We’ve heard a lot of slang names for it – joystick, dick, dangler, cock, prick, wang, private part, love stick, cucumber – whatever you call it, the penis is arguably the most famous and well-studied human organ on the planet.

After going through this post, you’ll probably be surprised at your many areas of ignorance about this male sex organ that is so vital to the survival of the human race.


The penis can break



Yes, it is possible to break the penis if it is bent violently when erect.

But that doesn’t mean the penis has bones, rather it is made up of tube-like tissues which fill up with blood during an erection.

If an erect penis is bent suddenly or forcefully, the trauma can burst the tube-like tissues inside the penis, resulting in a broken penis or penile fracture, as it is known medically.

At the moment a penile fracture occurs, there is usually an audible popping or cracking sound that is sometimes described as similar to breaking glass. This is followed immediately by loss of rigidity of the the penis.

Other symptoms that may accompany penile fracture include pain, swelling and bruising.

Fortunately, penis fracture is rare. It most commonly occur during vigorous intercourse, with the “woman on top” position identified as the riskiest position (1). The breakage usually occurs when the penis slips out of the vagina and is violently bent.

In addition, penis fractures can also be caused by aggressive masturbation, rolling over in bed onto an erect penis, falling off the bed onto the erect penis or taghaandan, a cultural practice in the Middle East in which the top of an erect penis is forcefully bent to relax an erection (2).

Penis fracture is surgical emergency. If not treated urgently, it can cause long-lasting damage to a man’s sexual and urinary function.

However, the good news is that prompt treatment, usually surgical repair, can restore normal sexual and urinary function (1).


Small joysticks grow bigger



Research shows that small or shorter joysticks expands more in length compared to longer ones when they become erect.

In one study, researchers measured the penis size of 2,770 men and found that shorter joysticks increased in size by 86% when they become erect. This is nearly twice that of longer joysticks, which increased in length by only 47% when erect (3).

Similarly, another research published in 1988 in the Journal of Sex Research showed that there is no big difference in length between long joysticks and shorter ones when erect. The difference only become noticeable when both are in their flaccid statuses (4).

For instance, while the average length of flaccid joysticks differ by about 1.2 inches, the same joysticks when erect differ in length by only 0.67 inches (3, 4).

This implies that you may be unable to make assumptions just based on the size of a flaccid penis.


Many men erroneously think they’re not large enough



Several studies find that many men have concerns that their penis is not large enough and that they are smaller compared to other men.

A research based on an internet survey of 25,594 men found that 45% of men wish they had a larger penis and 66% considered their penis to be of average size (6).

In another research which was a nationally representative survey of 4198 men aged 18-65 years residing in the U.S., only 58% of men were satisfied with the length of their erect penis (7).

Similarly, many research show that most men seeking penis enlargement surgery have normal sized joysticks (8, 11, 12).

In a study which included 92 patients who visited the hospital complaining of small-sized penis and sought surgical penile lengthening procedure, researchers performed penile-size evaluation and found that none of the patients had short penis and none had erectile dysfunction. In fact, 45.5% of them had erect penis lengths (measured by researchers) of 5.12 inches (13.0 cm) or longer, with another 44.5% measuring 3.94–5.12 inches (10.01–13.0 cm) (.

The excessive concerns many men have about the size of their manhood may have been the result of people taunting them during their adolescent days or after a sexual partner said something about the size. There is also the influence of the historical focus on the penis as the symbol of masculinity, pornography and erotic literature with their emphasis on large joysticks.

In many cases, however, many men simply have overestimation of what the normal size of the penis should be (8, 11, 12).

Most men believe that the average length of an erect penis is greater than 6 inches (15.24 cm). But evidence from recent research shows that this is a myth.

Data released by the England’s National Health Service (NHS) in 2019 show that the average penis size when erect is 5.1 inches (3, 10).

