Can Masturbation Relieve a Stuffy Nose?

Masturbation tends to get a bad rap, but it's an activity that the vast majority of men engage in - and enjoy tremendously. In addition to being a great way to pass a boring afternoon, masturbation may also help to relieve the stuffy nose that so many men acquire during the cold and flu season. Paying proper attention to penis care (which may include using masturbation to keep the penis in good working order) may have an impact beyond a guy's mid-section.

Penis-nose connection
 
How can masturbation help a guy get rid of a stuffy nose? There really doesn't seem to be much of a connection between the penis and the nose - beyond the fact that the nose has a vaguely phallic shape to it. And sometimes both body parts release a thick, gooey liquid.

But beyond that, there seem to be more differences than similarities. A guy rubs one for a good time, but gets little pleasure from rubbing the other. One stays firmly in place; the other swings freely. The nose is always out and about for all to see; the penis is generally more selective about where he makes an appearance.

Yet according to a 2008 paper, there is indeed a connection between these two distinct body parts.

The paper
 
The paper in question appeared in a 2008 issue of a medical journal called The Journal of Medical Hypotheses. It is entitled "Ejaculation as a potential treatment for nasal congestion in mature males."

The reasoning behind the article is actually kind of simple. As is well known, the male sexual response typically includes the phases of stimulation, erection and ejaculation. In the final phase, ejaculation, the sympathetic nervous system of the body gets kicked into high gear. When that happens, the adrenergic receptors get to working. After ejaculation, these receptors send messages that tell the blood vessels in the penis to constrict. At the same time, this message is sent to other parts of the body - including the nose.

When the nose is suffering from congestion, part of the reason is that the vessels have become inflamed, narrowing the nasal passage. Medications for stuffy noses work to cause constriction to open these passages; the paper theorizes that this same situation occurs after ejaculation.

Not just masturbation
 
Clearly, masturbation is not the only way for a man to ejaculate. Anything that causes a release of seed, including intercourse, oral sex, or a spontaneous ejaculation from especially exciting visual stimuli, can have the same effect. So a man with a stuffy nose has a whole range of enjoyable options to choose from - theoretically.

However, it seems clear that much of the time, masturbation would be the option most readily at hand, so to speak, for clearing up nasal congestion.

When a man has a stuffy nose, he often has other symptoms - and unfortunately, the hypothesis doesn't extend to positing that masturbation can cure the common cold, alleviate hay fever, banish the flu or decimate an allergy. There also haven't been any controlled studies to validate this hypothesis. Still, it does make good logical sense - and for most men, there wouldn't seem to be a downside to trying to treat that stuffy nose with a little self-gratification.

It's good to remember, though, that as fun as masturbation can be (and as potentially beneficial for a stuffy nose as it may be), sometimes guys get carried away and treat the penis a bit too roughly while giving it a workout. Regular use of a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help here. By rubbing in a crème with superior moisturizing agents like Shea butter and vitamin E, a man can soothe a sore penis and help repair topical damage that causes pain. And if that handling has caused some loss of sensation, using a crème with acetyl L-carnitine, which protects against peripheral nerve damage, can help bring proper sensitivity back to man's favorite organ.

Healthy Male Organ Inhibitor: Stress

A healthy male organ is something that every man desires. When the manhood is in good shape, a dude just naturally feels better physically - and feels better about himself, mentally. Most guys know about the physical factors that can affect male organ health, but not everyone is aware that less tangible factors, such as stress, can also impact the health of the member. In fact, stress can play a fairly large role in the wellbeing of the manhood.

Stress
In today's bustling society, stress is a common occurrence for many men (and women). The following statistics from the American Institute for Stress give an indication of how common and dangerous stress can be in American life:

- 44% of Americans feel more stressed today than five years ago.
- 60% of all illnesses have stress as a possible cause.
- 75% of visits to the doctor are for stress-related reasons.
- The cost of stress-related ailments in the U.S. is estimated at $300 billion annually.
Stress is directly implicated in many physical ailments and conditions. These include cardiac issues, hypertension, eating disorders, sleeping issues and medicine and alcohol abuse.

