penis a muscular appearance.
Many healthy penises also have hair follicles on the shaft, which feel like tiny bumps. As long as the size of the lump on the penis is not a cause for concern, such as redness or irritation, it may be part of your natural skin, such as pearly penile papules (PPP) or Fordyce spots.
Pearly penile papule (PPP) are small, fine pearly warts on the head of the penis that are commonly present in young adulthood. PPH is a very common, completely harmless and non-contagious condition - about 25% of the world's male population has it.
Fordyce spots are small bumps that are bright red or matching your skin tone on the shaft of the penis or testicles. This lump occurs in at least 50% of the male population. Fordyce spots are a natural condition and require no special concern, are harmless, and are not contagious.
However, large, irritated bumps can signal for a sexually transmitted disease, such as festering penile warts. You should see a doctor if you have these.
It is also possible for a man to get a reddish rash on his penis. Apart from venereal disease, the skin of the penis can become irritated reddening from an allergic reaction to soap, detergents, or too much friction during sex or masturbation.
If the irritation doesn't go away within a few days, see a doctor - especially if you are sexually active. Skin irritation that doesn't go away can indicate venereal disease or ringworm - a fungal infection of the penis due to humidity. Yeast infections are fairly easy to treat and are common in uncircumcised men.
3. Size
The size of the penis varies, as does the size of the testicles. In Indonesia, the average length of an adult male's penis when erect is 12-19 centimeters. When it "withers", the length of the penis generally ranges from 5 to 10 centimeters.
Some people can gain a significant few centimeters when the penis is erect, while others only gain 1-2 centimeters in length. When cold, swimming in cold water, or even groggy, the penis can contract into the body and but will grow back when it gets warm.
All conditions of the penis are normal and healthy. This is due to the anatomy of the penis, which is half its length inside the body - like a large tree with its roots firmly in the ground. You can't see the base of the penis, which is implanted in your pelvis and sticking to your pubic bone. An erect penis actually has a boomerang shape.
The testicles of most men are uniform in size, although it is common for one side to be larger than the other. One testicle that hangs lower is also a common and not a serious medical condition.
Generally, healthy testicles should feel smooth, without lumps or lumps. Behind the testis, there is a soft "tube" called the epididymis. If you notice any strange changes in the testicles - such as one enlarged testicle and a hard lump, and pain that is suspected of testicular cancer - it is important that you get a thorough examination in the hospital.
The penis can shrink for several reasons, one of which is smoking. Smoking has an impact on the development of atherosclerosis, aka plaque buildup in the arteries. This plaque will block the blood vessels of the heart, including the blood vessels in charge of sending blood to the penis during an erection.
Blockage of blood vessels coupled with toxic chemicals from cigarettes can damage blood vessels, thus a factor in erectile dysfunction. This can cause the penis to shrink 1-2 centimeters in size due to calcification of blood vessels. Smoking also causes damage to penile tissue which can affect the ability of the penis to function normally, in addition to erectile disorders.
4. Shape
Multiple penises can hang to one side or the other. The penis can also have a slight dent, even when erect. This condition is common and does not need to be a big concern, especially if the indentation has been present in infancy. However, if your penis suddenly becomes bent - due to Peyronie's disease due to benign plaque buildup - and causes pain during sex, contact your doctor immediately.
Every time you have an erection in the morning or masturbate, this is actually the body's way of keeping the penis in shape. The penile muscles must continue to receive oxygen through the bloodstream which can cause the penis to become erect and enlarge.
If a man does not have a normal erection, the penile tissue may become less elastic and shrink, making the penis 1-2 cm shorter. But calm down, if you can still physically get an erection but don't experience it in a day, the brain has an automatic penis maintenance program.
Some people are physically unable to have an erection, such as after experiencing trauma, nerve damage, or having diabetes. In this case, a device such as a penis vacuum pump, which functions to force the penis to enlarge with blood intake, can help the man overcome erection problems to maintain a healthy penis shape.
5. Foreskin
Some men were circumcised, others were not and still have intact foreskin. Both are common in Indonesian culture. The foreskin is the thin layer of skin covering the head of the penis in uncircumcised men. When aroused, the foreskin will withdraw, exposing the head of the penis.
In order to keep the penis healthy, you need to always keep the foreskin clean. Oil, sweat, dirt, and dead skin can build up underneath to form a white or yellowish crust called smegma. Smegma is normal and nothing to worry about. Cleansing the smegma while you shower is enough to avoid yeast infection.
Like the vagina, the foreskin is an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. However, the number of bacteria will depend on whether the man is circumcised or not. A study from American Society for Microbiology mentioned, there were fewer bacteria found in the group of men who were circumcised than those who were not.
Circumcision changes the ecology of the bacteria on the penis, which may explain why it reduces the risk of HIV. In theory, anaerobic bacteria - bacteria that cannot live in the presence of oxygen - can cause the body's immune system to react in a way that makes the body's cells more susceptible to HIV infection in uncircumcised men.
6. Ejaculate
When a man is stimulated, they will ejaculate and release semen. The amount of semen per ejaculate is usually less than a teaspoon, but this varies between men.
Ejaculatory fluid is usually milky white, although some men have a slightly yellowish discharge. If ejaculation hurts or you can't ejaculate, contact your doctor immediately. The ejaculatory fluid containing blood should also be checked.
Semen has a consistency and texture that also varies. From time to time, semen can appear thicker and lumpier than usual. Generally, there is nothing to worry about. These changes are influenced by diet, nutritional intake, body water content, time to last ejaculate, and how aroused they are.
7. Sensitivity
A decrease in penile sensitivity is normal with age, although the degree to which it decreases cannot be explained in detail. Generally, the sensitivity of a penis is measured by the least amount of stimulation that can be felt - this is called the sensory threshold.
Decreased sensitivity due to age is often associated with decreased testosterone levels and changes in androgen receptor sensitivity. Sensitivity will decrease from age 25 years, while the sharpest decline is seen at age 65-75 years.
The thing you need to understand about a healthy penis is that everyone can have different conditions from one another. A healthy penis generally doesn't look uniform, so try not to worry too much or compare yourself to others.
The penis is a vital organ for men, so it is important to always maintain penis cleanliness, practice safe sex, and adopt a healthy lifestyle. If you notice any strange changes in the penis, contact your doctor immediately for further treatment.
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