Taking proper care to maintain its health and sexual strength is key to having a happy and illness free life. Some basic concepts that we are about to discuss involve three simple themes. First is cleaning your (un)circumcised cock, then we will move on to how to inspect and handle your dick, and then finally we will discuss your aging member and some changes that you should be prepared for and how to avoid certain potentially dangerous and unnecessary accidents.
Let’s begin.
This, of course, includes, the skin on your penis. Every guy has a natural musk which perfumes his private parts, exudes pheromones and even attracts sexual partners. Nothing about this is bad, abnormal or even sinful. Sometimes we can not only bathe away the dirt and grime from daily living but we can also upset the delicate chemical and hormonal balance of our physical ecosystem.
Before puberty, very few males are able to produce smegma regularly, and its production is known to decrease as guys age. But smegma is known to be found in young boys as young as 5 years of age, as the penis undergoes changes where the foreskin detaches from the head, thus causing skin cells to shed and smegma to be produced. Some intact (uncircumcised) men will never produce smegma, and this too is fine. It is recommended to periodically pull back your skin to clean under the hood. Not doing so over long periods of time is known to inhibit one’s ability to not only retract their foreskin but also may make for painful erections, as the skin sticks to the glans because of smegma’s ability to take on a glue- like consistency over time and become an inviting breeding ground for bacteria.
As stated above, a buildup of smegma can be a hot bed for bad bacteria, and this may create conditions of balantitus, which is the inflammation of the penis head, including a foul smelling discharge. To avoid this, health officials advise washing under the foreskin, at least once a day, with warm water ONLY, not with shower gels, deodorants, perfumed soaps or any other such products.
It is very important to never force the foreskin back in order to clean as it may damage the penis, cause pain, bleeding, tearing and scaring. Over-bathing of your cock is highly discouraged, as it not only makes the very sensitive skin red and irritated, it also creates conditions of dry skin, flaking and a thickening of the glans.
If your dick has been snipped, just as with your hooded brothers, a wash with warm water is perfect to clean what is seen. But, since you are down there, don’t forget to wash the base of your cock, pubic hairs and testicles as not doing so may also produce a strong smell and be a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria.
You will not contract any STD’s or illnesses from chowing down on the stinky cheese as it is not a carrier of infectious materials, including HIV. Some may find its sometimes strong pungent odor objectionable but, again, it is not harmful to eat and it does possess some protein. Just like with urine, pre-cum and ejaculate, the taste, texture, smell, and even color of smegma will vary from man to man and even from day to day, taking into account the accumulation of cheese will intensify all of the above.
Genital Self-Examinations (GSE) are recommended as most males have little knowledge about their penises and most with sexually transmitted diseases are not aware that they’ve caught something. Let’s begin with you getting undressed and taking your cock in hand.
1. Start by examining the head of the penis from the urinary opening down to where it extends out a little just above the shaft. If you are not circumcised, pull down the foreskin, if you have one, to examine the head.
2. Look over the entire head of the penis in a clockwise motion. Carefully look for any bumps, sores, or blisters on the skin. Sometimes the bumps or blisters may be red; at other times they may be light-colored. They may even look like pimples. Bumps and blisters sometimes develop into open sores. If you see anything that resembles a sore, blister, or bump, see a health care provider. In addition, look for warts. Genital warts may look like warts you may have seen on other parts of your body. They may first appear as very small, bumpy spots. Left untreated, they could develop a fleshy, cauliflower-like appearance. Some warts are hard to detect with the naked eye. If you feel any bumpy growth, no matter how slight, have it checked by a physician.
3. Once you’ve examined the head of the penis, move down the shaft and look for the same signs or symptoms. Then go on to the base. At the base, try to separate your pubic hair with your fingers so you can get a good look at the skin underneath.
4. After careful examination here, move on to the underside of the penis. This area is often difficult to see, and sometimes gets overlooked. It is very important that you check this part of your body. You may want to use a mirror to be sure that you’ve seen the entire underside. The mirror may also be helpful as you move on to the scrotum. Handling each testicle gently, examine the scrotum for the same signs or symptoms. Also, be alert to any lump, swelling, or soreness in the testicles themselves.
5. Once you’ve examined your entire genital area for redness, sores, bumps, and warts, be aware of these other symptoms often associated with sexually transmitted infections. STIs may cause burning or pain when you urinate. Some STIs cause a drip or discharge from the penis. This drip may vary in both color and consistency. The drip could be thick and yellow, or it could be watery or very slight. Any drip or discharge from the penis that is not pre-cum or cum should be brought to the attention of a health-care provider.
If you notice any changes or something out of the ordinary around your cock, contact a physician as soon as possible. Don’t wait and make it there too late.
Over time your penis will change in appearance and size. Starting around the ripe ole age of 30 (yikes!), you can expect to start seeing some changes to the color of your cock head, and a reduction in blood flow to the shaft, possibly resulting in softer erections. Excess weight gain, as mentioned in the Erection Section of this site, will reduce the length and girth of your member, but this may be reduced with some attention to caloric intake and exercise.
The issue of erectile dysfunction is so serious that we have created a separate section to address its causes and possible treatments, but in this primer we just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in your concerns about having this condition. Things can be done to help you out. Along these lines you also should know that ED has many causes including biology, psychological issues, relationship dynamics and psychosexual skills. So, just popping a little blue pill might not be the answer. It is best to consult a physician for proper assessment and treatment.