Stress and the male organ
Not surprisingly, the member is not immune from the effects of stress. There are several ways that stress affects an otherwise healthy male organ. The most commons stress-related issues with the manhood are:

- Member shrinkage. Men who are experiencing high levels of stress frequently find that their member is somewhat smaller than when they are feeling more at ease. Stress has a "cold shower" effect on the manhood; it is by no means permanent, but it can cause embarrassment for men who feel sensitive about the size of their endowment.

- Firmness dysfunction. Even more troubling for many men is the fact that stress often has a negative effect on one’s ability to produce and maintain a firm manhood - or on the hardness of that tumescence when maintained. The reasons for this are fairly simple. When a man feels stressed, certain hormone levels are heightened; when these particular hormones are in the blood, they cause the vessels to narrow. This in turn impedes the ability of blood to flow freely into the male organ, which is necessary for successful firmness function.

- Diminished male hormone. When stress levels go up, male hormone goes down. This can also contribute to firmness issues, as well as having a negative impact on a person's sensual drive.

Stress relief
Managing stress is crucial both for overall health and to maintain a healthy male organ. Complete stress management is an involved process, but the following are some basic tips that can help in reducing stress.

- Determine triggers. Different things set different people off; what may be intensely stressful for one man may be only mildly troubling for another and have absolutely no effect on a third. Identifying causes of stress is the first step in diffusing it.

- Pick out areas of control. Some stress triggers are largely out of one's control; others are such that an individual can make changes. Identifying these and developing strategies to deal with them is important. (For example, if driving through traffic to work causes stress, try to find a different route or see if there are options such as car-pooling or public transportation to consider.)

- Find relaxation systems. Meditation, yoga, tai-chi and massage are among the methods many use to boost relaxation and hinder stress. Finding ways to obtain true relaxation can make a sizable impact on an individual's stress levels.

- Keep a healthy male organ. A man will stress out less if his manhood is kept in overall good health. Daily application of a quality male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) helps maintain that health. Especially beneficial is a crème with L-arginine, which boosts nitric oxide production and thereby keeps male organ blood vessels open for increased blood flow. In addition, the crème must include vitamin D. This vitamin is called the "miracle vitamin" for its role in keeping cell functionality at a high level. Using Man1 Man Oil helps keep the member supple and fit - giving a man one less thing to worry about.

Erect Penis through the Sense of Smell: Arousing Scents

Smells and scents have long been associated with sexual response (hence the overuse of cologne by nervous teen-age boys on a first date); now it turns out that some of the aromas that make for an erect penis are not what one might expect. And so in some sense, appropriate penis care should extend beyond the mid-section and all the way up to the nose.

Traditional scents
 
Before moving on to some of the more surprising arousing scents, it pays to have a refresher on the tried-and-true aromas associated with aphrodisiacal powers.

- Musk - One of the most popular scents for getting both men and women in the mood, musk originally was obtained from the glands of male deer. In more recent times, it has been formulated from many different animal and plant-based sources. The distinctive scent is popular as the base for many perfumes and colognes. However, some people nowadays find musk a little "overdone."

- Vanilla - The sweet scent of vanilla has a subtle tang to it. Inhaling the aroma causes an arousing reaction while simultaneously lowering stress levels - a potent combination.

- Lavender - There's something about the scent of lavender which really connects with men. Studies indicate that it has a very relaxing effect on men, making them more at ease and therefore more in the mood for sexual experiences.

- Jasmine - There's a reason that so many women's perfumes contain jasmine in varying amounts. Many women find that jasmine helps to increase a man's level of interest - even when he's a bit tired.

Surprising scents
 
In 2014, a study was done on how a number of different scents affected the flow of blood to the penis. Since penile blood flow is an important component of penile strength and function, it's obvious why an association with increased blood flow could make an aroma especially interesting to men. Among the most powerful smells to be measured were the following:

- Pumpkin pie - Yes, the scent associated with holidays like Thanksgiving was highest on the list of man-friendly scents. According to the study, inhaling the smell of pumpkin pie typically results in an average increase of blood flow to the penis of 40%! If a man feels especially ready for a roll in the hay after dessert on Turkey Day, this may very well be the reason why.

- Popcorn (with butter) - That little extra bulge in a guy's pants after the movies may not just result from watching a drop-dead gorgeous Hollywood star onscreen. Buttered popcorn seems to increase penile blood flow by about 9% - which is pretty impressive.

