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Health3 min(s) read
While many will be familiar with the phrase “summer body”, fewer will be as well-acquainted with the phenomenon of the “summer penis”.
Attaining that perfect physique for the warmer months sees many forgo calorific indulgences in favor of protein-dense meals and intensive sessions at the gym, so it may come as a surprise that the summer penis isn’t acquired in quite the same manner.
“Summer penis” is a nickname given to a guy’s manhood when there is swelling in that sensitive region during high temperatures, and not a penis suddenly developing a six-pack.
According to experts, there is a biological explanation for this increase in size, with the blood vessels in the penis dilating to help the body cool.
As a result, men are reportedly enjoying possessing larger members.
“So ‘summer penis’ is a term people use to describe when a male’s penis seems a bit bigger or fuller during hot weather,” Dr Chun Tang, a private healthcare GP has revealed.
“It’s not an official medical thing, just something people have noticed and talked about.
“The idea is that in warmer months, especially when it’s hot and humid, the heat causes your blood vessels to expand a bit, which can make things down there look a bit different.
“Some men notice that their penis looks a little larger, especially when it’s flaccid.
“Because of the increased blood flow, it might feel a bit softer or more relaxed than usual.”
Dr Tang added that men whose bodies are more susceptible to changes in the weather are more likely to experience the effects, despite there being no exact temperature at which ‘summer penis’ would typically occur.
According to other healthcare professionals, both men and their sexual partners may get an additional boost from summer heatwaves, with the ‘summer penis’ impacting sex.
Dr Sarah Jarvis told The Sun: “Technically when you’re hot, as well as when you are excited, then your blood vessels may expand.
“When blood vessels on the surface are a bit bigger, then things are going to look a bit bigger.
“But your penis is not growing, it’s just your blood vessels growing slightly larger as a way to reduce heat.
“It’s not going to make you perform better either – when you are erect your penis is swollen to the max anyway.”
Unfortunately for some, this isn’t a permanent state of affairs, with penises expected to go back to normal size once the weather becomes cooler. Sorry, gents.
For those who don’t require that extra girth, Dr Tang advises keeping cool, particularly if the ‘summer penis’ makes you feel uncomfortable.
“Avoid too much heat, wear loose clothes, and stay well-hydrated. This can help minimise the effect,” he adds.
“On its own, ‘summer penis’ isn’t a sign of anything serious.
“But, if you notice any sudden or unusual changes in your penis – like significant swelling, pain, or discomfort – then it’s definitely a good idea to get it checked out by a doctor.
“Those could be signs of something that does need attention, like an infection or an injury.”
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It turns out that men can get something called a "summer penis".
It should go without saying that different temperatures impact people in certain ways.
For me, I can't stand hot temperatures so when summer rolls around I spend every day waiting for the temperatures to drop.
High temperatures can impact a person physically, such as headaches, dehydration, or perhaps even some nausea.
But it turns out that for men, it can also impact their private parts, which has been dubbed a "summer penis."
Dr. Chun Tang, a General Practitioner at Pall Mall Medical, explains the science behind it.
“So, ‘summer penis’ is a term people use to describe when a male's penis seems a bit bigger or fuller during hot weather," Dr. Tang told The Sun.
"It’s not an official medical thing, just something people have noticed and talked about."
The effect is tied to the way warm weather impacts the body, particularly the blood vessels. “The idea is that in warmer months, especially when it’s hot and humid, the heat causes your blood vessels to expand a bit, which can make things down there look a bit different,” he said.
“Some men notice that their penis looks a little larger, especially when it’s flaccid," he added. "Because of the increased blood flow, it might feel a bit softer or more relaxed than usual.”
However, any noticeable changes should revert back to normal once the weather cools down, so there's no need for concern.
Or cause for celebration...
Dr. Tang emphasized that "summer penis" is not an indication of any serious health issue.
“On its own, 'summer penis' isn’t a sign of anything serious," he said.
"But, if you notice any sudden or unusual changes in your penis - like significant swelling, pain, or discomfort - then it’s definitely a good idea to get it checked out by a doctor. Those could be signs of something that does need attention, like an infection or an injury.”
Speaking of larger penises, which is something I'd never thought I'd write in a day job, the man with the "UK's largest penis" has explained why it isn't all that great.
Matt Barr, 40, appeared on an episode of This Morning in the UK, to discuss day-to-day living with what he claims to be the largest penis in Britain, measuring a staggering 12 inches.
"It's difficult, because it's not something you really spring on people as a surprise, because it just does scare people away generally," Matt shared. "But obviously [you don't want to be] creepy and bring it up too early. [So] how do you start that conversation?"
Beyond social interactions, Matt revealed the unexpected hurdles he faces even in everyday activities like exercise.
He recalled a time when he was asked to leave a yoga class due to misconceptions about his intentions.
"I was wearing a very baggy shirt and shorts [but because of the] yoga positions, people just got the wrong idea," he explained.
Despite misconceptions about his situation being a 'gift,' Matt is seeking to dispel this common belief.
