Intimate hygiene is extremely important for a man as it is tied to sex and romance. So, here is what every man needs to know about personal hygiene for a healthy penis.
1) Water consumption: Water is needed to flush out the toxins from the body. Drink sufficient water to maintain a good amount of blood and oxygen to the penis.
2) Reduce sweat: Excess sweat at the penis and scrotum develops into infection and odor. So, it is important to maintain dryness either by absorbing the moisture with a towel or by applying powder (not directly to genital) to the area.
3) Scrotum temperature: The ideal temperature for the scrotum is 37 degrees C. When the scrotum is at normal temperature it is elongated and smooth, it is relaxed. The scrotum contracts and get wrinkled when it is cold, sexually stimulated or when you exercise. Don’t wear tight underwear.
4) Shaving: It is also important to shave or trim in order to prevent irritation and infection. You should take a hot shower before you shave to make the hair shaft soft. Exfoliate the area to open the pores to help you get a clean shave and use a clean blade to shave off the hair.
5) Foreskin cleansing: Wash the penis daily with soap and water by retracting the foreskin, if you are an uncircumcised male. Failure to do so can lead to infections, inflammations, phimosis, bad odours and even tumours. It is important to remember to return the foreskin to its natural position after cleansing and drying.
6) Keeping the Genital Area Clean. Washing the penis, the scrotum which holds the testicles, the anus, and pubic hair (if puberty has been reached) with water and mild soap.
7) For cleanliness after urinating, the penis should be shaken gently until the few remaining drops of urine are expelled. It may be wiped as well. Following a bowel movement, the anus should be wiped. Covering public toilet seats with toilet paper is also recommended since bacteria grows easily on toilet seats. Washing hands after urinating is a must, otherwise, bacteria will be spread via the hands.
8)Underwear. Men should be concerned with the kind of underwear and pants they wear. Underwear or pants should not be too tight, and they should be well ventilated to help stem bacteria growth. Wearing cotton, brief boxer is best choice for penis health. If underwear gets wet or soiled, it should be changed. Also, towels should not be shared since they can pass bacteria.
9) Penis area should be cleaned after sex, even if wearing a condom, to prevent bacterial build-up and unpleasant smells arising. If either partner has a known infection, they should tell the other person so adequate provisions can be made such as the use of condoms. For men with more than one wife, or multiple sex partners, wash with warm water and mild soap after every sexual encounter. This is to avoid spread of other infections from one partner to the next.
10) Jock itch, or groin ringworm, is a fungal infection (caused by certain fungi and yeasts) that usually occurs in warm weather. It is caused by wearing tight clothes that are not well ventilated. The symptoms include redness, blisters, itchiness, and pain of the groin and upper, inner thigh area. This type of infection can easily recur if not taken care of properly. To avoid jock itch, men should take care to dry off well after swimming, bathing, and sweating. It’s also a good idea to wash up before any intercourse where the penile penetration is involved. Again, wearing a brief cotton underwear is a good prevention of all.