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At some point in his life, most men must have wondered, "Is my penis normal?" or "Is semen supposed to look like that?" In fact, what are the characteristics of a healthy penis?
A healthy penis can be judged not only on how well a man performs in bed, but by how well it functions on a day-to-day basis.
Penile sensitivity, size, and erection - all of these relate to the overall health of the male body in terms of what is normal and what is not, which can serve as early indicators of problems in other areas. If the penis is unable to get an erection, for example, this could reflect an underlying health problem, beyond mere arousal and sex issues.
Physical characteristics of a healthy penis
Color
In general, a healthy penis is the same color as a person's skin tone. However, a man can have a penis that is 1-2 shades darker, more brown, or reddish - even lighter than the rest of the body.
Some men have dark spots on their penis. For some men, this is a normal part of their skin. However, immediately consult a doctor if new spots or blemishes appear and don't go away.
Although not very common, it is not impossible for a bruised penis. Bruises that go away quickly, are relatively harmless. However, diffuse purple or dark blue bruises, especially after an injury, require immediate medical attention as they can signal long-term damage to the erection.
One thing is for sure, if the skin tone of your penis is not that different from the rest of your skin tone then you are likely fine. In addition, when stimulated, the penis can tend to darken for a few moments. However, if there is a sudden, significant change in color and is accompanied by pain - especially redness and swelling - you should see a doctor.
Texture
Most penises are not smooth. It is normal for the blood vessels in the penis to be visible and even slightly surface, especially if aroused. Many healthy penises also have hair follicles on the shaft, which feel like tiny bumps. As long as the lump is not a worrying size and is red, or irritated, it may be part of your natural skin, such as pearly penile papules (PPP) or Fordyce spots.
Pearly penile papule (PPP) are small, smooth, pearly warts on the head of the penis that are commonly present in young adulthood. PPH is a very common condition, completely harmless and non-contagious; about 25 percent of the world's male population have it.
Fordyce spots are small bumps that are bright red or matching your skin tone on the shaft of the penis or testicles. This lump occurs in at least 50 percent of the male population. Fordyce spots are a natural condition and require no special concern, are harmless and non-contagious. However, large, irritated bumps can signal for sexually transmitted diseases, such as festering penile warts. You should see a doctor if you have these.
It is also possible for a man to get a reddish rash on his penis. Apart from venereal disease, the skin of the penis can become irritated reddening from an allergic reaction to soap, detergents, or from too much friction from sex or masturbation.
If the irritation doesn't go away within a few days, see a doctor - especially if you are sexually active. Skin irritation that won't heal can indicate venereal disease or ringworm (a yeast infection caused by humidity). Ringworm is easy to treat and occurs frequently in uncircumcised men.
Size
The size of the penis varies, as does the size of the testicles. In Indonesia, the average length of an adult male's penis when erect is 12-19 centimeters. When it 'withers', the length of the penis generally ranges from 5 to 10 centimeters.
Some people can have a significant additional few centimeters when erect, while others only gain 1-2 centimeters in length. When cold or swimming in cold (or even groggy) water, a penis can contract into the body, but it will grow back when it gets warm. All of this is normal. This is because half the length of the penis is actually inside the body - like a big tree with roots firmly in the ground. You can't see the base of your penis embedded in your pelvis and sticking to your pubic bone. An erect penis, in fact, has the shape of a boomerang.
The testicles of most men are uniform in size, although it is common for one side to be larger than the other. One testicle that hangs lower is also a common and not a serious medical condition. Generally, the testicles should feel smooth, without lumps or lumps. Behind the testis, there is a soft "tube" called the epididymis. If you notice changes or something strange - one testicle is enlarged and has a hard, hard lumpy, and painful lump that could signal cancer - it's important to get a thorough examination at the hospital.
The penis can shrink for several reasons. Smoking, one of them. Smoking has an impact on the development of atherosclerosis, aka plaque buildup in the arteries. This plaque will block the blood vessels of the heart, including the blood vessels in charge of sending blood to the penis during an erection. Blockage of blood vessels coupled with toxic chemicals from cigarettes can damage blood vessels, causing erectile dysfunction. This can cause the penis to shrink 1-2 centimeters in size due to calcification of blood vessels. Smoking also causes damage to penile tissue which can affect the ability of the penis to function normally, as well as an erection.
Shape
Multiple penises can hang to one side or the other. Some penises can also have a slight dent, even when erect. This condition is common and does not need to be a big concern, especially if the indentation has been present in infancy. However, if your penis suddenly becomes bent - due to Peyronie's disease, which is a benign buildup of plaque - and causes pain during sex, call your doctor. This condition is easy to treat.
In addition, every time you have an erection in the morning or masturbate, this is actually the body's way of keeping the penis in shape. The muscles of the penis must continue to receive oxygen through the bloodstream, which can cause them to enlarge and get erections. If a man does not have a normal erection, the penile tissue can become less elastic and shrink, which can make the penis 1-2 cm shorter. But calm down, if you can still physically get an erection but don't experience it in a day, the brain has an automatic penis maintenance program.
Some people are physically unable to have an erection, such as after trauma or nerve damage, or those who have diabetes. In such cases, a device such as a vacuum pump, which functions to force the penis to enlarge with blood intake, can help men with physical erection problems maintain a healthy penis.
Foreskin
Some men were circumcised, some were not and still have intact foreskin. Both are common in Indonesian culture. The foreskin is the thin layer of skin covering the head of the penis in uncircumcised men. When aroused, the foreskin will withdraw, exposing the head of the penis.
The important thing to remember, always keep the foreskin clean. Oil, sweat, dirt, and dead skin can build up underneath, which can form a white or yellowish crust called smegma. Smegma is normal and nothing to worry about. Just clean it when you shower to avoid yeast infection.
Like the vagina, the foreskin is an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. However, the number of bacteria will depend on whether the man is circumcised or not. Reporting from the Medical Daily, there were fewer bacteria found in the group of men who were circumcised than those who were not. Circumcision changes the ecology of the bacteria on the penis, which may explain why it reduces the risk of HIV. In theory, anaerobic bacteria - bacteria that cannot live in the presence of oxygen - can cause the body's immune system to react in a way that makes the body's cells more susceptible to HIV infection in uncircumcised men.
Ejaculate
When a man is stimulated, he will ejaculate and release semen. The amount of semen per ejaculate is usually less than a teaspoon, but this varies between men.
Ejaculatory fluid is usually milky white, although some men have a slightly yellowish discharge. If ejaculation hurts or you can't ejaculate, call your doctor. The ejaculatory fluid containing blood should also be checked.
Semen has a consistency and texture that also varies. From time to time, semen can appear thicker and lumpier than usual. Generally, there is nothing to worry about. Changes in consistency and texture are influenced by diet and the last nutritional intake before he ejaculated, the last time he ejaculated, and how aroused they were.
Sensitivity
A decrease in penile sensitivity is normal with age, although the degree to which it decreases cannot be explained in detail. Generally, the sensitivity of a penis is measured by the least amount of stimulation that can be felt - this is called the sensory threshold.
Decreased sensitivity due to age is often associated with decreased testosterone count and altered androgen receptor sensitivity. Sensitivity will begin to decline at the age of 25 years, and the sharpest decline is seen in men aged 65-75 years.
What needs to be understood about a healthy penis, everyone can be different from one another. A healthy penis doesn't look uniform, so try not to worry too much or compare yourself to others.
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