Phallic Shapes And Features
There Are 20 Different Penis Types; and They’re All Important
Based on the works of Adrienne Santos-Longhurst, for Healthline.
Listen to the Podcast at How To sex.
Penises come in a wide variety of different shapes, sizes, and styles, and you
can have sex that satisfies you and your partner no matter how you’re
hung. Trying out plenty of positions can help you find the ones that hit just
the right spot.
Penises are as unique as the people they hang from, and they’re all good.
More than good, really.
There’s no such thing as a bad shape or size; just bad information on how
to use it.
Let’s talk about what makes all penises awesome, how to love the one
you’ve got, and how to make the most of it if you have sex.
The penis is an organ (no, not a muscle) that’s made
primarily of spongy tissue. This spongy tissue fills with blood to cause an
erection, so you can have penetrative solo or partnered sex.
It looks pretty straightforward, but a penis is actually quite complex, thank
you very much. It consists of the glans (head), corpus (shaft), and prepuce
(foreskin). It’s also home to the urethra; the thin tube through which
urine and semen exits the body.
What’s the typical shape, size, and other characteristics?
If there’s anything typical about penis shape, it’s that most tend
to be cylindrical, often with a wider; or at least a more pronounced; head.
Like a banana, this penis curves slightly upward, at least
when it’s erect.
Orgasms aren’t the be-all and end-all of partnered sex, but having the
upward curve provides an advantage by making it easier to stimulate the G-spot,
A-spot, and prostate.
Pro tip: You can keep it simple with any variation of the missionary position
and still rock their world thanks to that curve. That goes for penis-in-vagina
The curved downward penis is just as it sounds: a penis
that, when hard, has a slight downward curve. Think: A banana turned upside
down.
Like your upward counterpart, your curve also gives you an edge when it comes
to reaching the hot spots that run along the front wall of the vagina or
rectum.
The key to making the most of the curve is flipping your partner(s) around to
get you closer to those pleasure spots.
Pro tip: Turn that frown upside down with rear-entry positions.
This type of penis has a noticeable curve to the right. If
you or a partner is rockin’ a curve, a willingness to experiment with
different angles will help you find what works for everyone.
Positions that allow you to work the curve toward the front wall of the vagina
or rectum give you the same hot-spot advantage as those with banana shapes.
Pro tip: Try the T-bone. This position begins with the penetrating partner on
their side with their curve pointed toward the sky. The receiving partner lies
on their back in a T angle and drapes their legs over their partner’s hip,
ready for P-in-V or anal.
The straight penis maintains pretty much the same shape from
With no angles to accommodate, you can eenie-meenie-miney-mo
your way through every sex position you both consent to with little-to-no
tweaking required.
Pro tip: Give and get the most with any position that makes it easy to reach
each other’s erogenous zones for simultaneous, manual, or sex toy play.
Bigger base with narrow head
This penis is thicker at the base and narrows as you get closer to the head,
Like all shapes, this one’s got some solid perks. The
narrower head makes for easier entry, and a wider base provides more stimulation
Pro tip: If you’re both open to anal, the cone is
basically built for butt play (just like butt plugs) because the gradual
increase in girth helps stretch the anus. Use a lot of lube and tease with just
the tip before going deeper.
Narrow base with larger head
The hammer penis, which is long and thin with a much larger
head, has all the makings for a good nailing. Wink.
The extra girth at the tip stimulates the vaginal or rectal walls, creating
friction that’ll feel good for both.
Pro tip: Choose positions that allow the receiver to open wide and stimulate
their clit or peen at the same time for easier entry. Classics positions, like
missionary and cow, are totally hammer-friendly.
Penises don’t just come in different shapes. They come
in a variety of lengths and thicknesses, too. Regardless of the combo
you’re working with, the right moves can make them all pleasurable.
Smaller-than-average length and girth
The “gherkin” falls on the shorter and narrower
side of average. Don’t you dare knock the smaller stature, because
porn-sized D’s aren’t necessary for amazing sex.
Pro tip: If you want to go deep, some positions are better than others. Doggy
style is one of the best for P-in-V or anal sex if you each like it deep. If
you’re flexible, the pile driver is fantastic.
