Information » Health » Sexual Health » Penis
- The male penis has two main parts – the head and the shaft
- The foreskin is the sleeve of skin that surrounds the head of the penis
- The average adult penis is usually two to four inches (6-10cm) long when soft and four to seven inches (12-19cm) long when erect
- The thickness of a man’s erect penis is usually about one and half inches (3-4cm) across
- There is no ‘right’ size for a penis – everyone is different so don’t compare yourself to your friends
Erections and ejaculation
- When a man gets sexually excited, blood rushes to the penis making it hard and giving him an erection. This is when the penis goes stiff, grows longer and wider and sticks outwards from the body
- Ejaculation is when a small amount of semen is squirted out of an erect penis and can occur during sex, masturbation or even in your sleep. See Pregnancy section
- Condoms should always be worn over the penis during sex to protect against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. See Contraception section
Circumcision
- Circumcision is when the foreskin is completely removed, usually for religious or medical reasons
- It makes no difference to a man’s ability to give or receive sexual pleasure
Sexual health
- If you experience any changes to your penis, such as spots, red patches or an unusual discharge, please visit your GP or local clinic immediately. Don’t be embarrassed – they have seen everything before and will be happy to help you
