Let’s go below-the-belt and dive into some interesting details about your dick, revealing its complexities beyond just its basic functions. This organ isn’t just crucial for boinking and relieving yourself; it also gives insights into a man’s overall health.

We’ll see how the penis works, adapts to different situations, and even signals health issues. Get ready to learn some fascinating facts about how important and interesting the penis really is.

1. Use It or Lose It

You need to have erections regularly to keep your penis in shape. “It has to be essentially exercised,” says Tobias Kohler, MD, assistant professor of urology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

To maintain a healthy tone, the smooth muscle of the penis must be periodically enriched with oxygen by the rush of blood that engorges the penis and makes it erect, Kohler says.

If guys are physically able to get erect, but never have erections during the day — maybe they find themselves in very un-erotic circumstances for a long time — they needn’t worry. The brain has an automatic penis maintenance function built in.

Impulses from the brain cause erections during the dreaming phase of sleep, called the REM phase. It doesn’t matter if you’re having a hot sex dream or a zombie apocalypse nightmare — your penis gets hard during that period of the sleep cycle.

But some men are physically unable to get erections, such as those who’ve suffered trauma to the nerves involved or who have nerve or blood vessel damage caused by diabetes.

“If they don’t do anything to maintain normal erections, they will get shortening of the penis,” Kohler says. Without regular erections, penile tissue can become less elastic and shrink, making the penis 1–2 centimeters shorter.

A device like a vacuum pump, which forces the penis to swell with blood, can help men with physical erection problems maintain a healthy penis, Kohler says.

2. The Mystery of ‘Growers’ vs. ‘Show-ers’

The relationship between the size of a flaccid penis and its size when erect is unpredictable among men. Research involving 80 men revealed a wide range of growth, from a slight quarter-inch to an impressive 3.5 inches, when moving from flaccid to erect.

This variability holds significant social implications, debunking myths about size predictions based on flaccid appearance. The man with a larger flaccid penis might not see a substantial increase upon erection, whereas a smaller flaccid penis might reveal a substantial growth.

Alfred Kinsey’s extensive research, involving over a thousand penis measurements, indicated that shorter flaccid penises generally experience a more significant increase in length upon erection compared to their longer counterparts. This phenomenon introduced the terms “grower” (for penises that significantly increase in size with an erection) and “show-er” (for those that don’t change as much). Although these categories have entered popular lexicon, they’re not grounded in medical definitions or precise measurements.

Kinsey’s findings show that the majority of penises don’t fit neatly into these extreme categories. Approximately 12% of them increase by one-third or less of their total length when erect, while around 7% double in size, showcasing the diverse nature of penile growth.

3. Zones of Intense Pleasure

The areas receiving the highest marks for sexual sensitivity among men are often the underside of the penis’s head (glans) and the shaft’s underside. This was confirmed by a study involving 81 men who evaluated the erotic sensitivity across various body parts, not just limited to the penis but extending to the scrotum, anus, nipples, and neck.

Findings highlighted that the glans’ underside and the shaft’s underside are particularly receptive to pleasure for a vast majority of participants. These were closely followed in sensitivity by the glans’ upper side, its left and right sides, the penis’s sides, the upper shaft, and the foreskin in uncircumcised men. This comprehensive study, published in the British Journal of Urology International in 2009, provides a detailed map of male erogenous zones, emphasizing the nuanced nature of male sexual sensitivity.

4. The Gradual Loss of Sensitivity Over Time

Studies show that as men get older, they tend to lose some feeling in their penis, but it’s hard to say exactly how much because different studies measure it in different ways. Generally, this loss of sensitivity starts to happen around age 25 and becomes more noticeable between ages 65 and 75. However, many men might not really notice or worry about this change. According to Tobias Kohler, men are more likely to talk to doctors about problems getting or maintaining an erection and difficulties with ejaculation than about losing sensitivity.

5. The Universal Appeal of Vibrators

Vibrators have proven their effectiveness and appeal beyond just female pleasure, offering significant benefits for men as well. Remarkably, vibration can facilitate ejaculation for men with spinal cord injuries, using specialized medical vibrators applied to the penis’s underside near the head.

The power of these medical-grade vibrators isn’t what makes them effective; instead, it’s their ability to target specific frequencies and amplitudes that resonate with the nervous system pathways involved in ejaculation.

For men experiencing delayed ejaculation or those simply looking to explore new sensations, try experimenting with commercial vibrating massagers. These devices, while not designed for medical use, can enhance sexual pleasure and orgasm without the necessity of a medical condition as a prerequisite. Vibrators, therefore, are not just for women; they offer a spectrum of pleasure possibilities for everyone.

6. The Hidden Half of the Penis

An intriguing fact that might surprise many is the anatomical design of the penis, extending far beyond what is visible. Tobias Kohler reveals that the penis is actually twice the length most men believe it to be, with half of its entirety concealed within the body. This internal portion anchors the penis to the pelvic region, similar to how a large oak tree’s roots stretch deep underground, unseen from the surface.

This internal structure can be visualized through MRI imaging, showcasing an erect penis’s boomerang-like shape. Such insights not only highlight the complexity of male anatomy but also underscore the extensive nature of the penis beyond its external appearance.

7. The Global Perspective on Circumcision

Globally, circumcision is not as prevalent as some might assume, with only about 37% to 39% of males over the age of 15 undergoing the procedure, as highlighted in a 2016 Population Health Metrics report. The practice of circumcision varies significantly across different cultures and religions, with nearly all Jewish and Muslim men being circumcised, accounting for the majority of circumcised individuals worldwide.

Each insight serves as a testament to the penis’s complexity, far beyond its basic functions, offering a deeper understanding of male health and sexuality. This dive into the phallic files has not only educated but also encouraged a broader appreciation for the nuances of male anatomy, challenging us to view the penis with renewed curiosity and respect.