People have always been curious about the male anatomy. If you’re one of these people, welcome! We’re about to debunk myths and misconceptions while uncovering some fascinating facts about the penis. Get ready to impress your friends with your newfound penile trivia as we dive into the realities!
10. Lusting for Angels
Angel lust is a poetic term for death erections. Yes, a man can get an erection after death, especially in violent circumstances like judicial hangings, gunshots to the head, poisoning, or crucifixion. Women can also experience this, though it’s less noticeable.
Death erections are most common in judicial hangings, occurring in about one-third of cases. It’s the violent drop that affects this. These hangings typically involve a drop of 4–6 feet (1.5–1.8 meters), unlike suicides, where 50% aren’t fully suspended.
Headshots, hangings, crucifixion, and violent poisonings all damage the brain, spinal cord, or major arteries, influencing blood flow to the genitals. Angel lust isn’t sexual but a physical response to pressure on these systems.
9. Sheathing: A Sign of… Status
Throughout history, the penis sheath has represented cultural identity, social status, and masculinity. It has been used as a protective garment and a symbol of prestige.
In Papua New Guinea, the koteka serves a practical purpose to secure and protect the penis but has evolved to signify tribe affiliation. The position and tilt tell a societal narrative. An upright koteka indicates virginity; a right tilt signifies high rank, and a left angle indicates middle class.
In historical Europe, codpieces covered genitals and became a fashion statement reflecting social status; the bigger, the better. Loincloths and similar sheaths were used in Africa, the Americas, and Asia.
8. Spiny Penises Used to Be All the Rage
A 2011 study found that humans lost DNA that formed penile spines about 700,000 years ago. Early ancestors had spines like those found in chimps.
These spines supposedly increased sexual sensation and removed rival sperm. This aligns with when Homo sapiens showed more complex social structures and monogamy.
Spiny penises, enhancing sexual sensation, would encourage quick encounters. Losing spines allowed for longer sex, leading to pair bonding, deeper social connections, and cooperative communities.
Humans might still have penile spines in the form of pearly papules, found in up to 48% of adult men. These might contribute to premature ejaculation in 40% of men.
7. Extraterrestrial Erections: Failure to Launch
On Earth, even a breeze can cause an erection. But in space, a “taffy pull” (blood flow to the head and chest) is more likely than an erection.
Blood distribution changes in weightlessness, with more blood flowing to vital areas and less to the genitals. The absence of gravity makes erections difficult.
NASA wants to study this in detail as humans explore space. Arousal is challenging but possible; the effects on conception, pregnancy, and birth are unknown, as is the pleasure of space sex.
6. A Long, Hard Look at Erection Duration
An erection that won’t quit might sound great until it lasts for days! Elliott Rossiter, 41, experienced this during a casual gathering in France. His erection appeared suddenly and wouldn’t go away for 36 hours.
After 19 grueling hours, even anti-inflammatory and steroid medications did nothing. Rushed to a hospital, he was diagnosed with priapism, a painful erection unrelated to sexual stimulation.
Doctors said he’d lose his manhood without surgery. The operation involved draining stagnant blood. He was left with scars and erectile dysfunction lasting months, a small price to pay.
This highlights the warning in little blue pill commercials: see a doctor if an erection lasts over four hours; you’ll need medical help to resolve it.
5. Measuring Up: The “Two-Finger” Rule
Ancient Greeks preferred smaller male genitalia, symbolizing refinement, according to scholars like John Clarke.
The “two-finger rule” stated the ideal male genitalia was no wider than two fingers.
A small penis signified intelligence, rationality, and self-control, while a larger penis indicated stupidity, lust, and lack of restraint.
This is reflected in art, with statues showing small endowments, and creatures like satyrs, known for lust, with large members.
If you feel inadequate today, take heart: the ancient Greeks would have considered you ideal.
4. Diphallia: A Tale of Two D’s
Diphallia is a rare condition where a male is born with two penises. Only 100 cases have been documented in over 400 years. Dr. Johannes Jacob Wecker discovered it in 1609 while studying a cadaver.
Diagnosis is straightforward. There’s a spectrum from glans diphallia to complete diphallia. Treatment is surgical, usually removing the extra penis and urethra.
Diphallia isn’t dangerous alone but is often accompanied by defects like a divided scrotum or kidney abnormalities. A man with diphallia can lead a normal life, as the story of “Triple D” shows.
“Triple D” claims to be a man with complete diphallia who has slept with over 1,000 people, though his claims are unverified.
3. Appearance Matters; Size—Not So Much
It’s not all about size. A Swiss study shows women value the overall cosmetic appearance more than length.
When asked to compare photographs, penis length ranked sixth out of eight aspects.
85% of women are satisfied with their partner’s penis size, compared to only 55% of men. Women care less about size. A study using 3D models suggests women prefer slightly larger penises, but only for one-time encounters, not long-term relationships.
2. Fast Flyers, Slow Swimmers
Every ejaculation sends 80 to 300 million sperm on a suicide mission, traveling 6-7 inches (15-18 centimeters). Only 200 sperm ever reach the egg.
Sperm travel at 28 mph during ejaculation and swim at 0.00018 mph (5 mm/minute), about five times their length per second, reaching the egg in 15 to 45 minutes.
Sperm are extremely fast swimmers; scaled to 6 feet (1.8 meters), they swim four times faster than Olympic gold medalists.
They can survive and wait for an egg for up to five days if ovulation hasn’t occurred.
1. You Got Whatcha Got, So Don’t Throw a Fit
Your penis size is likely normal. Most men who think their penis is “too small” are within the average range. An erect length of about 5 inches (13 centimeters) is on the mark.
Genetics play a big role, and genes don’t change because you want them to. Claims of easy enlargement via pumps, pills, or exercises promising god-like prowess are common.
Jelqing, pumps, rings, medicine, and fillers make these claims, but there’s minimal scientific evidence to support long-term gains.
These techniques can harm your penis. Surgery results are mixed and can cause infection, scarring, and loss of sensation.
You don’t need a larger penis for better sex or attractiveness. Pleasing your partner involves communication, understanding their needs, and focusing on overall health, improving your relationship more than size ever could.
So, embrace what you have and focus on making the most of it!
What did you find most surprising? Leave your comment below and share your thoughts!
