Surgery Doesn’t Mean Free Love
It seems like the perfect contraception: no weird hormones, devices or latex. Ever. One date with a surgeon, and then it's bareback, babyproof sex forever after. Well, sort of. In reality, most men may not be able to get down to (unprotected) business as quickly as they’d like. That’s because sperm are little warriors, and they tend to stay on guard for up to two months post-op, which means that guys need to be using protection until their doctors give them the all-clear. Vasectomy can also fail (in about 0.02 percent of cases) when sperm find another route to the vas deferens in a process called recanalization. (Find out some other things you may not know about contraception in
Top 9 Contraception Misconceptions.)
No Relationship Between Flaccid Size and Erect Size
This seems counterintuitive, but apparently the size of a penis when flaccid isn’t much of a hint of what it’ll look like when it’s erect. In one study of 80 men, researchers found that while some penises grew by up to 3.5 inches when they became erect, others only take on an extra half inch. That means new fodder for locker-room bragging - because in this case what you see may not be what you ... er ... get.
Vibrators Work on the Penis Too
Vibrators are largely marketed to women, but here’s a little secret: They work on men too. In fact, the penis is the equivalent to the female
clitoris. So, although sensation is less concentrated, many men can achieve orgasm with the help of a vibrator, specifically by holding it under the head of the penis.
It’s a Weapon
We know men like to think of their penises as powerful, threatening things. As it turns out, the penis is a weapon - a boomerang to be exact - or at least it resembles one. In 2007, researchers in Holland put couples into an MRI and watched them have sex. What they discovered was that the penis was actually one-third longer than it appeared (of course, men have been saying this for years!) and - at least in missionary position - is shaped like a boomerang during intercourse. No word yet on what it looks like in wheelbarrow position, but rest assured that researchers are on the case.
Most Aren’t Circumcised
According to a 2007 report by the World Health Organization , only about 30 percent of men are circumcised worldwide. But that varies according to where you live; in the United States, 80 percent of men are circumcised. There are a range of reasons why circumcision is performed, including religion, health and even aesthetics, but the medical community is largely ruling it to be cosmetic, rather than medically necessary.
Foreskin Is Handy Stuff
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, circumcision rates have been on the decline for decades. We know that men don't strictly need their foreskin, but what many people don't know is that it can do more good out in world than it can in its owner’s Jockey shorts. Really. In fact, one infant’s discarded foreskin can grow enough skin to cover six football fields. Of course, that’s not what it’s used for; it’s grown to treat burn victims and others with serious skin injuries.
So there you have it. These are just a few interesting facts about the penis. But here’s one more: Each one’s different. So whether you’re a man or a woman, get to know the big Johnson in your life on an individual level - it’ll make for a better sex life for both you and your partner.
