Is Your Penis Healthy?

What makes a penis healthy?

The health of a penis can be influenced by factors like hygiene, hormone fluctuations, age, health conditions, medication, usage of drugs and alcohol, and sexual activity.

So how do you check if your body is doing okay? How do you know if your body's asking for something? 

Here are some indicators that can help you assess if your body is okay:

• Appearance
• Smell
• Sensation
• Urination
• Erection
• Ejaculation

Foreskin

Unlike the more 'self-cleaning' vagina, penises need constant cleaning to avoid itching and burning sensations, and unpleasant odours. 

Hygiene practices also differ slightly between circumcised penises (foreskin removed) and uncircumcised ones (foreskin present).

Around the age of five, the foreskin separates from the head of the penis, bit by bit. This allows the penis-owner to pull the foreskin back i.e. retract it.

In some, the foreskin can stay partially stuck to the head of the penis until puberty.

Note: You should never forcibly pull back your foreskin. You could bleed, scar, or cause other complications and injuries.

Why is the foreskin important? Because circumcised penises are more exposed and are therefore more prone to chafing and irritation.

So remember to wear loose, soft clothing that is made of absorbent fabrics and remember to be gentle when you wash your skin, especially around the glans penis (head of the penis).

Meanwhile, uncircumcised penises are at a higher risk of smegma build-up and bacterial infections that in turn increase the risk of contracting STIs.

Smegma

Smegma is a thick, whitish discharge consisting of a build-up of dead skin cells and oil. It protects the penis and offers bare-minimum lubrication to the organ. 

Some people may have oilier skin than others and tend to produce more smegma. 

If not cleaned daily, it can put the owner at higher risk of infections, irritation and even harden over time, making it painful to retract the foreskin.

What happens if there is a build-up?

As smegma builds up between the foreskin and the head or shaft of the penis, it can harden over time and make it difficult to retract the foreskin. This can lead to sensations of pain and itching, and can even infect the urinary tract, making it painful to pee.

If you do experience a build-up of smegma, remember not to pull the foreskin back any further than it can go, in that moment. Wash gently with warm water and mild soap and see if that softens the build-up and makes it easier to retract the foreskin and clean the body of the penis.

DO NOT use rough objects or vigorous techniques to scrub yourself clean. If the smegma is too hard to wash off, it's best to avoid online recommendations of coconut oil and other home remedies, and seek help from a licensed medical professional instead.

Soaps

Many soaps contain perfumes that may irritate sensitive skin, and some contain cleaning agents too harsh for use on the genitals. For best results, choose a mild, unscented soap meant for use on the body.

Cleaning an uncircumcised penis:

Lather up your choice of mild, unscented soap between your hands, and apply it to the testicles and shaft of the penis. With an uncircumcised penis, remember to wash under the foreskin.

• Gently pull the foreskin back as far as it will go. Do not force the foreskin past its natural point, as this may damage the penis and cause scar tissue to develop.
• Apply soap under the foreskin, and thoroughly rinse away all the soap and any debris that may have collected.
• Return the foreskin back to its natural position.

It's also best to avoid talcum powders and perfumes which are more likely to cause irritation and build-up than achieve the desired effect upon application.

Nutrition and Hydration

Now, healthcare for all your body parts is inevitably influenced by the food you eat. So if your skin feels prone to dryness, or if you're wondering how you can give your best sexual performance, pause.

Take a look at what you've been eating and how much water you've been drinking. 

Try eating fruits and veggies of different colours, that might help you get a regular intake of micronutrients that play different supporting roles within your body.

Vaccines and Protection

The Human Papillomavirus can cause genital warts on penises, testicles, thighs and around the anus, and the HPV vaccine is highly effective in protecting you from this. Speak to your doctor as soon as possible and figure out your options for getting vaccinated and tested for STIs regularly.

Remember, you don't have to be unmarried or gay to catch an STI. Speak to your doctor and start the process of getting tested regularly so you can enjoy a safe and supportive sex life.

When Should I Get Checked?

Remember the list of indicators we had mentioned earlier? It’s best to consult your GP or speak to a urologist if you find yourself with problems in any of these areas:

• Appearance

- Boils, warts, rashes, discolouration

- Inflammation, bruising

• Smell
• Sensation

- Itching, burning, pain

• Urination

- Pain or burning sensations

- Discoloured urine

- Change in frequency of urination

• Erection

- Pain

- Difficulty gaining erections

- Persistent painful erections 

• Ejaculation

- Pain or difficulty with ejaculation

- Change in volume of ejaculate