Shorter-than-average length and thick girth
The “kielbasa” is shorter, stout, and able to
stimulate the vaginal or rectal walls like nobody’s business.
There are oodles of sensitive nerve-endings packed in and around either entry
point, so the shorter length makes for some pretty toe-curling penetration for
both parties.
Pro tip: Use lots of lube, take it slow, and master the dog positions, like
traditional doggy or downward-facing dog (yes, like the yoga pose), if you want
to go deep and hit the G, A, or P spot.
Congrats, Goldicocks! The “cucumber” isn’t
too big or too small, but just right for any position you want to try; no
tweaking necessary.
Pro tip: Experiment to find your most mind-blowing positions. Try variations on
all the classics, and throw some standing sex positions into the mix.
Larger-than-average length and girth
The “salami” is the type of appendage
you’re most likely to see in porn: long and thick. While it may leave
some jumping for joy, it can also be a little daunting to take in —
literally.
The key to making the most of it is to use lots of lube and try positions that
let the receiver have more control.
Pro tip: Lube up, and try positions that allow the partner on the receiving end
to keep their legs tight to control the depth. You can do this with missionary,
spooning, and even rear-entry positions.
Larger-than-average length and thin girth
To be clear, the “pencil” type isn’t
actually pencil-thin, but it’s notably longer and narrower than average.
To make the best use of a thin penis, stick to tight-legged positions. The
tighter space is pleasurable for all and still lets the receiver control how
much of the length they take in.
Pro tip: Try spooning. Coming in from behind creates a tight space and requires
extra length; which this type’s got; to reach. Spooning also works for
anal and can be ramped up by adding a dildo for some DP action. You’re
Regardless of race, a penis can be considerably different
from the rest of the person it’s attached to. The same goes for vulvas
and nipples.
This is because of your sex hormones regulate melanocyte cellsTrusted Source,
which are responsible for pigmentation.
Rising testosterone levels throughout life makes skin darker, with a brown or
grayish hue down there. Blood flow during erections can make it reddish or even
purple.
It’s all totally common and has zero impact on function.
Circumcised penises; which make up 37 to 39 percent of the
peens of the world; have had the foreskin removed. This means the head is on
display at all times, and there’s no need to pull back skin to access it.
When it comes to pleasure, having or not having foreskin makes no difference.
Pro tip: Lube always makes for a good time, whether you have foreskin or not.
But if you’re cut, using it could minimize chafing for you during a long
or particularly snuggly session.
An uncircumcised penis has the foreskin intact. Only part of
the head is visible unless it’s erect and, even then, it depends on how
much skin there is.
Pro tip: Foreskin works like a sleeve o’ pleasure when enjoying solo or
partnered hand action. Alternate between sliding it back and forth over the
head and gently pulling it back and exposing the head for some targeted
Hair around the base of the penis and balls is pretty much a
given, unless it’s removed. You may even notice a few stragglers on the
shaft. It’s all good!
Pro tip: If you’re going au naturel, be sure to keep things clean and
fresh. If you or a partner prefers a trim or hairless nether region, take care
to avoid painful mishaps.
With not a vein or bump in sight, a smooth penis makes for a
silky smooth entry.
Pro tip: Want more? Mix things up with textured condoms or a cock ring for a
totally different sensation.
Some cocks have uber-accentuated veins, especially when
they’re aroused. A veiny penis comes down to genetics and muscle, and
it’s totally not a big deal.
Pro tip: Even super veiny peens are unlikely to affect how penetration feels,
but if you want to change it up, you can try thicker or differently textured
Freckles come down to pigmentation that can be more
pronounced in some areas than others. It’s purely aesthetic.
Pro tip: Freckles on any skin is typical, but if you or your partner is worried
that the spotted appearance may be more than freckles, hit pause and talk with
a healthcare professional.
A show-er refers to a penis that stays pretty much the same
size whether it’s erect or not. Experts don’t know why it happens,
but it appears to be relatively common according to the research available.
Pro tip: Proceed as usual!
According to one study of 274 participants, 26% of penises
are growers, which means they get bigger when they’re hard.
Pro tip: Nothing more to do except get busy!
Think you know it all when it comes to your penis? Here are
some things you might not know, but should.
