Ingrown Hair on the Penis 101: What, Why, and How to Get Rid of Them

When a man sees bumps on his penis, it’s likely he might worry he has a communicable disease. However, one of the most common causes of these little annoyances are ingrown hairs on the penis. Thankfully, ingrown hairs aren't serious. There are many reasons they pop up and even more ways to treat and prevent them. But they can be irritating and embarrassing. Let’s breakdown theses pesky bumps on the penis and how to banish them from the bush.

What are Ingrown Hairs?

Ingrown hairs are hairs that have somehow curled up and grown back into the skin rather than rising up from it. This then irritates the skin and produces a raised, often red bump on the penis that resembles a pimple. If it gets infected, it can evolve into a painful, angry, sometimes puss-filled sore.

Ingrown hairs can appear anywhere on the body where hair follicles reside. Ingrown hairs on the penis, however, are probably the most painful simply because of the compression of pants and constant rubbing the area often is subject to during the day.

How Do Ingrown Hairs on the Penis Happen?

Ingrown hairs on the penis often happen as the result of manscaping with a clipper, shaver, or razor. Often times, a cluster will show up in an area. Sometimes, dead skin can clog a hair follicle which then forces the hair to grow sideways and under the skin.

Any man can get an get an ingrown hair on his penis, but the problem is more common for people with curly and course hair types. Since the hair is already curly, it is more likely to curl back into the skin. People with high-levels of certain hormones can also have excessive hair growth which can also increase the likelihood of ingrown hairs on the penis. Men of African-American and Latino heritage are also more likely to have painful ingrown hairs.

Treatment

Oftentimes, an ingrown hair will retreat on its own. However, if it doesn’t, it can get infected resulting in an angry, dark red or purple bump on the penis that may need intervention. The best way to treat an ingrown hair on the penis is to start by not picking or scratching at it which can cause infection. Sometimes a doctor will need to use a small needle or scalpel to release the hair or prescribe a retinoid to bring down the swelling and irritation. It works by removing the dead skin cells and release the hair.

Prevention

There are several ways to prevent ingrown hairs. Here are a few:

- Exfoliate prior to shaving using a gentle scrub on the area around the penis (not on it). Exfoliate gently, but with purpose to “tease out” the more stubborn ingrown hairs.

- Shave with a single-bladed razor. The more blades, the higher instance of nicks and ingrown hairs.

- Wet this skin with warm water for two minutes prior to shaving, then apply a shaving oil or gel. Shave in the direction of hair growth using as few strokes as possible.

- When using an electric razor, hold it slight above the area being shaved.

- Apply a cool washcloth to the area to reduce irritation and close the pores after shaving.

Some people also opt to wax or depil hair. People with a high likelihood or low tolerance for ingrown hairs can have the hair permanently removed with a special laser. Other men choose to use a specially formulated male organ health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) that contains vitamins and amino acids which fortify and protect the skin. These crèmes provide protection from the elements and promote cellular regeneration, decreasing the buildup of dead cells which can cause ingrown hairs on the penis.

Male Organ Size and Pleasure Satisfaction: A Connection?

Even many men who sport a respectable endowment in the manhood department sometimes fantasize about having a larger member - in spite of the fact that male organ size is far less important in bed than male organ health and one’s skill with the equipment. And men do tend to associate male organ size with sensual satisfaction of a partner, especially when they are influenced by the monster-sized endowments found in so many adult videos. But does that association between male organ size and sensual satisfaction extend to the owners of the manhood themselves? According to at least one study, the answer is yes.

Context

Before exploring this study, it’s important to look at the context of male organ size and sensual satisfaction in terms of one’s partner or partners. Numerous surveys have shown that, within reason, most female partners are satisfied with the size of the members they encounter sensually. Yes, in some extreme cases a manhood can be so small as to create problems providing satisfaction on its own. In other extreme cases, male organ size can be so large as to create a painful sensual situation. But in the vast majority of cases, a typical male organ size is perfectly capable of providing pleasure, when used with appropriate skill.

But looking at the question totally from the male point of view, does a man’s perception of his male organ size have a positive or negative impact on how satisfied he is with the sensual engagement he gets?

The study

This 2017 study appeared in the Archives of Sensual Behavior and is entitled "Characterization of (Equipment) Dissatisfaction in a National Sample of U.S. Men." It looked at almost 4,000 men who completed the IMGI questionnaire, which gathered information on how men view their male organ and surrounding areas.

