Table of contents:
- Get to know the male reproductive organs and their functions
- 1. The penis
- 2. Testes
- 3. Scrotum
- 4. Prostate gland
- Various risks of diseases that can attack the male reproductive organs
- 1. Impotence
- 2. Anorgasmia
- 3. Sexually transmitted infections
- 4. Low sexual desire
- 5. Other diseases and conditions
- Easy tips for caring for the health of male reproductive organs
- 1. Clean the penis the right way
- 2. Choose the right underwear
- 3. Have safe sex
- 4. Live a healthy and balanced lifestyle
Over the years, you may be very aware of the presence of the penis and scrotum as visible parts of the male reproductive system. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee a man understands the ins and outs of his own reproductive organs. Come on, find out a complete review of the following male reproductive organs.
Get to know the male reproductive organs and their functions
Male reproductive organs consist of several parts, especially external and internal organs. Each part of this reproductive organ has its own function. Here are some parts of the male reproductive organs that you need to know.
1. The penis
If a woman has a vagina, then a man has a penis. The male reproductive organs are not muscles, but rather the penis is a spongy tissue filled with blood.
When experiencing stimulation, a healthy penis will get blood flow in and fill the empty space in it. This rush of blood then creates pressure. As a result, the penis becomes enlarged and hardens, which is known as the erection process.
In general, the anatomy of the penis has three main parts, namely the root (radix), trunk (corpus), and head (glans).
- Root (radix), the base of the penis which is located near the base of the pelvis. The root of the penis has three erectile tissues and two muscles, namely the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus.
- Trunk (corpus), the connecting part of the root and head of the penis which consists of three cylinders of erectile tissue, namely two corpora cavernosa and a corpus spongiosum.
- Head (glans), the tip of the penis with a conical shape with a hole in the urethral tract to support the function of the penis as a place for urine and semen to come out.
2. Testes
Ordinary people know the testicles as testicles or pubic seeds. This one organ is oval, like a chicken egg. The testes are enclosed by the scrotum and are located behind the penis. Testicles will begin to grow when a boy enters puberty, around the age of 10-13 years.
When this male reproductive organ grows, the skin around the scrotum will be covered with fine hair, darker in color, and hang down. Every man generally has a different testicle size.
The function of the testes is to produce and store sperm. Not only that, the testes also function to produce the hormone testosterone, which is a hormone to give changes to a man's body shape during puberty to produce sperm.
Other parts of the male reproductive system that are directly connected to the testes, including:
- Epididymis, a place for temporary storage and maturation of sperm cells produced by the testes before they can be used to fertilize an egg.
- Vas deferens, a tube-shaped channel that functions to channel mature sperm cells from the epididymis to the urethral tract to be excreted during ejaculation.
3. Scrotum
The scrotum is a pocket of skin that hangs behind the penis. This organ serves to wrap around the testes and control the temperature of the testes.
The testicles must be at the right temperature in order to produce normal sperm. Ideally, the testes should be slightly cooler than body temperature.
Special muscles in the scrotal wall allow the testicles to contract or tighten when there is a change in temperature from the surrounding environment.
Testicles will naturally shrink or shrink in size when they are exposed to cold temperatures. On the other hand, the testicles can also become elastic when they are in warm temperatures.
4. Prostate gland
The prostate gland is located under the bladder and surrounds the urinary tract (urethra), which is the channel through which urine and sperm exit the body.
The main function of the prostate is to produce fluid mixed with sperm cells produced by the testes for ejaculation.
This prostate fluid also functions to keep sperm cells healthy and of good quality, because it has an antibody component to protect against bacteria and disease-causing pathogens.
Various risks of diseases that can attack the male reproductive organs
Several types of disorders and diseases that most often attack the male reproductive organs include the following.
1. Impotence
Impotence or also known as erectile dysfunction is a condition when the penis cannot harden (erect) optimally.
