Penis Health Care

Admit it: the penis is easily a man’s most guarded and revered appendage. Not only is it your source of pleasure and the tool that allows you to procreate, but plenty of pride and sense of self are tied to this organ. But, let’s be honest again: how much time do you take in the shower to care for your member, washing, scrubbing, exfoliating, and inspecting for any questionable bumps?  Since you care about it so deeply, it makes sense that the penis commands a level of value and respect. We're all familiar with the importance of wearing condoms in certain situations, but proper penis health care certainly doesn't end there. From grooming and cleaning to understanding exactly what you’re looking for, um, down there, building up your routine will ensure cleanliness, health and hygiene below the belt. RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Properly Grooming Your Penis If you’re not convinced your penis is getting the attention he deserves, don’t worry. We have you covered. You can start by reviewing effective tips, tricks and advice on the best way to care for your penis. If you follow our regimen, we promise you will keep you — and your unit — rising happily each morning. Regular Maintenance Grooming First off, you gotta trim. Secondly, you have to do more than that! For many men, genital grooming is an easy, expected and simple part of their penis health care routine, while for others it may be nothing more than a part-time annoyance. Keeping genitals hairless does have its benefits, but there are still definite pitfalls to both shaving and waxing that might not be immediately apparent: Pros A polished penis improves cleanliness/reduces moisture. A groomed penis can be inviting and sexually stimulating. A well-kept penis can increase your level of sensitivity during sex. A groomed penis facilitates skin examination, making it easier to notice any symptoms. A maintained downstairs can be a more fun partner experience, depending on his or her preference. Though not scientifically proven, a clean-cut penis could make you appear larger. Cons Grooming is very tedious. If you go the route of waxing, it is painful. If you maintain a waxing schedule, it is expensive. Grooming can cause irritation. Grooming can also cause new or spread existing infection. Some women find a polished, manscaped man erotic and even the act of shaving can be incorporated into foreplay — with the right gal, of course. If you’re in a long-term relationship, it is smart to discuss your plan to wax, just so she isn’t shocked the next time you get rowdy. You should know, however, that both shaving and waxing can cause irritation or folliculitis, and can spread viral infections, such as genital herpes or molloscum contagiosum. Even nasty bacterial infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, have been linked to the use of razors, more specifically, the sharing of razors among sports participants (guys, sometimes sharing is bad). All of this contradicts good penis health care. If you wish to avoid shaving or waxing, a simple trim with an electric razor is always a safe bet. If you choose to groom, however, which weapons should you choose? You’re probably best off using a simple razor with mild shaving cream or soap followed by a mild moisturizing aftershave lotion or warm salt water. Avoid chemical removal techniques and electric razors if you're opting to take it all off, as with both you risk wreaking havoc on your scrotum. Lastly, you may choose to wax. Wait… what? There’s no need to feel ashamed of a little waxing as part of your penis health care, just know that it can be expensive and painful. RELATED: Body Hair: Everything You Need to Know For Your Manscaping Needs Phillips Norelco Bodygroom Series 5000 Part of your manscaping duties is shaving down there and it's in your best interest to work with a skin-protecting shaving head. The Philips Norelco Bodygroom Series offers a shower-proof design and pivoting head that allows the trimmer to closely follow the body's contours while its rounded blades prevent scratching of the skin. We're also especially grateful for the included back extension, that allows you to shave the hard-to-reach areas on your upper and mid-back. $44.46 at Amazon.com LAB Series Cooling Shave Cream You're never going to want to shave that area when it's dry. Bad call. The shower will soften the hair and make it easier for a blade to pass through but once you step out of the shower and get ready to shave, you want to prep your sack the right way. Load up with this cooloing shaving cream that allows for greater accuracy while providing some moisturizing and healing properties.  $31 at LabSeries.com Gillette Fusion5 Razor For the cleanest and closest shave, you may want to opt for a manual razor, especially to hit your undercarriage. But that's going to take some extra special care because sharp objects around your scrotum just sound like a dangerous proposition. Gilllette Fusion5 Proshield's FlexBall technology bends to your body's natural angles and its five blades ensure a tight, comfortable shave. Thinner blades mean less resistance – and less chance of snagging on parts that definitely should not be snagged.  $20 at Amazon.com Harry's Post Shave Balm Whether you opt for a trimmer or razor, your skin is going to respond and the best way to ease that irritation is with a hydrating aftershave solution. Harry's aloe-enhanced formula is gentle on the skin and helps to reduce discomfort and soothe any burning or itching that you might get from a rough razor stroke.  $15.96 for 2 at Amazon.com Tend Skin Solution If you intend to shave your downstairs area, you might notice some unruly bumps that rise. Don’t worry, it probably isn’t an STI, but rather, razor burn. You might notice this on your lady friend and it’s exactly what could happen to you: irritation or ingrown hairs from rampant shaving. Use a bit of this to fight it away. $26.99 at Amazon.com What Is Penis Soap? Let's start with this: Don't Google penis soap, it's NSFW. (You did it already, didn't you?) There is no soap specifically made for your penis. What you can find, however, is an array of gag gifts for a bachelorette party that include anything from penis-shaped bar soap to a soap dispenser colorfully shaped like your man-bits When you're cleaning up, simply use warm water and a mild, unscented soap. Lots of soaps are made with perfumes or other ingredients that might irritate sensitive skin. How to Properly Clean Your Penis Your member is a sensitive organ, a point that should always be kept in mind. For some odd reason, some men feel the need to vigorously scrub their units with powerful soaps or disinfectants to keep clean. Just lather up that mild soap and make sure to clean the base, shaft and head of your penis as well as your testicles. Uncircumcised men should slide the foreskin back and wash the head of the exposed penis with warm water, not soap. Then, be sure to dry the area very well. Both infrequent and too-frequent washing have been associated with balanitis (an inflammation of the penis or head). If you do notice irritation, avoid scented soaps or shower gels and try warm salt water instead. New clothes or even new laundry detergents can also cause irritation. If irritation persists, see a doctor. Self-Examination Particularly when sexually active, men should regularly perform genital self-examination to identify testicular cancer or any sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that present themselves visibly. How regularly? Well, there is no golden rule, but once a month should be satisfactory. For testicular cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends the following: Once a month, after taking a bath or shower: Examine each testicle individually. With both hands, hold the testicle between your thumbs and fingers and roll it gently. Be on the alert for any hard lumps or nodules (smooth rounded masses) or any change in the size, shape or consistency of your testes. Do not mistake the epididymis (a tightly coiled tube on the upper, outer side of each testicle) or the blood vessels and spermatic cord that extend from the testicles as being cancer. Not only is regular testicular examination a good way to catch testicular cancer early, but it also provides an opportunity to examine the penis and testicles for signs of an STI. Red Flags There are many red flags for STIs. Be vigorous in your self-examinations and know that certain STIs, such as chlamydia, can be completely asymptomatic — meaning that you may show absolutely no identifiable signs or symptoms of infection. In such cases, it’s important that you keep an open channel of communication with your sexual partners. If your partner develops an STI, there may be a chance that you gave it to them without knowing. The American Academy of Family Physicians highlights some of the major signs and symptoms of common STIs that you should be on the lookout for: Discharge from the penis: The drip could be thick and yellow or it could be watery and very slight. Change in smell (including foul odor) or color of semen. Blood in the semen or urine (dark color). Pain during sex or when urinating or ejaculating. Pain in the pelvic area. Chancre sores (painless red sores) on the genital area, anus, tongue, and/or throat. Flesh-colored or reddish bumps, sores or blisters on the skin of the genitals that may or may not itch. Small blisters that turn into scabs on the genital area. Soft, flesh-colored, cauliflower-like warts around the genital area. In addition, many STIs, particularly viral infections like HIV or herpes, induce symptoms similar to the flu that may serve as early indicators of infection. If you notice a sore throat, swollen glands, fever, or body aches in the weeks following unprotected sex, you may want to consider following up with an STI check just to be sure. Lastly, don’t panic if you do notice something unusual. Pearly penile papules found around the rim of the head of the penis are no need for alarm. Similarly, pimples or irritation from shaving are normal. If you are unsure, it’s always best to see a doctor first to understand what is and isn’t normal. Waiting is the worst thing you can do. If you are a little bashful, just remember: Every man has a penis! Man up and go see a doctor. Like it or not, your penis is with you until the end. As a source of procreation and pleasure, the penis commands proper care. Take care of it properly and you might not be the only benefactor... You Might Also Dig Unrealistic Penis Expectations What Penis Size Do Women Prefer? Average Erect Penis Length and Girth