Boners help keep your penis healthy
Boners happen by way of blood flow and that blood carries oxygen to you penis
that helps keep it in shape.
If you’re able to get erections, by all means do. Masturbate, have sex
with a partner, or do anything else that gets you hard; whether you climax or
not. Sex dreams and morning wood count.
Keeping your body and mind healthy, matters, too.
Your physical and mental health can impact your penis health, so staying on top
of both is important if you want to keep your penis functioning at its best.
The same healthy lifestyle habits that reduce your risk of chronic diseases can
also help your penis, including:
eating a balanced diet
getting regular movement
getting enough sleep
keeping your stress levels down
limiting or avoiding smoking
Be safe, for penis sake!
If you have partnered sex, use a barrier and get tested for sexually
transmitted infections (STI) as often as is recommended. Your partners should
ideally do the same.
If you plan to have sex without a condom, know the risks and have a candid
conversation with your partner(s) about status and expectations.
Learning about preventative medications is also a good idea.
Lube doesn’t just provide the wet and slippery goodness
that feels oh so good; it also reduces the risk of an STI.
Lube prevents too much friction, which causes condoms to break and irritates
and tears the skin of the penis, vagina, or anus, opening you and your
partner(s) up to infections.
Getting to know your penis will make it easier to spot any
new or unusual changes that could indicate an underlying health condition.
Pay attention to how your dick looks and feels when you masturbate. Take a
moment to inspect it in the shower. Don’t forget to check your balls
while you’re at it.
A new or significant curvature could be a sign of Peyronie’s disease, a
plaque formation on the corporal body of the penis that can cause difficulty
with sexual intercourse. See a doctor if your notice a new curve or bend to
your penis.
See a healthcare professional if you or a partner notices anything out of the
ordinary, like lumps or bumps, discoloration, or unusual discharge.
Based on the works of Adrienne Santos-Longhurst, for Healthline
Recklessness ruptured my plumbing, and permanently
By Anonymous. Listen to the Podcast at How To Sex.
I am writing this mainly because there is not a lot of
information about this particular injury
Around October of last year I was having sex with my
girlfriend, when I thrust too hard at the wrong angle and tore my Urethra and
two blood vessels in my penis.
When the injury first occurred I was close to climaxing.
Because of this, when the injury happened and the blood vessels and urethra
were torn, blood started mixing into my urethra. I was cumming blood
I was not in pain but I could feel that my
dick was not pointing in the right direction and turned on the lights, blood
was everywhere and pouring out of me at an alarming rate (think you’re
cumming but it doesn’t stop and its blood)
At this point I’m panicking and yell out that I need
to go to the hospital immediately.
I throw on loose pants without zipping them up, a hoodie,
and grab a towel to soak the blood that’s coming out. Then me and my girl
The hospital near me specialized in bodily injury and
doesn’t have the type of urologist doctor that I need to see, so I have
to drive 30 minutes away to the closest hospital that has a Urology department.
Once I get to this secondary hospital, I am immediately taken
in and put into a room of my own once they see my dick; and about an hour later
I see a Urologist who runs some tests and tells me about the ruptured urethra
The surgery is a process called “de gloving”
where they “de-glove” the skin around your penis, roll it down, and
make an incision into the underside of the skin and go in and stitch up the
torn vessels and urethra, these are dissolvable stitches and they stay in your
penis until they go away on their own.
About 8 hours later I actually went into surgery, I
don’t remember anything. I was wheeled into the operating room and the
anesthesiologist cracked a dumb joke, and then I was out.
I woke up with my penis wrapped up in bandages and a
catheter in me. If you have never had to use a catheter, count yourself lucky.
I was told I needed to keep the catheter in for 10 days.
These were the longest 10 days of my life. If you asked me
what the pain was on a scale of 1-10, it was 7 with the opioids, and 11 without
Any little movement with my penis and I got searing pain.
Wearing any type of clothes was out because I just could not take it, I was
pretty much naked during those ten days. Anytime the catheter twisted? Pain.
Anytime I had to roll out of bed to go get something from the fridge? Pain.
As the men reading this will know, erections are not really
voluntary, we just get them sometimes. Morning wood is a real thing and its not
Want to know what getting an erection feels like when you
have stitches in your dick and a catheter? Worse than words could ever explain.
