Sex Questions: His Body
Photo by:Rebecca Greenfield
Do guys with big feet really have big penises?
--Shelbie, 14, West Chester, OHThat's one of the oldest myths out there! The average penis is around 6 inches long when erect. Some are bigger, some are smaller — and shoe size has nothing to do with it. In fact, vaginas range in size more than penises. The truth is, you can't tell by looking at a guy how big his penis is, just as you can't tell by looking at a girl how big her vagina is!
What are "blue balls?"
--Sarah, 16, Delhi, ONWhen guys get sexually excited — like from kissing or making out — and they don't ejaculate, blood builds up in their testicles (a.k.a. “balls”), and they may ache and appear slightly blue because of the blood. But never let a guy convince you that if you don't do something sexual with him, you'll leave him in major pain. The pain is minor, and he can always masturbate to relieve himself later.
Why do guys get boners in the morning?
--Esperanza, 15, Riverside, CAWhen guys hold their urine in for a long time — like when they're sleeping — it can cause an erection. That's why morning erections are so common; it doesn't necessarily mean a guy is turned on! But guys also have a higher testosterone level in the morning, which can make him get an erection while he's sleeping.
Sex Questions: His Body
One of my testicles is bigger than the other. Is that normal?
--Josh, 17, Virginia Beach, VANo one's body is completely symmetrical, and that goes for parts of the body that come in pairs, like testicles and girls' breasts (even your eyes aren't exactly the same if you look closely!). It's normal for one testicle to be a bit bigger or to hang slightly lower than the other. The only cause for concern is if you notice one suddenly growing faster or starting to feel firmer than the other. If that's the case, get it checked out by your doctor.
I've had a lot of wet dreams lately. Why is that?
--Thaddeus, 20, Hannibal, MOYou must be pretty into someone right now! Unlike nighttime erections, wet dreams (or nocturnal emissions) happen when you're having sexual dreams. And they can happen more often when sexual thoughts are front and center in your mind. Wet dreams are more common around your teens and early 20s because that's when your hormones are working overtime.
Are you more likely to get an STD if you're not circumcised?
--Kejal, 22, Nutley, NJThis is a controversial subject, but most doctors say guys who are not circumcised (meaning the foreskin that covers the head of the penis has not been surgically removed) are no more likely to get STDs than those who are circumcised. Either way, every guy needs to wear a condom to protect himself. P.S. Are you really from Nutley?!
--Josh, 17, Virginia Beach, VANo one's body is completely symmetrical, and that goes for parts of the body that come in pairs, like testicles and girls' breasts (even your eyes aren't exactly the same if you look closely!). It's normal for one testicle to be a bit bigger or to hang slightly lower than the other. The only cause for concern is if you notice one suddenly growing faster or starting to feel firmer than the other. If that's the case, get it checked out by your doctor.
I've had a lot of wet dreams lately. Why is that?
--Thaddeus, 20, Hannibal, MOYou must be pretty into someone right now! Unlike nighttime erections, wet dreams (or nocturnal emissions) happen when you're having sexual dreams. And they can happen more often when sexual thoughts are front and center in your mind. Wet dreams are more common around your teens and early 20s because that's when your hormones are working overtime.
Are you more likely to get an STD if you're not circumcised?
--Kejal, 22, Nutley, NJThis is a controversial subject, but most doctors say guys who are not circumcised (meaning the foreskin that covers the head of the penis has not been surgically removed) are no more likely to get STDs than those who are circumcised. Either way, every guy needs to wear a condom to protect himself. P.S. Are you really from Nutley?!
