All you wanted to know about your penis

Willy, cock, knob, dick, tool, snake, love machine…the list goes on…but whatever you call yours they’re often the cause of concern for many male teenagers. So to put your mind at ease Children First for Health has got the low-down on the penis.

Does size really matter?
Many boys worry about the size and shape of their penis. Is it too small? Too big? Too thin? Does it hang straight? Or does it curve slightly to one side? Yet penises come in all shapes and sizes and all are very different. The average length of a penis when it is flaccid (not erect) is around 3 to 4 inches whereas when it is hard it is around 5 to 7 inches. However, your penis size can depend on many things like the weather, your body shape, pubic hair and even ethnicity. Your penis also doesn’t stop growing until you reach the ages of 18 to 21, so don’t fret yet if you feel yours is too small.

What is a penis?
The penis is made up of a shaft, the glans (head/helmet) and the prepuce (foreskin).

You pee through the urethra which is a tube that passes through the penis and carries both urine from the bladder and semen from the testicles. If you have been circumcised then you won’t have a foreskin. This is surgically removed at a young age for cultural and religious reasons.

Erections
Most boys start to experience erections when they reach puberty. They happen when you get sexually aroused and extra blood flows to the penis. This causes the penis to swell and grow large and hard. Sometimes erections are referred to as a hard-on or a boner, although there aren’t actually any bones in the penis!

Wet dreams
If you’ve woken up in the morning to find your bed sheets are wet then chances are you’ve experienced a wet dream. This is where you become sexually aroused and ejaculate (come) in your sleep. Lots of boys have wet dreams during their teens although they become less frequent as you become older and your hormones level out.

Blue balls
You may heard the term blue balls. This is used to describe an uncomfortable feeling in the testicles. This can happen if you get an erection but don’t actually ejaculate. The feeling doesn’t last long but it can cause discomfort.

Lump and bumps
Most men will have a few bumps on their penis. Common bumps include sebaceous glands on the surface of the skin. You’ll find them on the shaft and are totally natural. They are usually yellow in colour and secrete an oily substance called sebum.

Other bumps include pearly papules. These are small hard white bumps on the head of the penis. Some people mistake them for genital warts but again they are harmless and require no treatment as long as you don’t squeeze or pop them.

Your penis can also get the occasional spot and pimple which may cause some discomfort. If you are sexually active however, bumps or lumps could indicate that you have a sexually transmitted infection like herpes or genital warts. If you have any concerns about STIs contact your local GP immediately just to be on the safe side.