I woke up screaming three times a night. I would tear
something and I could see the stale blood along the catheter as my erections
came and went. The blood became crispy, and if I didn’t clean it when it
happened, the next erection would be 5 times as painful because it would grow
along the stale, sharp leftover blood on the catheter.
I quickly learned how to kill erections, but it was still
really bad. I’m actually leaving out some details because I’m not
fully recovered yet and the phantom pain comes back as I’m trying to
As of today, I have the catheter out and can walk around
again, but erections are still painful, I imagine that will go away in the next
Yes, You Really Can Fracture a Penis shaft — Here's
Proceed with caution if you're squeamish.
There are a lot of sexual myths out
there, but doctors confirm that broken penises aren't one of them. Remember
when Lexie Grey supposedly broke Mark Sloan's penis back when all our favorite
characters on Grey's Anatomy were still alive? Nope, Shonda
Rhimes wasn't making that up. While there aren't actually bones in the
penis, a penile fracture is a real-life injury. We spoke to several urologists
to learn how it happens, what a broken penis looks like, and how to treat one.
What exactly is a fractured penis (often known as a
First, a quick refresher on what inside a penis can break in
the first place: A penis contains two chambers of tissue called the corpus
cavernosum, which fill with blood when the penis becomes erect.
Blunt force to an erect penis can tear the sheath
surrounding these chambers (and even rupture the erectile tissue inside) so
that the blood inside leaks out to other areas of the penis. If you need
another visual, Alex
Shteynshlyuger, a urologist in New York City, says to think of this
covering less like a bone and "more like a sausage casing." (Doctors,
however, call the covering of the corpus cavernosum the "tunica
How do penile fractures happen?
A penis can be broken during vigorous penetrative sex or
through masturbation. When this happens during partnered sex involving a penis
and vagina, "generally speaking, the penis will come out of the vagina and
strike against the pubic bone," says Leslie
Deane, an associate professor of urology at Rush University Medical Center
While a penis can fracture during sex in any position, research
suggests that Female on top, or rear-entry positions such as
‘reverse cowgirl’ or ‘doggy style’ may lead to penile
fractures more often than ‘missionary’ or ‘spooning.’ A
penis may be more likely to exit a vagina or anus entirely when thrusting from
behind and then, instead of reentering, bang against something hard like the
perineum. (If you're an anal sex beginner, it's important to take things slow.
Deane says penile fractures aren't uncommon, and that he sees several cases a
year. He adds that he observes higher rates of the injury around Valentine's
Day and that alcohol is sometimes involved.
What does a broken dick look like?
According to Stacy Loeb, an
assistant professor of urology and population health at New York University, a
penile fracture may be accompanied by a popping noise, a rapid loss of
erection, and acute pain. "The penis may develop swelling and bruising,
referred to as an 'eggplant deformity,'" Loeb says. This means that the
eggplant emoji isn't totally off-base as a representation of dicks: It just
looks like a broken one. Shteynshlyuger adds that some penile fractures lead to
bleeding from the tip of the urethra and that patients may notice blood in
their urine. If you're having fun with a penis that suddenly "pops,"
goes soft, and causes its owner immense pain, seek medical attention
immediately. You might have a broken dick on your hands.
How is a broken penis treated?
Still reading? Good, because there's some positive news: If
treated, broken dicks stand a great chance of making a full recovery.
Unfortunately, Deane says, surgery is required in most cases. While there are
less severe penile injuries that can occur during sex, such as a tear of one of
the superficial veins, the only way to know for sure what's going on is to head
It's also important to do it fast: "Surgical repair of
the tear usually results in good outcomes," Shteynshlyuger emphasizes.
However, "If a penile fracture is severe and not treated in a timely
manner, it can lead to problems with obtaining or maintaining erections, [or]
it may also cause scar formation in the penis and a condition called Peyronie's
disease, which causes curvature and deformity of the penis."
