The penis is part of the reproductive and urinary systems. It’s made of fleshy tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. The urethra runs through the middle of the penis to the opening at the head of the penis (glans) and carries urine (pee) during urination or semen (cum) during ejaculation. If the penis isn’t circumcised, the head of the penis is covered by a fold of skin called the foreskin.

While not technically part of the penis, testicles (balls) sit in the same area produce sperm and testosterone. They are held in a sac of skin called the scrotum and vary in shape, size and colour.

Image credit: Healthdirect

What is a foreskin?

The penis is part of the reproductive and urinary systems. It’s made of fleshy tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. The urethra runs throug

h the middle of the penis to the opening at the head of the penis (glans) and carries urine (pee) during urination or semen (cum) during ejaculation. If the penis isn’t circumcised, the head of the penis is covered by a fold of skin called the foreskin.

While not technically part of the penis, testicles (balls) sit in the same area produce sperm and testosterone. They are held in a sac of skin called the scrotum and vary in shape, size and colour.

Penises come in all shapes, sizes, and colours – and all of them are normal.

A penis can be curved or straight, light or dark, smooth or veiny. It’s normal to have visible veins, wrinkles, or small bumps (such as white dome-shaped spots around the head of the penis), all of which are harmless. It’s also normal to see moles, freckles, or hair around the base of the penis or on the scrotum.

However, if you notice something new – like sores, lumps, warts, or major changes in colour or shape – it’s best to check in with a doctor or nurse.

Does penis size matter?

No, penis size doesn’t matter as much as people think. In fact, most erect penises are within a few centimetres of each other in size. It’s only when the penis is soft that there’s a lot more variation in size.

Despite what movies, TV and porn may make you think, most people care way less about penis size than you think. Penis size also doesn’t determine your sexual ability or how satisfying sex will be for you or your partner. What’s more important is communication, connection, and comfort with your sexual partner.

A healthy penis usually has a mild, musky smell, especially after sweating or a long day. If you have a foreskin, smegma (a white-ish substance that keeps the skin soft) can build up and create a strong odour if not washed away regularly.

To keep things fresh:

• Wash daily with warm water and mild soap
• Gently pull back the foreskin if you have one and dry underneath
• Avoid letting moisture stay trapped (especially after showers or workouts)

If you notice a strong, fishy, sour, or foul smell (especially with redness, discharge, or pain) there could be an issue, so it’s a good idea to get it checked by a doctor or nurse.

How do I clean my penis?

To keep your penis clean, simply wash it daily with warm water and soap, preferably in the shower. If you have a foreskin, be sure to pull it back and clean underneath. Don’t forget to also wash your scrotum and anus (bum) too.

Penile discharge is not urine, but a watery or thickened fluid that sometimes comes out of the penis. Everyone with a penis will experience penile discharge. Most of the time this is totally normal, but if something doesn’t seem quite right, it could indicate that something else is going on.

Normal types of penile discharge:

• Pre-cum: A clear, slippery fluid that comes out when you’re aroused.
• Ejaculate (cum): Semen and sperm released during orgasm.
• Smegma: White(ish), thick discharge under the foreskin.

Other types of penile discharge:
Any other discharge – especially if it’s yellow, cloudy, causes pain or discomfort or smells it could be a sign of an infection or issue and it’s worth visiting a doctor or nurse to get it checked.

An erection is when blood fills the penis, making it firm (or hard). It can happen when you’re aroused, or for no reason at all (especially during puberty).

Erections can happen:

• In response to touch or sexual thoughts
• When you’re nervous or excited
• While you’re asleep or just after waking up (morning wood)

While erections can sometimes lead to ejaculation, but they don’t always.

Erectile Disfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when your penis usually or always won’t get fully erect (hard) or won’t stay erect when you want it to. ED is common and for young people, it’s most likely related to:

• Anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions
• Relationship problems and/or trauma
• Certain prescription medications
• Alcohol or drug use
• Smoking
• Hormonal conditions

If you’re worried about erectile dysfunction, speak with a doctor or nurse.

Ejaculation is when semen comes out of the penis, usually during orgasm. This can happen during sex, masturbation, or even while you’re asleep (wet dreams).

Ejaculation can happen quickly (called pre-mature ejaculation or take longer (called delayed ejaculation). Both are common and vary from person to person.

Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) means ejaculating sooner than you’d like, but there’s no rule on what ‘too soon’ is. It’s only a problem if it’s a problem for you. If both you and your partner are happy, you’re all good.

Movies and TV shows can make premature ejaculation seem like a huge issue but it is common. The average time it takes to ejaculate during intercourse is about five minutes during penetrative sex. If you’re worried about premature ejaculation, talk to a doctor or nurse.

Whether you’re having penetrative sex, oral sex, using hands, or sex toys, it’s important to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs can affect anyone, and most STIs don’t have any symptoms, so you might not know you have one. That’s why it’s important to use condoms and get regular STI tests if you’re sexually active, even if you feel fine. Testing is quick, easy, and confidential, and it helps keep you and your partners safe.

If you’re having sex that can result in pregnancy (penis-in-vagina sex) you’ll also need to talk to your partner about contraception to avoid unplanned pregnancy. There are so many options when it comes to contraception (IUDs, pills, implants etc.), but condoms are the only type of contraception to protect against both pregnancy and STIs.

If you’re having unprotected anal sex you might be at higher risk for HIV. Here are a couple of ways to stay safe (besides using condoms).

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily pill for people who are HIV negative and want to protect themselves from getting HIV. When taken as prescribed, it’s works well to prevent HIV – but it doesn’t protect you from other STIs, so using condoms is still a must. Find out more about PrEP.

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a 4-week course of anti-HIV meds you can take after a possible exposure to HIV. But timing is everything – it needs to be started within 72 hours, and the sooner the better. Find out more about PEP.

Sex will feel different for everyone, and it really depends on your body, your mood, your partner and the kind of sex you’re having. But generally, sex should feel good, safe, and enjoyable.

Remember, all sex must be consensual, every time!

Sex should never be painful, scary, or leave you feeling pressured. If something feels uncomfortable or doesn’t feel right, stop.

What about orgasms?

For someone with a penis, an orgasm often involves a warm rush of pleasure, and sometimes full-body sensations. But the most important thing to remember is that not everyone orgasms during sex, and that is completely okay and normal.

There’s a lot of pressure in movies, porn, and even everyday conversation to make orgasms seem like the goal of sex. But sex isn’t a performance or a checklist.

You might:

• Orgasm quickly
• Take time to get there
• Not orgasm at all
• Enjoy sex without ever having an orgasm

All of these are completely valid. If you’re not orgasming or ejaculating (cumming), it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you or your partner. It might just take time, communication, or experimenting with different types of touch or positions.

Most penis issues are easy to treat. But if you notice any of the below symptoms, it’s a good idea to get it checked out:

• Pain when peeing
• Burning, itching, or strange-smelling discharge from the penis
• Lumps, sores, or blisters
• Swelling, redness, or persistent irritation
• Pain during or after sex
• Bleeding that’s not from injury
• Trouble getting or keeping an erection (consistently)

These symptoms don’t always mean something’s wrong, but it’s always better to get it checked to be sure.