This is how your penis works

What does your penis contain?

Your penis contains organs, erectile tissue, and muscles. These are responsible for urination, achieving an erection, and ejaculation.

These are the parts of your penis:

• Testicles and epididymis
• Prostate
• Shaft with erectile tissue
• Glans and foreskin
• Bladder and urethra
• Pelvic floor muscles

Below, you can read about how all of this functions in your body and what you can do to enhance your enjoyment of sex.

It's important to know that every penis looks different. There is no 'best shape' or 'best size.' Good sex has nothing to do with the size of your penis.

How to care for your penis?

It is important to take good care of your penis, as that can enhance your sexual experience. Here's what you should know about caring for your penis:

• Your penis doesn't clean itself, so it's important to wash it.
• Use water for washing; avoid using soap.
• Pay attention to the glans and underneath.
• If you have a foreskin, make sure to retract it completely while washing.
• Dry your penis thoroughly with a clean towel.

Washing helps prevent the buildup of smegma under the foreskin. Smegma is a white, sticky substance that can have an unpleasant odor. It is normal to produce smegma, but it can cause irritation or infection if not cleaned.

Shaving:

If you want to shave the pubic hair on and around your penis, it is best not to do it right before having sex. Small cuts from shaving can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like Syphilis and MPOX. These STIs can enter more easily through the tiny wounds, even if you're using a condom. It is better to shave once a week or every two weeks.
Make sure you always use a clean razor. This way, you minimize the risk of infections in the area.

Balls: the testicles and epididymis

In your testicles, the hormone testosterone and sperm cells are produced. The sperm cells travel through the epididymis into the vas deferens (spermatic duct).

Prostate

The prostate is located inside your body, behind your penis. It is responsible for expelling semen when you ejaculate, and ensuring that no urine comes out of your penis at that time.

You can feel the prostate by inserting a finger into the anus and moving it forward. The prostate is roughly the size of a walnut. When a penis enters the anus, it often rubs against the back of the prostate. The prostate is sometimes referred to as the male G-spot.

Shaft with erectile tissue

The shaft is the part between your testicles and your glans (head of the penis). In the shaft, the vas deferens (spermatic duct) and the urethra run outward. The shaft contains erectile tissue, which fills with blood, causing an erection. This can happen spontaneously or in response to something arousing you, such as seeing, hearing, or doing something arousing. The ability to achieve an erection may naturally decrease with age.

Tips for a firm erection:

• Feeling good about yourself helps.
  You're more likely to get an erection when you feel good. Feelings of sadness, depression, grief, or stress can interfere with getting an erection.
• Ensure an adequate level of sexual stimulation. Kissing, touching, or massaging can be helpful.
• Take time to relax. Relaxation often makes sexual activity easier.
• Avoid drugs that can hinder your ability to get an erection, such as MDMA/XTC, cocaine, or Tina/crystal meth. Learn more about drugs and sex.
• Live a healthy lifestyle.
  Smoking, excessive drinking, and lack of exercise can contribute to difficulties in getting an erection.
• Diet matters too.
  A varied diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can be beneficial.
• Erectile dysfunction medications may be an option. Consult your doctor for more information.

The glans and foreskin

The glans is the most sensitive part of your penis. If you're nearing climax but don't want to ejaculate yet, you can squeeze just below the glans to reduce the sensation. In most cases, this can help delay ejaculation.

At birth, the glans is covered by a foreskin. This foreskin protects the glans. Some parents choose to have their child's foreskin removed, which is known as circumcision. If you still have your foreskin, you are uncircumcised or "uncut."

A circumcised penis is generally less sensitive than an uncircumcised one. If you or your sexual partner has a circumcised penis, using (more) lubricant can enhance comfort.

Sometimes, the foreskin can be too tight at birth, a condition known as phimosis. This is usually not a major concern. If it causes discomfort, it can be addressed with a surgical procedure. Consult your doctor for guidance in such cases.

The bladder and urethra

Above the prostate is your bladder, which holds your urine. When your bladder is full, you feel the urge to urinate.

During sex, particularly with a penis in the rectum, it might feel like you need to pee. This sensation can occur when the penis comes into contact with the bladder or nerves near the bladder. It feels like the urge to pee, even if you don't actually need to.

If you experience this sensation and find it bothersome, you can try a few things:

• Check if you genuinely need to urinate.
• Experiment with different sexual positions.
• Take time to relax; often, the feeling will subside.

Conversely, it can be challenging to urinate when you have an erection. In such cases, it's best to wait until the erection subsides before attempting to urinate.

Pelvic floor muscles

At the bottom of your pelvis are the pelvic floor muscles. These are muscles you may not be very consciously aware of, but you feel them tighten when:

• You ejaculate.
• You hold in gas.
• You briefly stop urinating.

If you're stressed, your pelvic floor muscles can remain tense, which may sometimes make it challenging to achieve an erection or to relax your anus for sex. Doing exercises to strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor, known as Kegel exercises, can be helpful in such situations.