Overall, men were generally satisfied with their basic sensual equipment. However, 27% said that they wished their member was longer when in its flaccid state, and 19% felt the same way about the length of their firm manhood. When it came to width, about 15% would have liked to have more girth. (In non-male organ size-related issues, 14% had complaints about their pubic hair and only 44% considered male organ odor a personal issue.) Overall, 14% of men gave their general male equipment dissatisfaction a very low rating, most of which was due to concerns - legitimate or not - about their male organ size.

Those who had such low satisfaction were less likely to have satisfaction in their sensual activities - and also in general engaged in sensual activities less frequently than those who were more satisfied with their member. For example, about 73.5% percent of dissatisfied men were sensually active, compared to over 86% of men who were more satisfied with their manhoods.

Common sense

This makes sense. Lower sensual satisfaction may be due to self-esteem issues which can affect one’s performance in bed or one’s ability to attract a partner into bed, and these self-esteem issues could in many cases extend to feelings about one’s manhood its appearance and its size.

Men who have a normal male organ size and still feel disproportionately dissatisfied with it may wish to seek some professional help to learn ways to more properly appreciate their member. Learning to view one’s member in a more realistic perspective can help with problems of self-esteem and sensual dissatisfaction.

Male organ size and sensual satisfaction can be primarily in one’s mind, but male organ health is another matter. Maintaining that health by regular use of a quality male organ health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) is necessary. Look for a crème that contains vitamins A and C, which respectively help fight member odor and help give manhood skin the tone and elasticity needed for male organ tumescences. In addition, a superlative crème will also contain L-arginine, which helps boost nitric oxide production and consequently can better enable male organ blood vessels to expand when needed.

Self-Gratification Pros and Cons: Health Benefits vs. Risks

It seems only yesterday that self-gratification was either talked about only in secret or was considered the butt of a joke. Once considered taboo, there were several myths and old wives’ tale about self-pleasure that proclaimed that self-gratification could make someone go blind, lose their fertility, or grow hairy palms.

Let's take away the myth and shame and get down to what self-gratification is, what the benefits are, what to watch out for, and how to keep the member is in good shape.

What is Self-gratification?

Self-gratification is a healthy practice in which a person intimately touches their own genitals for pleasure. People self-pleasure for many different reasons, for everything from relaxation to learning about their own bodies. It’s an entirely healthy and normal practice for males and females alike.

Pros of Self-gratification

There are several pros to engaging in self-gratification. Here is a list of the five most common benefits of self-gratification.

1) Release Sensual Tension. The most obvious benefit is to release sensual tension. This can happen anywhere between two people, and if not remedied, can result in paralyzing anxiety and performance fails. Remember that quip in There’s Something About Mary, when Chris Elliot advises Ben Stiller not to go on his date "with a loaded gun," and encourages him to take care of himself first? This is what he was talking about.

2) Reduces Stress. Self-gratification has been shown to lower blood pressure and release dopamine into the system, creating a relaxed mood.

3) Improves Sleep. Many men self-pleasure before bed to get quality shut-eye. Research shows that coming releases a slew of sleep-friendly brain chemicals into the system, most notably norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin, vasopressin, nitric oxide and the hormone prolactin. These all cause the body to relax and make the person feel safe; and they also trigger the release of melatonin, the primary hormone that regulates sleep.

4) Improves Body Awareness and Self-Esteem. Self-gratification has also been shown to help people be more in touch with and feel better about their bodies, promote intimacy, and improve communication regarding likes, desires, and dislikes with a partner.

Cons of Self-gratification

While self-gratification is a healthy, positive practice, too much can cause a lot of trouble in a man’s life. Here are a few of the most common drawbacks.

1) Disrupting Daily Life. When self-gratification is a man’s sole focus, he may do irreparable damage his daily life. Missing work, avoiding social events, and using it as a way to avoid relationships are just a few of the ways a man who is stroking excessively will interrupt his life.

2) Chafing. Too much of a good thing is just too much! Even with lubricant, overworking the manhood can cause irritation and chafing, making any contact quite painful.

3) Loss of Sensitivity. As a man’s self-gratification frequency increases, he often has to raise the intensity in order to come. This often results in "death grip," which is where a man grips the member so tightly that it becomes desensitized. Not only is it an ever-growing problem, but intimacy with a partner becomes less pleasurable and often, even initial arousal is difficult.

4) Feelings of Guilt or Shame. Whether it's due to religion, upbringing, trauma or abuse, or from a partner, some men feel guilty or ashamed of self-gratification. A man who feels this way may want to see a therapist to work through these feelings to enjoy a healthy relationship with self-pleasure.

