8 Weird Things About Having A Penis
Having a penis comes with its fair share of peculiarities that can leave people scratching their heads or bursting into laughter. Some of these things are biological quirks, while others are simply oddities that arise from human anatomy. Whatever the case, there’s no denying that the penis can be a source of fascination, confusion, and intrigue.
Let’s delve into 8 weird things about having a penis that you might not know but will definitely find interesting. Each fact sheds light on the mysteries of the male anatomy and highlights how truly unique the human body is.
Morning Erections Are Unavoidable (And Totally Normal)
One of the weirdest things about having a penis is waking up with an erection, commonly known as morning wood. Scientifically called nocturnal penile tumescence, it’s not just a quirk of the male body; it’s a natural and healthy function. Interestingly, it’s not always tied to sexual arousal. Instead, it’s linked to the REM (rapid eye movement) phase of sleep when your brain is most active.
During REM sleep, your body relaxes while your brain sends signals that can cause increased blood flow to the penis. This process helps maintain tissue health by delivering oxygen-rich blood. On average, men experience three to five erections per night, and the final one often lingers into waking hours. It’s like a little biological check-up happening while you dream!
For some, it may feel awkward or inconvenient, especially if you’re sharing a bed or rushing to start your day. But if you experience morning erections regularly, it’s actually a sign of good vascular and hormonal health. If they stop altogether, it might be worth discussing with a doctor, as it could indicate underlying health concerns.
Shrinkage Happens More Than You Think
Penile shrinkage, also known as retraction, can happen more often than most people realize, and it’s entirely normal. The penis can temporarily shrink due to a variety of factors, including cold temperatures, stress, or even physical exertion. This reaction occurs because the body prioritizes protecting vital organs in certain situations, causing blood vessels in the extremities to contract.
For example, in cold weather, the body works to conserve heat by redirecting blood flow away from the penis. Similarly, during high-stress moments or intense physical activity, blood is channeled toward muscles and essential organs, causing the penis to retract. Interestingly, this phenomenon isn’t permanent and resolves when the body returns to its normal state.
Another surprising cause of shrinkage? Dehydration. Without adequate hydration, blood flow decreases, affecting how the penis looks and feels. The good news is that hydration and relaxation can easily reverse these temporary changes.
Penile shrinkage may feel unsettling at first, but understanding its causes can help normalize the experience. Think of it as the body’s way of adapting to immediate needs—like a survival mechanism.
The Penis Has a Mind of Its Own
One of the strangest things about having a penis is how it seems to have a mind of its own. Erections can happen spontaneously, without any conscious control or sexual stimulation. This is because the penis responds to both physical and psychological triggers—and sometimes, neither is necessary.
Erections are controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system, which operates outside your conscious control. For instance, even something as random as the pressure from tight clothing, vibrations from a vehicle, or an unrelated thought can trigger an erection. This unpredictability can feel embarrassing, especially in public settings, but it’s completely normal.
Interestingly, these random erections can start as early as infancy. Studies suggest that erections in newborns and young boys are the body’s way of keeping the penile tissue healthy and functional. Adults, too, may experience these unprovoked erections as a part of their body’s maintenance routine.
The key takeaway? While it might seem odd or inconvenient, this phenomenon reflects a healthy vascular and nervous system.
It Can Break (Even Without a Bone)
Although the penis doesn’t contain a bone, it is still possible to “break” it—an injury known as a penile fracture. This bizarre and painful phenomenon happens when the fibrous tissue in the shaft, called the tunica albuginea, tears due to forceful bending or trauma. It’s often accompanied by a distinctive popping sound, immediate swelling, and intense pain.
The most common cause of penile fractures? Vigorous sex. Positions that involve a lot of pressure or awkward angles, such as “woman on top,” are often linked to this injury. However, fractures can also happen during activities like rolling over in bed or a sudden mishap during masturbation. While rare, the condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent long-term complications, such as erectile dysfunction or permanent curvature.
Treatment typically involves surgery to repair the damaged tissue. Fortunately, with prompt medical care, most men recover fully and regain normal function. However, the experience can be alarming and, understandably, quite embarrassing. Learning about safer sexual practices and paying attention to your body can help you avoid this freak accident.
The Penis Can Get Goosebumps
Yes, you read that right—your penis can get goosebumps! This odd phenomenon occurs because the skin on the penis, like the rest of the body, contains tiny muscles called arrector pili muscles. These muscles contract when exposed to cold, emotional excitement, or stimulation, creating the characteristic bumpy texture on the skin.
These goosebumps are part of the body’s natural response to maintain temperature. When the penis is exposed to cold conditions, the muscles contract to preserve heat and protect sensitive tissue. Similarly, during moments of heightened emotion or arousal, adrenaline release can cause the same reaction, adding to the list of the penis’s weird quirks.
Interestingly, goosebumps on the penis can be more noticeable than elsewhere on the body due to its thinner skin and the higher concentration of nerve endings. While this might seem unusual, it’s simply another example of how responsive and adaptive the penis is to its environment.
It Can Appear Larger or Smaller Depending on Your Perspective
The way you perceive your penis’s size can be influenced by factors as simple as the angle at which you view it. When looking down at your own penis, the perspective makes it seem shorter than it actually is. On the other hand, seeing it in a mirror or from a different angle often gives a more accurate sense of its true size.
This phenomenon is entirely psychological and has nothing to do with any physical change. However, the brain’s perception can play tricks on self-confidence, leading some men to feel insecure. Interestingly, research suggests that most men who worry about their penis size are, in fact, within the average range. According to studies, the average erect penis length is around 5.1 inches (13 cm).
