7 things you need to know about the penis for better sex.

The penis. It doesn’t get much attention (purely editorial attention, I’m talking) compared to the vagina. While columns of content, and innumerable Reddit threads, are dedicated to (first of all finding) and then stimulating the female G-Spot and clitoris. The penis is somewhat neglected.

Why? Because it’s easier to find (hopefully), simpler to stimulate and more readily coaxed into orgasm (no offence, to all those sensitive phalluses out there). 

Sure, it’s a seemingly straight-forward type of an instrument, but here are 7 facts that we found surprising when it comes to men’s nether regions. 

Men should do Kegals too. 

Male Kegals are good for sex. Like, really good for sex.

By regularly contracting the muscles of the pelvic floor, men can strengthen their erections and intensify their orgasms. When done several times a day, these exercises will also help prevent urinary incontinence.

Trouble is, identifying the muscles to contract can be trickly. The best way to discover this, is by stopping the flow of urine during urination. The muscles used to do this, are the same muscles that will lead to stronger erections and more pleasurable orgasms.

You could potentially do your Kegals together. Watching TV? Give me 20! (without the urine, most probably #nojudgement).

Smoking and erections don’t mix.

If there was ever a case for quitting cigarettes, this is it. Smokers have weaker erections than non-smokers, and long-term cigarette smoking can shorten the penis by up to a centimetre. Erections are all about blood flow; smoking is bad for blood flow and a centimetre-shortage is bad for sex.

Oral sex makes the penis bigger.

(Please note, this post was not written by a man.) The link between oral sex and penis size has been scientifically proven (the researchers may have been male, just a guess?) but the numbers don’t lie.

Research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine set out to discover the average penis size, by asking men to self-report the length of their erect penis, as well as the trigger of that erection. Oral sex resulted in significantly bigger erections, which (theoretically) leads to significantly better sex.

Yet another reason for kinky foreplay.

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The penis has sensitive zones (yes, zone-‘S’). 

The degree of ‘sensitivity’ is the same for both men and women (I know, I know, stay with me). Both genders respond to the same level of touch – just two-tenths of a gram of pressure is enough to kick things off.

The most sensitive areas for men include the tip of the foreskin and the area on the underside of the penis called the frenulum. For women, it’s the inner labia.

This sensitivity does decline with age, however. Remember ladies, the “two F’s” (foreskin and frenulum) and a stronger grip after every birthday.

Vibrators work for men, as well.

Nothing, it seems, (NOT EVEN THE VIBRATOR) is sacred to women.

As many women might attest, vibrators work at frequencies that are more targeted to the nervous system. For this reason, they can trigger orgasm when placed on the underside of the penis, below the head (all about that frenulum, ladies). This can be effective for men who are having trouble reaching orgasm or maintaining an erection.

Mamamia’s podcast about sex, The Prude And The Porn Star, has ALL the useful tips:

(It can also just be used for just a good time.)

Pleasure doesn’t stop and start with the penis.

The prostate gland, or the “P-Spot”, similar to the female “G-Spot” (and, arguably, just as difficult to locate) is another area of sexual pleasure in men. You can stimulate this externally, by rubbing the smooth span of skin between the testicles and the anus (otherwise known as the perineum).

You can also stimulate this gland internally, by sticking your finger inside the anus and feeling around for a “peanut sized” knot of nerves. Probs best to have a conversation about this, before going in for the kill. (The “Two F’s” are sounding better and better, ladies… just saying.)

As well as (or maybe instead of) the “P-Spot”, don’t forget the nipples. Research has found that the same parts of the brain that light up with genital stimulation, are also turned on when the nipples are being sucked / licked / tickled / fondled / whatever-else-you-can-do-with-nipples.

Things You Can’t Talk About On TV | How long is the average schlong. Post continues below video. 

Men have to ‘use it or lose it’.

Just like any muscle, the penis is a ‘use it or lose it’ kind of appendage. Men will experience involuntary erections multiple times throughout the day and night, all in the name of bringing blood and oxygen supply to the smooth muscle of the penis shaft, of course.

With this comes better erectile function and, following this, better sex. The same goes for sex itself. The more sex (or masturbation) a man has, the stronger his erection will become. Also, men who ejaculate more than 21 times each month have a lower risk of prostate cancer than men who come four to seven times a month. How’s that for an excuse?

It’s not always what you think it is. 

Your perception, when it comes to the penis and sex itself, is often deceptive. Research out of Germany has found the average duration of intercourse is 2 minutes and 50 seconds, yet women perceive it to last for 5 minutes, 30 seconds. Either one sounds equally as depressing, but at least our memory is favourable.

Similarly, we have a habit of overestimating the size of a penis. A study at the University of California asked women to play with a 3D printed dildo for 30-seconds. The participants were then asked to reach into a bin of 32 other fake penises to pick the one they held before. Women regularly picked a penis that was bigger than the one they actually held. A somewhat terrifying thought.

via GIPHY