Self-gratification and Male organ health

Self-gratification is a healthy activity that not only feels good but also strengthens and tones the body. Also, men who come regularly have been shown to have lesser instances of prostate cancer. Regular self-pleasure can also enhance intimate relationships with partners.

Men should be sure to properly care for their member after self-gratification. Clean with a mild soap, rise, and apply a moisturizer. Men should use a specially designed male organ health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to keep the member soft, smooth, and ready for action. Look for a crème packed with vitamins A, C, D, and E, which are well-known for their skin-soothing and strengthening properties. Be sure to select a crème that also has a natural base like Shea butter which locks in moisture and keeps it from dryness.

Controlling Male Organ Odor Caused by Alcohol

For many, this summer has been an especially hot one - and more than a few dudes have addressed that heavy heat situation by knocking back a fair share of cold ones. While a frosty beer can feel especially good when the temperature soars, it’s possible that imbibing alcohol - whether in the form of beer, wine or liquor - can contribute to a male organ odor situation in some men. And since rank male organ odor is a major male organ health concern for many, and since the summer weather can also contribute to increased levels of male organ odor, guys may want to take some steps to address this problem.

Alcohol and male organ odor

To be fair, alcohol intake doesn’t create male organ odor alone; rather, consumption of alcohol, especially in large quantities, is associated with increased body odor all around, include the manhood. The nasty tinge that alcohol can provide to a person’s breath - especially the morning after sinking a few too many - is already well known. But alcohol can in some cases create an odor which permeates the body itself.

This alcohol-based body odor is more typically found among people who habitually overindulge in alcohol. For an alcoholic, the result can be an aroma that lingers on a long-term basis, and a thorough "drying out" is necessary before the smell goes away.

But for the casual alcohol consumer, the issue usually occurs from the occasional "binge," in which a man who usually drinks only a small amount of alcohol at a time goes overboard and drinks substantially more than usual. Typically, when a person drinks in moderation, the body metabolizes about 90% of the alcohol. The remaining 10% or so gets passed from the body through urination and sweat. But if a man drinks too much alcohol at one time, the body metabolizes a smaller percentage, and more and more leaves the body through sweat.

The sweat-delivered alcohol has a distinct and unpleasant aroma, and when it leaves the body through sweat around the member, the resulting male organ odor can be especially rank.

What to do

Clearly, the easiest way to avoid this particular male organ odor problem is to not drink. (And if a person is a problem drinker, getting professional help to stop drinking can make a big difference in much more important areas than male organ odor control.) But for the casual drinker, there are some ways to help reduce the degree of alcohol-related male organ odor.

- Pace yourself. Leaving time between drinks gives the body more time to metabolize more of the alcohol.

- Drink water. Staying well hydrated also helps with the metabolization. Drinking a glass of water between beers can make a difference. It also transfers more of the alcohol to the urinary system, so less is available to be eliminate through skin pores.

- Don’t drink on an empty stomach. By the same token, some food helps to absorb a portion of the alcohol.

- Don’t mix drinks. Odors tend to be stronger when there are several different alcohols in the mix.

- Maintain male organ health. Fighting male organ odor caused by alcohol intake is much easier when the manhood itself is in good shape. One easy way to work toward this goal is the daily application of a first rate male organ health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Among the many ingredients that an effective crème should contain is vitamin A. This vitamin is renowned for its anti-bacterial properties, and these can help to eliminate persistent male organ odor. The crème should also contain alpha lipoic acid. This is a potent antioxidant and is needed in order to limit any oxidative stress damage that can come from the presence of excess free radicals.

Male Organ Odor: Poor Hygiene, or Medical Condition?

Managing male organ health is important for a man, and while it generally is not something that is especially time-consuming, it pays off. As every man knows, one of the most common issues involves male organ odor. When the odor is especially strong and unpleasant, it can create problems with partners and potential partners; it can also simply be embarrassing to a man in social situations if a fishy male organ odor wafts out from underneath his clothing.

There can be multiple factors behind a persistent male organ odor; one of the lesser-known of these is a disorder called trimethylaminuria.

What is trimethylaminuria?

The word "trimethylaminuria" is a daunting mouthful. Perhaps for that reason, the condition is often commonly referred to by the (very appropriate) name "fish odor syndrome." As one might surmise, a person with trimethylaminuria emits an odor with a pronounced fishy smell to it. This smell is not restricted to the member but can in fact be a total body odor situation. But in men, it’s often stronger when emanating from the manhood.

Trimethylaminuria is a genetic disorder, which means it is something a person is born with rather than something he catches from someone or something else. Typically, a person inherits this disorder when both of his parents carry the gene for it. However, that does not mean that every person born from two carriers will have the condition.

