Penis Size Issues: The Downside of a Big Penis

Is there a man alive who isn’t aware of the emphasis placed on penis size in modern culture? While this is hardly a situation unique to the 21^st century, there arguably is greater desire among men to possess a big penis than in the past. Sure, most men know that the heft of their junk is but one factor in an active and satisfying sex life, and that other factors, such as penis health and skills in the sack, are of greater overall importance in the long term. Nevertheless, men tend to want a big penis - despite the fact that being big is not always a blessing.

What downside?

Men who are modestly built may think that a man with a larger endowment has no right to complain. After all, isn’t being able to display an impressive package half the battle when it comes to pleasurable sex? For many, the psychological effect that a massive member produces in a partner "jump starts" the sexual excitement portion of the sex game. And don’t men with a large manhood have greater confidence, which translates into lower performance anxiety?

Maybe, maybe not

Actually, neither of those suppositions is necessarily true. While men tend to think that the mere physical presentation of an impressively sized member automatically stimulates a partner, the reverse can be true. Some partners may shrink away from an oversize penis, fearful that it may prove painful.

The same can be true of the cockiness that is assumed to be part and parcel of having an ample endowment. Some men may feel that the mere size of their member means that they are expected to perform like a superman. They may have a hard time living up to what they feel is expected of them and may, in some cases have as much, or even more, performance anxiety than a man with a penis of typical size.

Other issues

There can be other concerns that arise for a man with a big penis. For example, some such men find that shorter women may be more put off by the exceptionally sized penis, forcing them to look only for taller women as potential partners. And since there are fewer taller women, their potential dating pool is thereby limited.

Then there’s the issue of penile identification. When a man is known for his exceptional penis size, he may find that partners are more interested in one part of his anatomy than in him as a whole person. This can hamper his ability to establish long term meaningful relationships.

Wardrobe can also be a concern. Sure, some guys like to let the world know of their special size, but sporting a massive and clearly visible erection at inopportune times can have a negative impact at work or in some social situations. Therefore, a man may have to choose clothes that don’t flatter him or underwear that is more restrictive than is really comfortable.

Finally, the excess size can lead to over-friction during sex, whether penetrative or manual. And that leads to a sore penis, which no man enjoys.

Working through issues with a big penis requires a partner that is willing to be supportive and understanding. Even so, the friction issue can continue to be a problem for some men.

Those men whose penis size is exceptional and do experience special big penis-related friction really need to take special steps. Regular use of a top notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can be a big bonus when dealing with a sore penis. Excess friction often de-sensitizes the penis, so a crème that includes acetyl L carnitine, a neuroprotective ingredient, is a must. This ingredient can help restore diminished sensitivity from rough handling. The presence of vitamin C is also handy, for its role in collagen production. Most importantly, be sure the crème includes hydrating agents like shea butter and vitamin E to properly heal and soothe sensitive, sore skin.

The Masturbation Position: Is There a “Best” Technique?

Most men develop some sort of preferred routine when it comes to masturbation, including when and where they most enjoy doing it, how long, with what aid, and, of course, in which position. Certainly men do tend to switch it up on occasion, but over time, there tends to be some consistency in these areas. However, when it comes to position, are there reasons to switch it up more often? Those men who are interested in proper penis care may want to consider this and possibly make some modifications to their routine in order to prevent desensitization, or worse, injury.

The basics
 
While there are variations on what position a man may take during masturbation, these are essentially the six "basics," along with a discussion of the pros and cons of each:

- Standing. Masturbating while standing (usually with the feet shoulder-length apart and with the knees often bent and/or the pelvis thrust slightly forward) is a classic position. Standing is especially good when one is looking to perform a "quickie;" for lengthier masturbation sessions, it can become rather tiring. Masturbating while standing at the toilet tends to make clean-up easier, as the semen can drop into the bowl; it’s also the preferred way to masturbate in the shower, although one must be careful of falling while so engaged.

- Sitting. Probably the most popular position, due to the amount of computer pornography that is used during masturbation. Sitting in front of a screen provides a man with ample opportunity to view stimulating material. It’s also easier to engage in lengthy masturbation sessions while seated. However, most men masturbate at the computer in a "shoulders hunched" position, and over time this can be bad on the back and neck. Also, men who place a laptop too close to the crotch run the risk of heat from the laptop damaging sperm production.

