It’s TWICE as long as you think and why you wake up with an erection – 9 penis facts revealed
YOU use it every day, and may even call it your pride and joy, but how much do you really know about your penis?
You might think you wake up with an erection because you've had a rather erotic dream, but the real reason is far less sexy.
It's actually there to prevent a nasty accident...and that's not all it can do.
Whatever you call it, schlong, willy or todger, your member performs some rather impressive tasks.
In fact, the evolution of the human race has depended on a man's ability to get an erection - so we can safely say your dad's worked.
But that being said, your manhood is also capable of letting you down (no pun intended) and is also slightly uncontrollable.
Yes, sorry fellas, that means you can't control how long you last between the sheets.
And if you thought that was the worst of your worries, think again.
You can actually break your penis - think shattered urethras and torn muscles - enough to make the burliest man wince.
From the moment you are born to the time you take your last breath, here are nine things you may not have known about your penis.
1. Standing to attention
Most men get erections when they are sleeping.
About three to five a night, in fact.
It all goes back to REM sleep, mentioned above, which seems to stimulate the erectile tissue.
It's not entirely clear why this happens, but one theory is it stops you wetting the bed.
That's because having a full bladder stimulates nerves in a similar region to the nerves involved in getting it up, and an erection inhibits your ability to wee.
But the same thing can happens when women have a full bladder - their clitoral nerves are stimulated - so it may not be as simple as that.
Sleep erections can actually be a useful diagnostic tool for erectile dysfunction.
If a man can get an erection when he is asleep but not when he is awake then it is a fairly clear indication that the issue is a psychological one and not physical.
2. Good news fellas....it's TWICE as long as you think
Alright, settle down, there's no need to jump for joy.
But yes, your manhood is double the size you think.
Before you think you have been measuring (yes, we know) wrong your whole life, you haven't.
The erectile tissue that form the penis extend right into your body - about half of its entire length to be precise.
And if you are wishing more of it was on the outside you may want to think twice because it needs to be that far into you body to remain connected to your anatomy.
So, we're guessing you would rather it stay put.
3. Stop trying because you can't control when you ejaculate
Unfortunately boys, no matter how hard you try you can't stop yourself from ejaculating.
It's just one of those things that, when in the heat of the moment, just has to happen.
There have been studies to suggest that thinking about something else can delay the grand finale, but the part of your body that controls your orgasm is actually in your spine.
You have an aptly named region in the spinal cord called the spinal ejaculation generator that controls your nervous system when stimulated, which results in ejaculation.
Studies are currently underway to see if stimulating this region can help provide a cure for premature ejaculation.
But for now if you suffer from the condition, which is the most common form of sexual dysfunction in men, then there are a range of products including sprays and wipes that can help you in the bedroom.
A 1991 study found foetal erections occur the most during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and they can happen several times an hour.
On the topic of erections and sleep, that's something that happens to men throughout their lives, but more on that later.
6. On the subject of getting it up...
Here's something that might cheer a lot of men up about death - sometimes you can get it up one final time even once you've passed on.
It most commonly occurs in men who have died from hanging or head trauma.
Scientists believe it's caused by pressure on the part of the brain responsible for erections.
But it doesn't happen all the time.
7. Eye watering!
Here's a fact that will get every single man tightly crossing his legs.
You can break you penis.
It often happens during very passionate sex and occurs when the covering of the erectile muscles ruptures - a word no man has ever wanted to hear while getting frisky.
It is caused by rapid blunt force to an erect penis.
This typically occurs during vaginal intercourse, or aggressive masturbation.
There are several dangerous positions to put your manhood in, think doggy style and cowgirl, and it's painful enough to put a halt on all proceedings for some time.
Although, hats off to this guy who fractured his penis during a passionate romp with his girlfriend only to keep going and notice 12 hours later.
8. To the point
You might think that you should only point in one direction when you're hard.
But that's not true at all.
Studies have suggested that the angle your member dangles at determines the way it points when it stands to attention.
And it can point up, to the left, to the right and even down - it's all totally normal.
While we are talking about angles, most penises are not completely straight either.
So if your fella has a slight curve there's no need to panic.
9. Size doesn't matter
You've heard the saying "show-er or a grower" before, but it actually holds very little value.
A study of more than 200 men has previously found that there is no relationship between the length of a flaccid penis and the length when it's erect.
Some men do grow to be a bigger size when they are turned on (lucky them) but it's perfectly normal if yours remains the same length.
The fact is, there is no normal size.
Some penises are very large even when soft and some are smaller.
Some get much bigger when erect and some only grow a little.
But don't worry if you're a little on the small side boys, there is no suggestion well endowed men are any better in the sack.
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