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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."
Winter is well and truly underway, and it turns out - for the men among us at least - there is more to worry about than just the heating bills going up.
As the temperature grows ever colder and the nights draw in, many of us will begin to suffer from a spot of seasonal sadness, knowing that we have a long while to wait for summer to return.
And as well as trying to fend off the common cold, some men could also be struck down by another ailment - a winter penis.
Fresh off the back of a summer penis - the sensation when a person's manhood temporarily appears larger in the warm weather - comes the winter penis, which is - unfortunately - the opposite.
In the winter, men are more prone to experience some shrinkage due to the blood vessels in the extremities contracting in the cold, in order for the body to direct heat to more vital organs such as the heart and lungs.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, who is a general practitioner and clinical director of Patient.info, told The Sun: "Technically winter penis is a thing.
"Basically, in winter your body retains heat by shutting down blood vessels on the surface.
"We know that one of the most obvious places, because it has a very large surface area, is the penis."
She revealed that the testicles tend to get smaller when the weather is cold, and could be "drawn higher up into the scrotum".
Now, the thought of your manhood being deprived of blood may sound a bit scary, but it's actually a totally normal thing to happen - and fear not, it's not permanent, either.
She explained: "It is not a physical permanent change, if you warm up then it will go back to normal.
"Do not panic, it may well look smaller, just go into a warm room or have a nice warm bath and you will be fine."
And for those wondering if it will affect your performance between the sheets, the winter penis won't cause any direct issues that weren't there before, such as erectile dysfunction.
One thing that may affect your sex drive in the winter is seasonal affective disorder (commonly known as SAD), which affects many people when it gets colder and darker for extended periods of time.
And, of course, when we eventually broach the winter, it will soon be time to look forward to the opposite phenomenon - the summer penis.
Dr. Chun Tang, a General Practitioner at Pall Mall Medical, previously explained: "So, ‘summer penis’ is a term people use to describe when a male's penis seems a bit bigger or fuller during hot weather."
He 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, as with all good things, that effect will also come to an end when the weather cools down again.
You win some, you lose some.
As winter approaches, the chilly air brings more than just the need to layer up. It may also impact intimate health, giving rise to conditions humorously yet concerningly referred to as "winter vagina" and "winter penis."
These colloquial terms are catching the attention of health experts and the public alike, as they underscore the physiological responses of our bodies to the cold.
"Winter vagina," a term that's gained traction though not medically recognized, relates to the increased dryness that some women may experience during the colder months.
Mary Burke, a former NHS midwife and now a senior clinical nurse at London Bridge Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Clinic, shed light on this phenomenon in an interview with Sun Health.
Burke explains that just as dry winter air can dehydrate our skin and sinuses, it can also lead to dryness in intimate areas. "When we spend time in heated or air-conditioned rooms, the low-moisture air can exacerbate this dryness, affecting even our most private regions," she notes.
For men, the cold can also have a noticeable effect, often humorously dubbed "winter penis."
Dr. Donald Grant, a GP and senior clinical advisor, discussed with Mail Online how lower temperatures cause the penis and testicles to shrink in size as a temporary bodily response to stay warm.
"The testicles shrink to stay as close to the body as possible to maintain warmth," Grant explains, noting that for some men, the size reduction can be quite significant, occasionally up to 50 percent. This could further complicate issues for those already dealing with erectile dysfunction, making cold seasons particularly challenging.
To combat these winter woes, staying hydrated is crucial. The Cleveland Clinic advises drinking plenty of water to maintain hydration, which is essential for keeping vaginal tissues healthy.
Engaging in regular sexual stimulation is also recommended to promote natural lubrication.
"Regular sexual stimulation can help encourage vaginal tissues to remain moist," experts suggest, highlighting the importance of a longer foreplay period to enhance arousal and natural moisture.
Using natural oils can be beneficial, but caution is advised to ensure they are compatible with condoms and do not cause irritation. For those experiencing significant dryness, consulting a healthcare professional for possible prescription creams or tablets may be necessary.
For men, the simplest remedy against the effects of "winter penis" is warmth. Seeking warmer environments can help mitigate the temporary shrinkage caused by the cold. However, if there are notable or unusual changes in size or function, it's prudent to consult a healthcare professional to rule out other potential issues.
This winter, while the focus might often be on keeping warm and managing common colds, paying attention to intimate health and understanding how the body reacts to the cold can ensure both comfort and well-being during the chilly season.
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.”