- Lying on the back. Before the advent of computer pornography, this may very well have been the most popular position - and it’s still way up there. This is probably the most comfortable way to masturbate, especially if a man is using only his imagination and his hand. Those lying down in bed with a laptop or printed pornography may be twisting their bodies in some ways which may provide strain.

- Lying on the front. Lying prone and masturbating the penis by rubbing it against the sheets allows for an approximation of the act of penetrative sex. Sometimes, however, this can add too much friction for the penis and may make it rather raw.

- Kneeling. Unless one’s legs are sufficiently strong, this can produce some strain for lengthy sessions.

- On all fours (or threes). In this position, a man gets down on all fours, then uses one hand to masturbate while steadying himself on the other. Unless one has sufficient arm strength, this is a position which is best for shorter masturbation excursions.

So which position is best in terms of penis care? That largely depends on the individual, but lying prone, as mentioned, can create a sore penis. Those which require a quick road to ejaculation may cause a man to masturbate too vigorously or grip too tightly, which may result in rawness. Sitting is excellent for lengthy sessions, but poor posture may result. Objectively, lying on the back probably is the healthiest for the penis in general. However, as stated, each individual is different and what can be a deficit position for one man may be the preferred one for another.

Whatever position one employs when indulging in masturbation, overenthusiasm may result in soreness. Using a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help ease soreness and maintain overall penis health. A raw feeling penis will respond to a crème with soothing, restorative hydrators like shea butter and vitamin E. Sometimes aggressive masturbation will also lead to a diminishment of feeling in the penis, which affects pleasure during sex. Look for a crème with acetyl L carnitine, a neuroprotective ingredient that helps avoid peripheral nerve injury that lessens sensitivity in the penis. Whatever one’s masturbation position, penis care is crucial.

The Erect Penis and Varicose Veins

A guy tends to focus a lot of attention on his erect penis, whether in the interest of pleasing a partner or pleasing himself. Yet despite the considerable attention a man gives it, it’s the rare man that knows that the penis can develop varicose veins. Getting older means extra attention to penis care is necessary, and a regular check for signs penile varicose veins should be part of this effort.

Not just in the legs
 
When most people hear "varicose veins," they picture an older person’s leg with lumpy lines running all over it. But the fact is that varicose veins can present themselves in other parts of the body as well - including the penis.

Cause
 
So just what is a varicose vein? It’s simply any vein that has become enlarged and twisted. But how does that come about?

Veins are equipped with a series of "valves" that basically shut off to keep blood flowing in one direction - forward. Without the valves, blood flow could reverse and start moving in the wrong direction. However, these valves can malfunction, creating this reverse flow for portions of the vein. This enlarges the vessel and creates a lump or, more often, a long series of lumps along the affected area. These lumps are often caused by clots, which can be dangerous, and eventually may lead to fibrosis in the area.

Varicose veins tend to be hereditary, and while they are more common in women, men do get them as well. Some factors that can lead to varicose veins are obesity, pressure in the area, traumatic injury - even medications that cause clotting.

Bruising
 
A penile varicose vein is often mistaken for a bruise, which it resembles, although it tends to be closer to the color of the skin than the typical blue of the bruise. It is often also mistaken for lymphangisclerosis, a thickening of the lymphatic vessel. Hardness and lumpiness are the physicals signs that present in the most obvious fashion.

If a man develops a penile varicose vein, it is most likely to occur in the dorsal penile vein. This is the blue line that runs prominently along the top of the penis. However, varicosity can occur in other veins in the body part as well. Varicose veins are easier to find in an erect penis, as the tautness of the skin in the erect state makes the lumpiness more obvious to see and feel.

Issues and treatments
 
Penile varicose veins have not been extensively studied and so there is little information about their health effects. It is generally considered a benign situation, but it may cause some minor pain or discomfort. A urologist should be consulted, especially if pain is an issue.

Most men with penile varicose veins find it beneficial to use lubricant when masturbating or engaging in partner sex. Vigorous sex can sometime cause irritation, which can be lessened through the use of a condom.

Fortunately, for most men, penile varicose veins are a minor annoyance and don’t generally affect the all-important enjoyment that comes with a happily erect penis. When soreness does result, using a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help. All men experience penile soreness at some point, whether due to vein irritation or not, and using a crème that can maintain suppleness of the skin diminishes that pain. For that reason, the selected crème needs to contain both a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E) and a high end emollient (such as Shea butter) in order to preserve skin elasticity. The ideal crème also should include L-arginine, an enzyme which is involved in the production of nitrous oxide. This allows the penile blood vessels to relax and open, improving blood flow through the veins and oxygenating the areas properly.