When a person has trimethylaminuria, their body lacks the ability to properly convert a compound called trimethylamine into something called trimethylamine oxide. Trimethylamine is a naturally-occurring compound that comes from the food we eat. In most people, when trimethylamine enters the digestive process, it gets converted into trimethylamine oxide and is dispersed that way. When it does not get converted, it builds up in the body. As it does so, it releases the strong, fishy odor that gives the condition its nickname. That odor can be found on the skin (thanks to sweat) and often in the breath, urine and reproductive fluid.

Fortunately, trimethylaminuria is a rare condition - and it is even rarer among men than among women. But some men do have it, and it can make for a decidedly unpleasant male organ odor situation.

What to do

While the odor associated with trimethylaminuria is unpleasant and problematic, the condition does not cause any damage or true health concerns. There is no cure for it, so people with this disorder must learn to manage it as well as possible.

Typically, management concentrates on making sure hygiene is maintained at an appropriately high level. This might include numerous baths or showers each day. Often, individuals will utilize perfumes, colognes or other scents to help mask the odor. This can be very problematic when the odor is manhood-based, as the delicate skin down there can be damaged by exposure to such chemicals.

Some doctors recommend treatment via antibiotics (in low doses). Other treatment options include making dietary changes that help reduce the odor. One study recommends supplements of activated charcoal and copper chlorophyllin to help manage the issue.

Even men without trimethylaminuria may suffer from a significant male organ odor problem, so utilizing a first rate male organ health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) regularly is advised. A crème with vitamin A can supply anti-bacterial properties that reduce the odor-causing impact of some bacteria in the private area. In addition, the crème should contain a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen the skin and therefore make it resistant to other odor-causing topical issues. Alpha lipoic acid, which battles oxidative stress, is an excellent antioxidant to look for in a creme.

Male Organ Evolution: The Development of the Male Anatomy

A man’s member is a source of endless pride - and, let’s face it, fascination. Especially as a youth, males tend to spend a great deal of time studying and exploring their tool. And why not? Such activity helps a man better understand this important body part and become an expert at understanding how it works. That hopefully paves the way for better male organ care throughout his life. But though many men are anxious to understand how their member works and what they can do to make it work even better, not many really understand how the male organ came to be the way it is. Not their individual manhood, of course, but the human male organ itself.

The animal kingdom

Although there are some similarities from the organ of one animal to the next, there also can be great variety. For example, snakes and lizards have not one, but two. Most birds do not have one, although there are exceptions, such as ducks, geese, and ostriches.

What about mammals, of which humans are a part? Organs are very common in mammals, although they have significant variation. For example, almost all mammalian organs have a bone. It’s unusual in that, unlike most bones, it doesn’t connect to the main skeleton. Instead, the bone lies unconnected in the shaft.

Not a true boner

But that’s not the case with the human male organ. Men don’t have a bone. Neither do horses or cattle, but almost all other mammals do.

Scientists believe the bone plays a couple of roles in other mammals. In some species, it’s believed it may help to trigger ovulation, while in others it helps ensure that entry occurs even if the female is not prepared. Clearly, that is not a function that would be viewed favorably by women! But the most interesting theory is that it allows the male to remain inserted for a considerable period of time after intense point. This gives his seed more time to reach their desired target before another male has a chance to penetrate and add his seed to the mix.

Size (of course)

Men compare their size to that of other men all the time, but how do humans stack up to other animals? Well, men can’t compare to the over-achieving likes of the barnacle, whose organ is 40 times the size of its entire body. But when it comes to other primates, men are indeed impressive. When proportions are taken into account, the chimpanzee organ is about half the size of the human, and the gorilla’s is even smaller.

The shape is also unusual. Humans are unique in having the bell-shaped head at the end of the shaft.

And it appears that both the greater length and the bell-shaped head of the human male organ have an evolutionary function similar to the missing bone: to increase the chance of impregnation. The greater length allows the male organ to reach much deeper inside the female, thus making the reproductive fluid trip from the organ to the egg shorter. And the shape of the head helps displace the lingering seed of a previous male visitor, again increasing the chances for the more recent male to achieve impregnation.

The human member has evolved to its present form over many thousands of years - and proper upkeep has also evolved. It is strongly urged that men daily apply a superior male organ health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) to maintain the organ’s health. Ideally, the crème should contain a range of vitamins, such as A, B5, C, D and E, which can more effectively benefit the manhood through topical application. In addition, the best crème will include L-arginine, an amino acid which is a significant aid in keeping blood vessels open and receptive.