Another factor that can influence size perception is body composition. For example, excess fat around the pubic area can make the penis appear smaller. Losing weight can help restore perspective, as it removes the padding that obscures part of the shaft.
It Can Change Color Temporarily
One of the strangest and most fascinating things about having a penis is its ability to change color under certain circumstances. This color change is typically due to increased blood flow, which can occur during sexual arousal, exercise, or even temperature changes. When aroused, the penis may appear darker or reddish because of the engorgement of blood vessels in the area.
Another instance of temporary color change happens during cold exposure. In response to cold temperatures, blood flow is reduced, and the penis may appear pale or even bluish as the body conserves heat for essential organs. These changes are completely normal and typically resolve as soon as the underlying cause (arousal or cold) passes.
Bruising or darker discoloration may occasionally occur after intense activity or injury, but this is less common and should be monitored for any persistent signs. In most cases, though, the shifting hues of the penis are simply a part of its unique physiology.
It Can “Turtle” (Retract) When You’re Cold or Nervous
One of the strangest quirks of the penis is its ability to shrink significantly in cold temperatures or stressful situations—a phenomenon often humorously referred to as “turtling.” This retraction isn’t a sign of a problem; it’s a natural reflex that helps protect the body.
When exposed to cold, the body redirects blood flow from extremities (like the penis) to vital organs to conserve heat. This leads to a temporary reduction in penis size and sometimes a tightening of the scrotum. Similarly, stress can activate the body’s “fight or flight” response, releasing adrenaline, which causes blood vessels to constrict and leads to the same effect.
While it might feel uncomfortable or embarrassing, it’s important to remember that this is a normal physiological response. The penis and scrotum are highly adaptive, and once the temperature normalizes or stress levels decrease, everything will return to its usual size and position.
Interestingly, this response can be likened to other survival mechanisms in the body, such as goosebumps or shivering. It’s simply your body doing what it was designed to do.
8 Things Other Users Found Out About Their Penis!
1. TikTok69
“My first sex with my first girlfriend was scary and funny for me at the same time. It was scary because my penis was not that huge. So on the way to her house, I was thinking of confessing that I may not satisfy her. Funnily enough, once she started to show me her “things” and I become aroused then my penis size increased dramatically. It was when I realized that our penis might adjust to our needs at some point in our lives.”
2. DryerMason21
“I watched bohemian rhapsody recently and I was really inspired by it. I was really amazed at how Freddie Mercury explored different ways to make music. Wanting to follow his steps, I went to my room, aroused myself a bit, then went to our basement where my drums are located. I was really surprised that the hardness of my dick can make solid sounds the same as drum sticks. Too bad, I cannot control the rhythm tho!”
3. JuanMadlos
“In the Philippines, teenage boys had to get circumcised. So it was way back when I was 10 years old that I got my foreskin removed and experienced dreadful pain. You may think that the worst is over after the surgery. However you are all wrong, after circumcision, the penis becomes infected and swells to the point that it looks like a tomato. People call this Kamatis and are not really life-threatening. But oh boy, imagine walking around your house without any pants on with a swelling penis dangling right under you. It is enough to make a dog bark out of laughter.”
4. Dreadfulguy76
“People say that when your penis is hit you will experience a lot of excruciating pain. Well, guess what? this thing is never true for me and is troubling me up to this day. I was 15 when my classmate hit my crotch while we were playing football. Everyone was really surprised that I did not cry and hit the ground because of the pain. I simply told them that I felt nothing and was absolutely fine.”
5. Qing_Dom
“While talking to my Chinese grandfather, I almost laughed to death. It was because he gave me the most golden advice about love that I’ve ever heard. He said that males who are really in love are those who get aroused by a simple touch, gesture, or voice of their partners. Pondering about it, I guess what he said was true. My current girlfriend, who I am really attached to, makes my seeds perk without doing anything. Thanks for the advice gramps!”
6. Kenuji72
“I was on a vacation in Japan way back in 2015 and it gave me the most memorable realization that I’ve ever had in my life. I was with my Japanese friends attending the Kanamara Matsuri festival, in Kawasaki, Japan. Upon joining the festival, I realized that Japanese women from Kawasaki make perfect wives. Why? The reason is simple. Once a year , on the first day of April my penis will get treated as a venerated god! How cool is that?.
7. PromdiSeaman33
“In the Philippines working your way towards becoming a nautical or a marine engineer takes guts and courage. Before enrolling in seafaring programs. here in PH, schools will first have to inspect your balls and penis if they look good. Balls are weighed and the penis is measured. Chances are if your penis and balls don’t pass the test then you might as well kiss your dream to become a mariner goodbye.”
8. D’rick_rus
‘Want to know what’s the most uncomfortable feeling in your life? Masturbate then don’t wipe the juices that come out of your penis after climax. I tell you it feels really sticky and wet at the same time. What’s more? if you don’t take a bath immediately you will start to smell. This is the primary reason why I always make sure that I have tissues before masturbating.”
Personal Insight
From personal experience, having a penis comes with its own set of unique joys and challenges. There’s undeniable convenience in certain aspects, like the ease of peeing standing up and the quick gratification of self-pleasure. These small perks can sometimes feel like life’s little bonuses.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. The awkwardness of random erections, especially in the most inconvenient situations, can be downright embarrassing. Then there’s the vulnerability to injuries—something most men don’t think about until it happens. Add to that the pressure to perform, both in the bedroom and in societal expectations, and it becomes clear that having a penis is a mixed bag of experiences.
At the end of the day, understanding these quirks and accepting them as part of life is key. Embracing the oddities that come with male anatomy allows us to approach it with humor and perspective.
Why not read about the weirdest things men have put their penis in?