An Itchy Penis? Could Be Folliculitis

It never fails that a guy will suddenly develop an incredibly itchy penis at the most inopportune time - when trying to impress a woman, in the middle of a crucial sales pitch, you name it. The causes of an itchy penis are many, but one that is often overlooked is called folliculitis. Even people who take pains to ensure proper penis health may become a scratch-crazy victim of this common condition.

What is it?
 
The name folliculitis makes this condition sound much scarier and more serious than it is. Don’t worry, men: folliculitis is just an infection of the hair follicles. It happens when bacteria or a fungus gets into the follicle and sets up house. Although this article is looking at folliculitis on the penis and in the crotch, it can occur anywhere on the body.

Folliculitis isn’t dangerous, and it’s quite treatable, but it can be annoying and inconveniencing. It can create a red rash or a "bumpiness" to the skin. The condition is rarely painful, but it can be extremely itchy, in some cases making a guy want to scratch his manhood like there’s no tomorrow.

Where does it come from?
 
As mentioned, the cause of folliculitis is bacteria or a fungus. Both of these tend to breed in an environment that is hot and moist. The pubic area fits that description to a "t."
That said, there are some "risk factors" that make people more likely to develop folliculitis. These include:

- Overusing the hot tub. Folliculitis is sometimes called "hot tub rash" because it develops more readily when the skin is exposed to hot water for an extended period of time. It’s not unusual for the infection to appear within 72 hours of spending too much time in the Jacuzzi.

- Other skin conditions. When a person has acne or dermatitis, it increases the chances that hair follicles will become infected.

- Going too tight on the tighty-whiteys. When people wear clothing that is too tight - underwear, skinny jeans, etc. - the heat rises in the crotch. When the heat is trapped for too long, it increases the likelihood of folliculitis sneaking in.

- Overweight. Men who need to shed some extra pounds are more likely to develop a follicle infection - most likely because the added padding tends to increase heat and sweat, which infection craves.

- Shaving too close. Manscaping is bigger than ever and many men enjoy shaving their pubes to better present their manly packaging. Sometimes, however, shaving too close can create irritation that leads to infection. The irritation is increased when newly-shaved skin rubs up against fabrics, especially those that are a bit rough.

What to do
 
Often, folliculitis will resolve of its own accord. It can be helped along by gently washing the area with an antibacterial soap once or twice a day. (Be sure to dry thoroughly by gently patting the skin with a towel - not be vigorously rubbing it back and forth.) An over-the-counter antibiotic ointment may also be applied.

It’s also a good idea to avoid further irritation of the area. Wearing loose clothing of soft material can help. If a man shaves his crotch, he should avoid doing this until the condition clears up.
If the folliculitis is persistent, a doctor may need to prescribe stronger oral antibiotics.

While folliculitis is present, an itchy penis is bound to be an issue. To help relieve the need to scratch, a man should apply a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) to the penis. It’s essential that the crème helps to hydrate the skin, which will in turn lessen the need to itch. For this reason, select a crème that includes a combination of a high end emollient like Shea butter and a natural hydrating element like vitamin E. Since heat and moisture tend to go hand-in-hand with folliculitis, it’s a good idea to ensure that the crème also contains vitamin A. Heat and moisture tends to produce penis odor, and vitamin A has properties which help to fight excessive "man smell."

Is that Red Penis the Result of Diabetes Treatment?

Regular inspection of the manhood is important for penis health, and signals such as an inflamed red penis can alert a man to potential issues that he needs to address. Often, a man with diabetes may be more prone to inflammation (often termed balanitis) than a man without diabetes. Taking steps to treat this inflammation aids in keeping the member healthy.
 
Balanitis
 
Balanitis is a persistent inflammation of the penis, usually in the glans (or head) and/or the foreskin. An overly red penis is the most typical symptom, often accompanied by varying degrees of soreness or over-sensitivity in the affected area; in some cases, the soreness can be significant. Often, the red penis can be very itchy, as well. Rashes or flakiness of the skin can also develop.