After surgery to repair the ruptured "sausage
casing" inside the penis, the recovering patient should be able to have
sex again in about six to eight weeks, although Deane advises going slow at
first. This doesn't mean that wild, headboard-rattling sex is off the table
after a penile fracture, but it's not a bad idea for patients to ease their way
A rare condition that affects some men, is called Hard
Flaccid. They have a stiff, but smaller-than-erect cock. It’s painful,
inhibits real erection, prevents ejaculation, and has constant pain which increases
Our best investigations conclude that it comes from a likely
combination of muscle injury coupled with an anxiety or stress disorder. Many
people manifest stiff muscles under stress. More often it’s neck, back,
or chest muscles. But rarely it’s the pelvic floor muscles which
connect the pelvic bone to the tailbone. When women do Kegal exercises for
better vagina constriction, they are working those same pelvic floor muscle
But when a physical injury leads to muscle spasms, like
common back injuries cause, The spasms can lead to a precipitous chain of other
‘self preservation’ conditions.
The Hard Flaccid Syndrome is believed to be just such a
‘perfect storm’ chain of events.
Let’s hear from a few men who are dealing with this,
and what their progress entails.
“I had Hard-Flaccid for about two years. Low
labido, cold penis, glands sometimes had white spots. Then for about 8 months I
practiced relaxing, worked on my anxiety and anger issues and it all over time
I started off on anxiety meds and that's when I
noticed hard-flaccid getting better. Suddenly it hit me that the only thing I
hadn't thought of was managing my anxiety. I was on that for about 2 months.
Then when I got off the meds it started to get a little worse but I figured, if
it was really anxiety that caused it, then I needed to calm down, and stop
obsessing over it. I mean, I was absolutely obsessed with curing my hard
flaccid. So, I just stopped looking into it. I stopped looking for cures
online. I made the decision to just enjoy life for a change, better myself and
not think about all this all day. And slowly, it just returned to normal.
When I first really started taking my mental health
seriously, which was about 8 months ago, and the true beginning of my recovery
process I lifted weights about 5 days a week. I wouldn't call myself
heavyweight lifter. I did light moderate weight lifting. But I haven't been to
the gym since November. I plan on going back. I'm a firm believer of exercise
I masturbated during my healing process. I do
think it would have made things move along a little faster, if I didn't
masturbate at all, but I figured it was worse if I stressed over it. So, if I
was gonna masturbate, I was going to enjoy it and have no regrets about it.
I know how difficult this is for people so I
wanted to share my story and hope it helps many of you.”
“Mine likely developed from a lot of
sitting, possibly bad diet for a few days or spicy food that led to minor
constipation/difficult bowel movements, and general stress that increased
clenching. Who knew I could injury myself by crapping too hard?
Not totally sure though and I’m still in a minor
flare, softer down there today though.
Mine also went away pretty much completely for about 2
weeks recently, without sticking to any routine. I’m noticing some pelvic
floor inflammation and extra pain at the base as of a few days ago and the HF
has returned but in a more minor way. Hoping I can get over this again and also
trying to work on my anxiety.
My condition had suddenly turned into the thin &
weightless “long flaccid” and it freaked me out at first, but after
5 days or so of that I pretty much just accepted any variance in that as good and
got myself into a positive feedback loop. Note that I am an extremely
high-strung person and this wasn’t easy but I was so desperate that it
was imperative that I just let go. So pushing everything surrounding this shit
to the back of my mind but also staying afloat on any positive changes like
better hang, better fullness temporarily etc. I think this mental state was and
is a huge part of the condition to focus on for most people but also a big
reason why it is so fickle.
I don’t know if something in particular in terms
of lifestyle or diet caused this recent return to HF but I do know that my
anxiety surrounding the condition was a little worse for a few days this week.
I can clearly feel the issue of dysfunction at the base which seems to stem
from my IC and BC muscles, because when the both the Hard-Flaccid and
Long-Flaccid states leveled out and I was feeling good and much closer to
normal I still dealt with many of the muscular symptoms, or what I’m
Anxiety can be so hidden in our psyche and I’ve
literally watched it, like a switch going on and off, effect at least the
peripheral symptoms of this condition. I’ve practiced no-fap, which means
abstaining from jerking off; mainly as an experiment but my erection quality is
astounding at this point in time.
As anxiety is dealt with, libido should increase as
well as Erection Quality in the absence of a more severe issue. The uncertainty
of this condition is so hard to deal with, and with some firmness & tightness
down there, now present again.
