Everything you need to know about the penis and never dared to ask

Are you also one of those who would love to have an appointment with an expert in Sexology to ask everything you've always wanted to know ... but you're embarrassed? Well, end of problem! In MYHIXEL we’ve created an opportunity for you to get the answers you’re looking for. We’ve opened up our social media channels to collect your most pressing questions , and now our sexologist is here to give you some answers.

In this article, we will answer the most common questions that our followers have asked us about the penis. From anatomical questions to solutions to improve erectile function, here you will find the answers you need based on science and clinical experience.

What is the maximum time for the use of a penis ring?

Penis rings, also known as constriction rings, are designed to help maintain an erection by limiting blood flow from leaving the penis once it's fully erect. As you can imagine, cutting off this flow for a long time is not advisable.

Therefore, specialists recommend not to use them for more than 30 minutes at a time , as prolonged use can lead to tissue damage, numbness or even a risk of thrombosis (Harris, 2020). In addition, whenever possible, it is recommended that you choose rings made from body-safe materials and avoid ones that are too tight.

How to make an erection stronger?

The strength or intensity of the erection depends on several factors , such as blood circulation, your hormonal status and how you feel psychologically (lively, rested, nervous...). Therefore, to improve it, here are some helpful tips:

• Maintain a  healthy diet  rich in antioxidants (Allen, 2023).

• Get regular exercise, especially resistance or strength training .

• Cut back on smoking and excessive alcohol , since both affect circulation.

• Control stress and anxiety, factors that negatively influence testosterone production .

And if needed, talk to a healthcare professional . They can help you explore whether psychological support or medication might be helpful.

How to reduce the refractory period?

The refractory period is the time your body needs to recover after ejaculation before you can get another erection . This time varies a lot from person to person, but there are a few strategies that might help shorten it:

• Keep your testosterone levels in check by staying active and eating a healthy, balanced diet (Travison et al., 2007).

• Try “  edging  ” : as such, it does not reduce the refractory period, but it is a technique that consists of stopping before ejaculation and then continuing.

• Consider natural supplements like L-arginine or citrulline, which may help improve blood flow.

• Avoid excessive masturbation , especially if you're aiming to bounce back quicker during close encounters.

Why does my erection go away after a few seconds, and sometimes not happen at all?

This problem, more common than you might think, can be due to both physical and psychological causes. Among the most frequent reasons we find:

• Stress and anxiety : Performance anxiety is one of the top reasons erections are lost mid-way.

• Circulatory problems: some diseases such as hypertension affect blood flow and, therefore, erections.

• Hormonal deficiencies: having very low testosterone levels can affect your erections.

• Medication use: some antidepressants interfere with erections.

Given all these possibilities, the best thing you can do is talk to a specialist . If the issue seems physical, a visit to a urologist or andrologist can help identify any underlying causes. If it feels more psychological, working with a sex therapist can be incredibly helpful.

How long can a penis grow?

Penile growth occurs mainly during puberty, between approximately 12 and 16 years of age . The first thing you have to keep in mind is that the average erect length is 13-15 cm according to recent studies (Veale et al., 2015). However, there are factors that influence the perception of size, such as being overweight, as pubic fat can “hide” part of the penile shaft. Although lengthening methods exist, their effectiveness and the safety of these interventions is not very high .

Is the frenulum more sensitive when you are not circumcised?

Yes, in general, uncircumcised men have a more sensitive frenulum because it is protected by the foreskin and is not in constant friction with clothing. In fact, a study published in The Journal of Urology (Sorrells et al., 2007) suggests that circumcised men tend to experience less sensitivity in the glans and frenulum area due to progressive keratinization of the skin. In addition, men with exposed glans tend to become habituated to constant contact with clothing, which causes them to perceive less stimulation than uncircumcised men.

Sources

• Allen, M. S., Wood, A. M., & Sheffield, D. (2023). The psychology of erectile dysfunction. Sage Journals, 32(6). https://doi.org/10.1177/09637214231192269

• Harris, E., Llompart, D., Izquierdo, G., & Aziz, M. A. (2020). Patient With Penile and Scrotal Strangulation Due to Prolonged Use of a Metal Ring Device. Cureus, 12(12), e11928.  https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.11928  

• Sorrells, M. L., Snyder, J. L., Reiss, M. D., Eden, C., Milos, M. F., Wilcox, N., & Van Howe, R. S. (2007). Fine-touch pressure thresholds in the adult penis. BJU international, 99(4), 864–869.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2006.06685.x  

• Travison, T. G., Araujo, A. B., Kupelian, V., O'Donnell, A. B., & McKinlay, J. B. (2007). The relative contributions of aging, health, and lifestyle factors to serum testosterone decline in men. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 92(2), 549–555.  https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2006-1859  

• Veale, D., Miles, S., Bramley, S., Muir, G., & Hodsoll, J. (2015). Am I normal? A systematic review and construction of nomograms for flaccid and erect penis length and circumference in up to 15,521 men. BJU international, 115(6), 978–986.  https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.13010