In general, men who are intact are somewhat more likely to develop balanitis than those who are circumcised. But regardless of foreskin status, men with diabetes are at increased risk of balanitis; experts rank diabetes as the main underlying cause of balanitis in adult men.

Diabetes connection
 
Why does diabetes bring about this inflamed situation in the penis? Not surprisingly, it has to do with blood sugar levels.

When a person’s blood sugar levels are not managed properly, there can be an excessive build-up of sugar in the urine. Sugary urine is an especially attractive breeding place for bacteria. When urine leaves the penis, it is not uncommon for some small droplets to dribble onto the foreskin or the glans of the penis. When the sugary urine dries, the bacteria stays on the penis and causes the inflammation.

Maintaining proper blood sugar levels can help men with diabetes to avoid an unhealthy red penis. It’s also important to be vigilant about wiping away stray drops of urine from the penis.

Treatment can be an issue.
 
Sometimes, however, a man with diabetes who takes pains to keep his penis cleansed of urine drops may still develop balanitis. This has to do with the medications that may be involved in treatment, especially of type 2 diabetes.

Many diabetes medications fall into a class of drugs known as SGLT2 inhibitors. (SGLT2 stands for sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2.) The goal of these drugs is to help lower blood sugar; they also can help to lower blood pressure and may even provide a slight weight loss benefit. However, they do often bring about an increased risk of balanitis.

The reason for this increased risk has to do with how the drugs lower blood sugar levels. They do this by essentially scavenging the blood for excess sugar, capturing some of that excess and sending it to be released through urinary excretion. In other words, it gets rid of the sugar in the blood but it increases the sugar in the urine.

In addition, SGLT2 inhibitors can sometimes cause varying levels of dehydration. Dehydrated skin in the penis is more susceptible to inflammation, itching and flaking.

Men who are on SGLT2 inhibitors should take a little extra time after urination to wipe away any excess droplets. (Shaking them away is not usually sufficient, as some urine is likely to remain on the penis after shaking.) Those who are intact should be sure to clean regularly underneath the prepuce as well.

A painful red penis can be an inconvenience, and one doesn’t have to have diabetes to develop balanitis. In addition to properly cleansing, it helps to regularly apply a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) to help ensure continued penis health. Balanitis is often accompanied by a distinctive odor, and a crème that includes the mighty antibacterial properties of vitamin A can help reduce that odor. In addition, a creme with a potent antioxidant like alpha lipoic acid is recommended. Antioxidants help to boost the immune system, which in turn helps fight infection and inflammation. Adding a crème like Man1 Man Oil to one’s daily health regimen is a common sense approach to maintaining penis health.

Sore Penis Culprit: Fighting Delayed Ejaculation

Many men who enjoy an active sex life (whether with a partner or alone), find that the result of all that pleasure can be a very sore penis. (Is the pain worth the price? Most men would say yes.) A sore penis is especially likely in the cases of men who find themselves the victim of delayed ejaculation. Treating a sore penis, and attempting to treat delayed ejaculation, is a requirement to ensure continued penis health - and to restore enjoyment of a man’s sexual activities.

Premature gets the publicity.
 
Delayed ejaculation may not seem like much of a problem to many men. Guys are much more used to hearing about the problem of premature ejaculation, in which a man ejaculates too soon. But delayed ejaculation is indeed a concern for some men.

Also called impaired or retarded ejaculation, delayed ejaculation refers to any situation in which a man is either unable to ejaculate (despite the presence of a strong erection) or can only ejaculate after an abnormally long time of continuous stimulated activity. In some cases, a man with this condition may engage in sex for two or more hours without releasing - which can indeed cause a mighty sore penis.

This should not be confused with edging, a practice in which a man intentionally prevents himself from ejaculating over a period of time. With delayed ejaculation, a man is trying to orgasm, but not succeeding.

Figures are hard to come by, but some experts believe the incidence of delayed ejaculation is 3% or less; however, sex therapists have reported that this figure may be increasing.

Why the increase?
 
The supposed reason for the possible increase is related to either a presumed greater incidence in masturbatory activity in general among men and/or a greater exposure to pornographic stimulation.
Delayed ejaculation sometimes results when a man’s penis becomes sensitized to being handled a certain way during masturbation. When this happens, a man may find that the sensations of vaginal intercourse, while pleasurable, are not intense enough to stimulate the penis to ejaculation.