- Pizza - College men are well-known for eating tons of pizza. They're also well-known for being basically "ready for action" at the drop of a hat. Is there a connection? Sure, the fact that they are in the prime of their sexual lives is the main factor. But the delicious smell of plain old cheese pizza also rated high on the manhood blood flow meter.

A healthy penis is going to respond to many different stimuli, including arousing scents. It therefore pays for a man to make sure that his manhood is healthy and sports a proper physical appearance. Using a top-drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) is an easy way to help maintain that health. Just as some scents can be appealing, others can be off-putting - and persistent penis odor is one that derails many a potential relationship. A crème that contains vitamin A, with its potent anti-bacterial properties, is ideal for battling unwanted manhood odor. And while scents may help increase penis blood flow, it's wise to bolster the blood vessels by using a crème with L-arginine. This enzyme helps produce nitric oxide, which in turn helps keep penile blood vessels open for that increased flow.

Dry Penis Skin: Connected to Liver Health?

Some doctors believe that the penis is a barometer of a man's overall health and that issues that affect the penis - such as chronically dry penis skin - should be looked at to see if they indicate any larger problems. With this in mind, is it possible that something like dry penis skin could give a clue as to how healthy another body part is - such as perhaps the liver? It's interesting to think, and important to note, that paying attention to penis health could have benefits beyond the pleasure one derives from the penis at play.

Why should there be a connection between the state of one's penis skin and the state of one's liver? It's hard to imagine that these two organs - one internal, one external, with functions that are so different from one another - could be connected in some way. Yet there is a basis for this.

What does the liver do?
 
Everyone knows the liver is vitally important, yet most people don't know what it does. In fact, the liver plays a huge role in the metabolic processes that keep the body functioning at a healthy level.
Among its most important functions are taking the nutrients that one gets from food and drink and converting them into substances that are in the right form for the body to make efficient use of. It then stores these substances until there is a need for them, at which time it sends them on their way to the cells in need.

Another crucial role it plays: taking toxins - substances that are not useful to and are potentially harmful to the body - and either de-toxifying them (so they are basically harmless) or making sure they get sent out of the body.

Poor liver function
 
If the liver doesn't function properly, it means the body doesn't get the good substances it needs and/or it gets bad substances (toxins) that can harm it. The body then needs to find another way to rid itself of the toxins that the liver isn't handling. And often it does that by secreting the toxins through the skin.

And that's where dry skin comes in. Often when the body is called upon to get rid of these toxins through sweat, the toxins then create a skin reaction. Dermatitis, eczema, wrinkling, acne and red, itchy rashes are just a few of the ways that inappropriate toxin release manifests.

Penis sweating
 
Many men can testify that sweating is common around the penis. There's a reason for this. The penis and testicles tend to be among the warmest parts of the body. Part of this is biological. The thick mane of hair surrounding the penis creates natural insulation. In addition, the penis skin is very thin, in order to allow proper growth during the erect phase, and the rate of blood flow is high in the penis. These also contribute to the generation of heat.

Location adds to the sweatiness. The fact that the organ is nestled between the thighs and usually hidden between two layers of clothes creates extra heat. All of this means that the penis tends to create a great deal of sweat - and therefore to release toxins if the liver is not functioning at its full capacity.

Does that mean that a man with dry penis skin automatically has a liver issue? Absolutely not - but if it is chronic, he may want to bring his concerns to the attention of his physician, in order to determine if there is any connection in his particular case.

Most often there is not a connection with a serious liver condition - but that still leaves a man with a dry penis to deal with. Fortunately, using a first-rate penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help. A crème that includes both a high-end emollient (like Shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E) offers double-barreled moisturizing that can soothe and repair dry, damaged skin. Add extra protection by selecting a crème with a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, which offsets harmful oxidative processes and smooths wrinkled appearances. Paying attention to penis health has multiple benefits for a man, including better look and feel.

Erect Penis Pleasure: Handjob Tips for Women

It's no secret that men enjoy intercourse tremendously, but it's also true that sometimes a friendly old-fashioned handjob makes for a very welcome change of sexual pace. Basically, an erect penis only wants to be satisfied, and a man can often find great pleasure in simply being a passive receiver of pleasurable sensations rather than an active participant in the way that intercourse requires. And assuming that the man practices good penis care, his equipment should present the kind of appealing physical appearance that will not deter a woman from taking matters into her own hands.
Most men have rarely met a handjob they didn't like. That said, there are some things that a woman can do to make sure that the manual manipulation she employs is as pleasurable as possible for the man on the receiving end of her ministrations.