"It's fascinating, because you can imagine that the majority of people watching will be going 'what an absolute gift to be able to stand there and have more than enough'," he remarked.
"I'm trying to dispel some of the stigmas. I don't see why there's any difference talking about this and talking about your breasts or any other bodily part...it's not sexualized. It's just a fact of life."
As a May heatwave grips Europe, many are experiencing unprecedented temperatures at this time of year, but this swelter is still no deterrent for horny couples, with the sun’s vitamin D-emitting rays famously increasing sex drive.
With the heat elevating estrogen and testosterone levels, resulting in a coital spike, there is one position experts warn to ditch in this warmth.
Esteemed sex therapist and author, Marisa Peer, has given her tips on how to stay cool as things get steamy with your partner(s).
Speaking to The Mirror, Peer said: “Sex is meant to a be a hot and steamy affair, but us Brits aren’t used to dealing with a heatwave and tend to wilt when the temperature goes into overdrive.”
Marisa’s first suggestion was to keep the curtains and blinds closed during the day in order to prevent the room from overheating.
“Only open them when the sun is no longer shining directly through your windows,” she suggests.
“When it’s time to go to bed, you should find your bedroom is a cool and welcoming sanctuary.”
Another tactic Marisa has said could be advisable to keep lovemaking as cool as possible is dampening your sheets. “If the heat in your bedroom is unbearable, try dampening your top sheet with cold water.
“Not only will it give your love-making a thrill but it will bring down the temperature of the entire room,” she claimed.
Alternatively, Marisa promotes incorporating cold water and ice during foreplay and sex to add a chilled component to an otherwise raunchy affair, which, paradoxically, adds a layer of heat.
“Using ice as part of foreplay can be erotic in its own right, but during the hot weather, having a bucket of ice to hand, especially if it has a bottle of bubbly chilling in it, can be a godsend,” she added.
“Another option is to fill a spray bottle with iced water, which can be very sexy when you spray it on each other during your hottest moments.”
Shower sex is already a popular choice amongst couples, and Marisa encourages partners to indulge in this even more during the summer heat.
“Having sex in a cool shower is a great way to avoid the heat and also the perfect way to recover from the blistering temperatures outside.”
However, it is not just what can be added during sex that can help with the temperatures, according to Peer.
She also advises that certain positions can be avoided, due to them exacerbating heat, with missionary identified as one to abstain from.
“It’s not best for keeping you cool because being so close together builds up greater heat and sweaty bodies sticking together,” Marisa added.
“With this in mind, positions which do not require such close proximity to one another is advised.”
A bizarre trend promising a bigger penis is making waves online — but medical experts are warning it could lead to permanent damage.
The technique, known as "jelqing," has been spreading like wildfire on Reddit, with users claiming it can actually increase the size of your member.
However, a self-proclaimed “real US medical doctor” on YouTube is sounding the alarm, urging men to think twice before trying it out.
The trend has been amplified by a YouTuber who goes by the name “Hink,” known in niche online circles as a kind of ‘penis influencer’ for his content on growing your manhood.
In one of his recent videos — filmed while wearing a Rey Mysterio wrestling mask — Hink breaks down what jelqing is, and more importantly, why it could go horribly wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Jelqing could apparently enhance penis size. Credit: RapidEye/Getty
Jelqing is a manual stretching method that supposedly enlarges the penis by increasing internal pressure through a repetitive motion.
Hink, while clarifying that he does not provide official medical advice and urges people to consult a licensed doctor, describes the process in detail.
“Jelqing is basically a principle where you get your D in a semi-erect state, make an ‘okay’ grip at the bottom, and gradually move it towards the top, exposing it to different higher levels of pressure,” he said.
“Supposedly, this creates micro tears in the tissue. Your body heals them bigger, like muscle building. Yeah, but the penis is not a muscle. It’s an organ.”
The logic behind the method is that by increasing blood pressure through this motion, the penis might slowly stretch and grow over time.
Despite the buzz around jelqing, Hink is adamant that there’s no real science to back it up.
“This jelqing has zero scientific evidence. Not a little evidence - zero,” he noted.
“The Sexual Medicine Society of North America looked at this. Major urological associations looked at this. Nothing. No peer-reviewed studies. No mechanism that actually works.”
In other words, while some anecdotal success stories may exist, the medical community has not endorsed the practice — and for good reason.
Jelqing isn't backed by science. Credit: wakila/Getty Images
It’s not just a matter of jelqing being ineffective. Hink warns that it could actually lead to serious, irreversible damage, especially when performed incorrectly.
“Jelqing is done in the half-erect state. Guys, you’re just one step away from disaster,” the YouTuber says.
“They jel and poof - complete shutdown of the penis. Erections gone for good.”
According to Hink, rather than promoting growth, the method may cause internal damage that leads to scarring and long-term issues.
“Case reports from major urology centers document men developing erectile dysfunction from jelqing,” Hink adds.
“We’ve documented Peyronie’s disease linked to jelqing. That’s penile curvature and fibrosis.
“These aren’t theoretical risks. These are real complications in real patients.”