Erectile dysfunction has several forms, such as being unable to get an erection, difficulty maintaining an erection, to being able to get an erection but the penis is not hard enough. As a result, men find it difficult to penetrate during sexual intercourse.
This condition can occur as men get older. However, a man can also experience impotence due to certain psychological conditions and medical history, hormonal disorders, nerve damage in the penis, and being overweight.
2. Anorgasmia
In some cases, men may not be able to reach orgasm despite adequate stimulation.
This condition can be caused by many factors, ranging from hormonal problems or neurological diseases around the male reproductive organs. In addition, a history of diseases such as diabetes can also make this condition more likely.
3. Sexually transmitted infections
Various sexually transmitted infections can affect the male reproductive organs. These sexually transmitted diseases include genital warts, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and genital herpes.
Painful urination, unusual discharge from the penis, and persistent pain in the penis are various typical symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection that you need to be aware of.
4. Low sexual desire
Low sex drive in men is described as a condition where a person's decreased interest in sexual activity occurs.
Although it can occur with age, low sexual desire can also be caused by many factors, such as an unhealthy lifestyle, a history of certain diseases, or the influence of hormones.
5. Other diseases and conditions
If you do not maintain the hygiene of these sex organs properly, then you are more susceptible to various infections. One of them is a fungal infection of the penis which can cause a red rash and white patches on the penis.
The skin and head of the penis can also become inflamed and cause pain. In medical terms, this condition is called balanitis. Balanitis can cause pain and a foul smelling discharge from the penis. This condition tends to be more common in men who are not circumcised.
In addition, men can also experience a curved penis, which in medical terms is called Peyronie's disease. Peyronie's disease is a problem with the penis caused by scar tissue, or plaque, that forms inside the penis.
This disease can make the penis bend upward or sideways. Most men with Peyronie's disease can still have sex. However, it may feel very difficult and painful.
Easy tips for caring for the health of male reproductive organs
Caring for the penis should not be arbitrary. The reason is, the male reproductive organs are very sensitive so that wrong treatment can actually cause various health problems.
So, in order to avoid this, here are the guidelines for caring for male reproductive organs that you can do easily and safely.
1. Clean the penis the right way
Cleaning the penis is not just washing it with water. There are several steps that you need to pay attention to so that penis health can be maintained properly, including:
- Rinse the base of the penis including the testes and pubic hair with clean water after urinating. Make sure the base of the testicles and anus is also clean and odor-free. After that, dry the area well and thoroughly.
- Apart from urinating, you are also advised to rinse the penis before and after sexual intercourse, or after masturbating.
- Avoid sprinkling powder, spraying deodorant, or using scented soaps, as these can irritate your skin.
2. Choose the right underwear
In the market, there are many choices of underwear for men. In general, to maintain the health of the male reproductive organs as a whole, you should choose cotton underwear and not tight, like boxer .
Quoted from a study published by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, an increase in temperature in the area of the penis and scrotum is not good for sperm.
The increase in temperature due to wearing tight underwear can affect the level of motility and quality of sperm, including its ability to fertilize an egg.
Apart from this, what is no less important for you to pay attention to is to always keep it clean, by regularly changing your underwear every day.
3. Have safe sex
One of the principles for having safe sex is using a condom. Condoms are useful for preventing unwanted pregnancies. Furthermore, condoms can also help you avoid the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
In addition, some tips for safe sex behavior for you to pay attention to, including:
- Avoid multiple sex partners.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the sex organs, either before or after sex.
- Perform periodic venereal disease tests, as well as check sexual history with your partner.
- Using contraceptives, such as condoms and birth control pills, to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
4. Live a healthy and balanced lifestyle
The overall health condition of the body will certainly affect the male reproductive system. The first step you can take is to choose a healthy and balanced diet, which includes carbohydrates, fiber, protein and fat.
In addition, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can also improve the health condition of the body. Balance this out with regular exercise and adequate rest.
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