Remove all obstacles
 
Before starting on one's fondling, it's a good idea to remove any rings or other objects that are on the hand. The nerves in the penis are highly sensitive, and hard metal rubbing against it can cause considerable discomfort.

Get lubed.
 
An erect penis produces a fair amount of natural lubricant, but more is typically needed for a manual masturbation. Have on hand some form of lubrication so that the friction factor does not become excessive. Applying the lubricant can become part of the activity; rather than pour or squeeze it into her hands, a woman can place it directly on the penis and then rub it into her hands from there. The man will definitely like that.

Change things up.
 
Many women (and men) think a handjob means making a fist with one hand and just pumping away until an orgasm is achieved. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but there's also nothing wrong with adding a little variation. Switching hands can prevent a woman's arm from getting sore and can vary the stimulation for the man as well. Varying the stroke and the tightness of the grip is also recommended. Sometimes it's even fun to lightly bat the erect penis around from one hand to the other.

Don't get shafted.
 
It's easy to focus a handjob strictly on the shaft of the manhood, but a man will enjoy it more if a woman also spends time on the head of the member. The greatest concentration of nerve endings is located in the top, so that's where sensitivity is greatest. Rubbing, squeezing and stroking the top inch or so can drive a man wild with pleasure.

The underside of the glans, where it connects to the shaft, is the frenulum. This is another especially sensitive area. Focusing special attention on this section of the organ is greatly appreciated by a man - as his moans will clearly convey.

Ask for guidance.
 
A woman shouldn't be afraid to ask her man to tell her what he likes. She can do this before beginning a handjob or during the procedure. Sometimes it helps to ask a man to masturbate for her so that she can see the way that he handles his penis and what kind of stroking, massaging, etc. produces the most pleasure.

The above tips can make a handjob much more enjoyable for a man. But what if his erect penis doesn't inspire a woman to touch it? It may pay to subtly suggest to a male partner that he start using a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). A member that features dry or flaky skin needs help in staying moisturized, and a crème with a high-end emollient (such as Shea butter) and a potent hydrator (such as vitamin E) can help solve that problem. Another possible deterrent: a manhood that emits an unpleasantly strong odor. Here, a crème with the strong anti-bacterial qualities of vitamin A can make a big difference. Gently explaining to a man that there are some small issues like these that can be handled with the easy use of a crème like Man1 Man Oil is in both his and a partner’s best interests.

Sex Tips: Erotic Games for Extra Fun

Any purveyor of sex tips will soon learn one basic fact: often couples need to forget they're adults and add a little fun and whimsy to their sexual escapades. Erotic games are one of the most enjoyable ways of doing this. And adding playfulness to one's sex life is also a part of good penis care; after all, even the most dedicated manhood can find itself in a rut, and that's not good for its health.

Sex tips recommend variety.
 
Many sex tips emphasize variety as the key to keeping a sexual relationship moving forward, but that doesn't mean a couple has to wait until they are feeling a bit bored with their routine to mix it up. Playing erotic games at any stage of a relationship can generate excitement and bonding.

But what kind of games might one choose? There are any number of options, including:

- 21 strokes. This is essentially playing the game of poker known as 21 or Blackjack. Players are each dealt two cards and may then ask for more cards if they desire. The goal is to reach 21 points or get as close to it without getting more than 21. In this variation, each player gets his penis stroked or her vagina rubbed by the other partner; the number of strokes depends on the cards they get. So if the man gets 20 and the woman gets 21, the woman strokes his penis 20 times and he rubs her clitoris 21 times. This can be an excellent game to initiate and guide foreplay. (Another variation - rather than stroking, the players lick or otherwise orally gratify their partner's organ.)

- Nude charades. There are many ways to play nude charades, but this is a good one to try. A number of categories are decided upon. As each category is called, then players use their partner's body to illustrate an object in the category. For example, if the category is "Fruits," the female might take the male's penis in her hands and mime peeling it like a banana. The male, in turn, might fondle the woman's breasts in such a way as to suggest apples.