I’m seriously trying to get a grip on my
anxiety and will probably do some light stretches. For me personally I found
that sometimes getting into a routine all to fix HF would make things worse
since I was so fixated on it, so if anything I’m trying to find a balance
Keep in mind I never stuck to any routine and was
somewhat inconsistent, the change to Long-Flaccid happened so suddenly while I
was just trying to sleep, and in pain; and the improvements that followed
seemed to only come with time, working on anxiety and trying to live without
thinking about this condition.”
Gunz GotBunz added his encouragement;
“Your symptoms are my symptoms, and I found that
after being completely calm, and using the relaxation & mindfulness
techniques every day, it was so easy for my wife to stimulate me my penis was
so long and hard! I felt the glory of Rome that day!
But alas that was but once. Anxiety always takes a
toll on the body, and the more I achieve mindfulness the better and bigger my
Numb Penis: What’s Going on and How to Fix It!
You’re watching a hot sex scene, getting it on in your
backseat, or you’re taking a little “me time” with your
favorite website, and, well, you notice things aren’t happening down
there. What’s going on? It could be something called penis numbness.
There are quite a few reasons a man can be the bewildered owner of a numb
penis. Read on to learn how penis numbness reached you and then how to get him
penile traumas, penis injuries can cause penis numbness . A
penile injury damages the blood vessels, which are essential to a healthy penis
because they bring the blood that produces an erection. Lots of things can hurt
a penis, such as rough sex, too much masturbating, using a too-tight grip for
self-pleasure, sexual aids, and group sports.
Neuropathy is when a limb or appendage goes numb. This numb
penis is often the effect of an illness or condition but can also be the result
of the regular pinching of a nerve (say in the hip area). Neuropathy wears 2
masks. One time it feels like a cold numbness, and the next time it feels like
pins-and-needles or lightning shooting through the penis. Medical conditions
such as diabetes, obesity, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and some cancers can
Peyronie’s disease is a condition in which the penis
has a curve of more than 20 percent. In addition to being a painful disease,
Peyronie’s disease has been associated with loss of penile sensation in
some men. The scar tissue that causes Peyronie’s can be less sensitive
than regular tissue, resulting in loss of genital sensation.
Lifestyle is a big part of health, but it’s often the
thing people are most reticent to change. Diet and exercise are significant
factors that need to be addressed if there aren’t already healthy
behaviors in practice. Stress can also make the problem worse, so be sure to
incorporate stress-reduction techniques into each day. Changes in lifestyle
have been shown time and time again to yield big results.
Penis Power: How to Get It Back!
Want a more-sensitive penis? In most cases, a man can regain
sensitivity with a little dedication and a little help. Here are a few ways to
breathe life back into a man’s boner.
Address the root disease if it’s the cause. Work with
doctors and therapists to first treat the disease and then treat the symptom,
not vice versa. Whole-body health should always be the number one focus.
Wear looser pants and underwear to give the big guy some
space and not have to spend the day hugging fabric, which desensitizes it.
Spend some time each day letting it all hang out in a
personal space. A little air also prevents too much contact for the penis.
More movement; sitting all day can deaden the nerves in the
pelvic basin. Get up every hour or two to give them some freedom.
Don’t go too hard, or too often, when sexing it up.
For men who cycle, get a padded bicycle seat cover and
padded shorts to reduce the hard compression against the nerves for prolonged
Proper penis care can also preserve sensation and decrease
the chances of penis numbness. Lightly, but thoroughly, wash it with a gentle
cleanser and warm water, then rinse and air dry.
Use a reliable skin treatment oil, like Shea Butter, Almond
oil, or other safe moisturizer. Avoid lotions with harmful ingredients. All of
it gets absorbed into your organs, and can be toxic.
Sex lubricants that might be fine for a woman’s
internal organs, may be terrible for a man’s external organ. Water-based
lubes evaporate very quickly, especially with rapid stroking. If your lover is
stroking you hard, and the once-viscos lube, is now a tar-like glue, It can not
only tear your very thin cock skin, but it can also lead to bursting internal
cells inside your shaft or glans.
This post is part of the How To SexPodcast. Subscribe