By the same token, some men who incorporate pornography into their masturbatory experiences may become "wired" to find specific pornographic images and scenarios exciting. Without those images, they may find it difficult to achieve sufficient stimulation for release.

It should be noted that both of these explanations are theories only and that most men who masturbate frequently and/or use pornography continue to enjoy a healthy sex life.

Other causes
 
Delayed ejaculation may also be related to other causes, such as certain medications (including some antidepressants and high blood pressure medications) and certain medical conditions (including nerve damage, prostate problems, urinary tract infections and heart disease).

Depending on the cause, there are several things a man can do to alleviate delayed ejaculation. Decreasing the frequency of masturbation and/or masturbating with a different hand may be helpful, as may be cutting down on the amount of exposure to pornography. Consulting a doctor about a different medication or getting treatment for a medical condition that may be contributing to the problem is also advised. It may take some time to "retrain" the penis so that the issue resolves.

As mentioned, many men with delayed ejaculation can experience a seriously sore penis from all the friction and stimulation over an extended period of time. Treating the sore penis is generally easier than treating delayed ejaculation, especially if one employs a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Proper hydration is essential for soothing a raw manhood, so using a crème that include both a high end emollient (such as shea butter) and an exceptional natural hydrator (such as vitamin) will help to replenish the skin oils and aid the healing process. Since penis de-sensitization may contribute to delayed ejaculation, using a crème with acetyl L carnitine is highly recommended. This ingredient is neuroprotective and can help to avoid peripheral nerve damage that can impact penis sensitivity.

Want Better Sex? Try a Diet

The world is filled with randy men in search of better sex, and many come up with creative ways to achieve this goal. But for a large number of them, a simple change in the diet may be the key to seeing an improvement in between-the-sheets action. Men already know that penis health can be impacted by overall body health; now a study indicates that that spare tire or those love handles may be getting in the way of that better sex so many desire.

What is this study?

Entitled "Effect of Calorie Restriction on Mood, Quality of Life, Sleep, and Sexual Function in Healthy Nonobese Adults: The CALERIE 2 Randomized Clinical Trial," the new study was recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine (published by the American Medical Association). This study looked at 218 people (both men and women) with an average age of 37.9 years. All of the subjects had a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 22 and 28. (A "normal" BMI is usually considered to be 18.5 to 24.9; 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight but not yet obese.)

The scientists divided the subjects into two groups. One group was instructed to eat or drink whatever they wanted. The second group was put on a diet that reduced their calorie intake by 25% for two years.

Not surprisingly, the group on the diet ended up losing a considerable amount of weight over two years - about 12% on average. Also not surprisingly, the "diet" group reported that they had an improvement in their health. They were sleeping better, had a better mood, felt livelier and rated their overall general health as having taken a positive step.

They also reported that they were having better sex. Their sexual drive and their sexual relationships improved in a statistically significant manner.

Why better sex?

It’s not surprising that the group that lost weight experienced a positive impact on their sex lives. In the first place, they were feeling better rested and proper sleep has long been associated with renewed vigor in the bedroom.

The participants also reported that their mood has improved. This also has a direct impact on one’s sex life. In general, most people who are feeling sad, anxious, tense, depressed or other "negative" moods may be less inclined to engage in sex or may find it less fulfilling than those who are cheerful, calm or relaxed. In addition, people often find themselves "sexier" when they are in shape, which can have the psychological effect of encouraging them to seek out sex more frequently or feel more confident in their sexual escapades.

And for men, shedding those pounds around the penis can often uncover" a portion of the organ that had been hidden under the flab - giving the illusion that the penis has gotten bigger. And it’s no secret how a bigger penis tends to make a man feel about his sexual prowess.

The lesson? Guys who want better sex may want to take a look at their diet and see if alterations can make them healthier and livelier.

Of course, guys who diet in order to enjoy better sex also want to make sure that their basic equipment is in proper order to enjoy the task. Regular application of a top flight penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can be a big help here. That penis can be shown off to even better effect if it benefits from a crème with Shea butter and vitamin E, two natural hydrators that can soothe and rejuvenate the skin. This combination of moisturizers is especially good for the penis that tends to be dry or chafed. It’s even better if the crème also includes vitamin D, the "miracle" vitamin that enables cell functionality and helps fight disease. Daily use of such a crème helps a guy present a package that looks healthy and appealing.