Mums of little boys: Here are 7 fun facts about the penis and testicles

Posted in Baby Health.
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If you’ve been blessed with a little prince, but are completely clueless when it comes to the ins and outs of male genitalia, then you might want to take note of these little-known quirky facts.

7 facts about the penis and testicles

  1. Super-sized scrotum
  2. Early erections
  3. Diphallus
  4. Micropenis
  5. Foreskin care
  6. Empty scrotum
  7. Penile fracture

1. Super-sized scrotum

Tell your hubby to settle down because it’s very common for male newborns to have extra large balls compared to the size of their penis or the rest of the body. It’s actually swelling caused by the extra fluid which occurs when the testicles descend from the abdomen and into the scrotum (around the time of birth). After a few months, the swelling goes down and their ‘package’ looks more in proportion.

2. Early risers

Baby boys can begin having erections as early as in the womb! So don’t be shocked if you see the little chap standing to attention at any point when you’re giving your bub a bath or changing his nappy. It’s completely normal, not at all sexual and often caused by things such as their bladder being full or air touching their privates. It’s actually a really good sign that everything down there is working the way it should.

3. Seeing double

Boys can be born with not one, but two penises. Called ‘diphallus’, it’s a pretty rare condition affecting only one in every five to six million males, and is often accompanied by other genital abnormalities. It’s also unlikely that both penises would be functional and surgery is generally required.

4. Micropenis

If your newborn’s penis is less than 1.9cm when stretched then it’s considered abnormal and is most likely a micropenis (caused by a hormonal issue). Other causes of an ‘inconspicuous penis’ (yes that’s a real term) are a webbed, trapped or concealed penis – which can be a result of excess scrotum skin or the pubic fat pad burying or trapping the penis. All fixable with treatment or surgery. 

Baby having nappy change

5. I’m an individual!

Once the foreskin of the penis detaches from the glans in early childhood (or beyond) it is able to be retracted. Retracting the foreskin means to pull back the loose skin on an uncircumcised penis to expose the glans – or head – of the penis. Boys will learn to do this in their own time, according to their development and what’s going on with their penis. Parents should not retract the foreskin for their child. In fact, forcing or training the foreskin to retract could result in a painful injury.

Once retracted, the foreskin should always be left to cover and protect the glans. Boys’ foreskins are able to be fully retracted on a whole spectrum of ages.

The Royal Children’s Hospital says that full foreskin retraction is possible in:

  • 10 percent of boys at 1 years old
  • 50 percent of boys at 10 years old
  • 99 percent of boys at 17 years old

6. Empty sac

Boys don’t produce proper sperm cells until they reach puberty (at around the age of 11 or beyond). So even, if your little man is having frequent erections or even touching himself, this will not lead to ejaculation as there is no sperm inside the testicles yet. This is also why their scrotum isn’t generally as sensitive as an adult male’s (a hit to the genitals with a rogue tennis ball won’t necessarily take them down yet). However, care should still be taken in that area at all times.

7. It can break

Technically a penis break is called a penile fracture because there is no actual bone in the organ. And although you might think it’s only adults who can get them (from intercourse or falling out of bed with an erection), they can also occur in toddlers. According to a UK study, the most common reason for penile fractures in boys aged two to four was recently toilet-trained little fellas crushing their penises with heavy toilet seats and lids. Ouch!

If you are at all concerned about your son’s genitalia, please speak with a doctor.


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