Similarly, in another research published in 2021, researchers examined 22 studies and concluded that the average length of an erect penis is between 5.1 to 5.5 inches (8, 11). The authors added that after taking into account volunteer bias (men with larger joysticks might have been more likely to volunteer to be measured than men with smaller joysticks), it is probably toward the lower end of this range, that is 5.1 inches.

Men’s worries about their personal inadequacies have created a huge market for penis enlargement products and procedures, most of which are unproven.

Most men complaining about short penis could be treated with counselling, sex education with objective methods of penile size evaluation and reassurance. This combination has been proven to correct any previous sexual misconceptions, relieve unnecessary anxiety concerning penile size, and decrease the desire to patronise unproven penis enlargement products or undertake risky penile lengthening surgery (11).




Most women have very little interest in the size



This may come as a surprise to most men, but several research have shown that most women have very little interest in the size of their partner’s manhood. In fact, numerous studies show that majority of women are satisfied with their partner’s penis size.

The research based on an internet survey of more than 50,000 men and women (specifically 26,437 women and 25,594 men) found that whereas 85% of women were “very satisfied” with their partner’s penis size, only 55% of men were satisfied with their penis size (6). Only 14% of women wish their man’s penis were larger.

The 85% figure in this research with huge number of participants means that 7 out of every 8 women think their man is just fine, corroborating the assertion by many consultant in sexual medicine and sex therapists that size doesn’t matter to the substantial majority of women.

Furthermore, experts have identified vaginal adaptation as a one of the possible reason penis size is likely of minor importance for female sexual satisfaction. Physiological studies show that the vagina adapts to fit the size of the penis. Because of this vaginal adaptation, some researchers regard the vagina as a potential space rather than an actual space.

According to experts, top on the priority of women when it comes to sex include things like whether the man is romantic, tender and sensitive to their needs and desires (13).

This should be reassuring to the many men who worry needlessly about their penis size.


The first erection happens early



It’s pretty strange but true that erections begin in the womb.

Scientists have used ultrasound scans to demonstrate that male fetuses can experience erections in the womb.

A study published in 1991 suggests that fetal erections occur most commonly during a stage of sleep called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Also, these erections can happen a number of times each hour (5).

Scientists are not sure of the significance of fetal erections but it appears to be an evidence of appropriate genital development and a positive sign of fetal well being.


Night-time erections



Most men have, on the average, 3 to 5 erections per night, with each erection lasting 20 to 30 minutes. The last in the series of night-time erections may occur early morning on waking up, and is informally called morning glory.

Night-time erections are common, completely normal and may be accompanied by ejaculations (wet dreams).

Scientists don’t fully understand the cause or reason for night-time erections, but research has reported that, like male fetal erections, it is closely associated with the phase of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This is the lightest stage of sleep, during which dreaming is most common and a person may wake easily.

However, experts generally agree that night-time or early morning erections are a sign that the erectile system is working properly (at least physically – the penis, nerves and hormones are normal).

Therefore, if a man has difficulty achieving an erection when awake but still experiences night-time erections, it may be an indication that there is a psychological issue, rather than a physical problem.

But if he does not get erections during sleep, the issue may be physical.


One final erection



One final thing you probably didn’t know about the manhood is the death erection, also called angel lust or terminal erection. it happens in the moments after death.

Most commonly, it is observed in the corpses of men who have died from hanging, whether an execution or a suicide. Death erection in this circumstance has been attributed to pressure from the noose on a part of the brain called cerebellum.

However, death erection may also occur in men who died from gunshots to the head, damage to major blood vessels, poisoning and overdose of sildenafil (Viagra), which is a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Can death erection impregnate a woman? Yes, it is possible theoretically. But that is if the woman commits necrophilia on the dead man in the early hours of death and if the discharged fluid contain sperms, which is a possibility if for instance the dead person played sex earlier on.

For more, including references please click the link below

https://www.yourhealthng.com.ng/2021/08/20/things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-penis/