- 20 distracted questions. A variation on the familiar guessing game, the woman picks a noun that falls into the category of being either animal, vegetable or mineral. The man then asks yes-or-no questions to determine what it is. The difference here is that the entire time that the male is asking questions, his penis is being fondled and orally pleasured by the woman. The goal is to see if he can guess the answer before he ejaculates. Manual and oral stimulation can be performed on the woman as she takes her turn as the asker.

- I spy excitedly. In a regular game of "I Spy," one player picks out an object (perhaps one that is red) and says "I spy something red." The other players then have to guess what that something is. The rules are the same here, but in this version, the partner who is guessing has to overcome a little distraction: having a vibrator gently run across his or her genitals. As with the other guessing game, the goal is to make a correct guess before being sent over the edge of orgasm.

As is probably clear, the range of erotic games is limited only by the participants' imagination - and most sex tips tell us that imagination is the key to a healthy sex life. But it also helps is a man has fit and healthy penis as well, and using a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can definitely aid in penis health maintenance. Erotic games may get a little out of hand occasionally, resulting perhaps in some rough play that might cause de-sensitization of the penis. But using a crème with a neuroprotective ingredient like acetyl L-carnitine can help to prevent that loss of sensation. It also helps to select a crème with vitamin C, as that vitamin is a great help in terms of collagen production and penile tissue firmness. With a healthy manhood at hand, a man is that much more prepared for fun and games with his partner.

Penis Pain and Sports: Taking Precautions

Sports are often a big part of an active man’s life and are important for many in maintaining their overall physical health. Yet on occasion sports activities can be a cause of penis pain, definitely an unwanted consequence. Part of proper penis health includes thinking of ways to prevent and treat penis pain related to sports activities.

Sports injuries
 
Because sports by definition involve physical activity and contact (either with another person or with an object, such as a ball), there is always the potential for some form of injury. Fortunately, groin injuries make up only an estimated 2 to 5 percent of all sports injuries. Yet the penis pain that accompanies such an injury makes them well worth avoiding.

With that in mind, the following tips can help avoid penis injury from sports.

- Warm it up. One of the most common causes of sports-related penis pain is lack of sufficient warm-up before engaging in physical activity. This is especially true for those involved in track-related sports, or even simply jogging; however, it can apply just as easily to football, basketball, etc. Engaging in a range of stretching warm-ups can help prevent a "groin pull" that can cause long-lasting pain.

- Ride right. Many cyclists suffer from penis numbness, especially during long-distance races. The numbness is a problem in itself, but it can also cause a man to experience a physical injury in the groin without being aware of it. There are numerous things a man can do to help prevent this, including wearing properly padded bike shorts; angling the saddle and handlebars properly; shifting weight and standing up occasionally while riding; and shortening rides as necessary.

- Wear a cup. This is a no-brainer, but many guys - especially amateur athletes - neglect to wear a proper athletic cup, even when engaging in "rough" sports like football. It’s true that a jock can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable; however, the extra protection that it affords the groin is invaluable.

- Avoid the itch. Jock itch is a common issue for many athletes (whether they wear a cup or not). Penis skin issues can range from a minor annoyance to actual pain, so avoiding jock itch and other dermatological issues in the groin is key. Athletes can reduce the chances of jock itch by bathing after a practice or game; drying the area promptly and well after bathing; changing into fresh cotton underwear after engaging in sports; and not sharing towels or clothing with other men.

Treatment
 
What about treating penis pain from sports injuries? Allowing the penis to rest is important; the period of rest time depends upon the severity of the injury. Applying something cold (a cold compress, a bag of frozen peas, etc.) for 10-15 minutes several times a day can also help. (Make sure to wrap the cold object in a cloth so that it does not come in direct contact with the penis skin.) Wearing briefs is also recommended, as that should lend more support to the organ.

Sports-related penis pain also will respond better to treatment if the organ is being kept in good overall health. Using a top-drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can be a big plus here. First, make sure the chosen crème is going to keep the skin properly hydrated; this not only prevents dermatological issues but keeps the organ supple so that it resists irritation. A crème with both a natural moisturizer (such as vitamin E) and a high-end emollient (such as Shea butter) is the best bet for hydration. In addition, find a crème with L-arginine. This enzyme aids in nitric oxide production, which in turn helps penile blood vessels to relax and expand, increasing oxygenation. A well-oxygenated penis is a much healthier organ. Regular use of Man1 Man Oil can help maintain proper manhood health and aid in recovery from common sports injuries involving the penis.