Men are taught from a young age not to play, touch, or look at their penis. For today forward, that line of thinking is out the window. It is important to look and touch your penis and scrotum to make sure it is staying clean and healthy. You won’t be able to notice abnormal smells or discharge if you have no idea what normal smells and discharge are like.

Genitals are the sex organs on the outside of the body. For men that means penis, scrotum, and perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus).  Daily washing of these areas are important. You can use a mild soap and water, easy to do while in the shower. Make sure you also wash the area around the anus since you don’t want to get that bacterium up near your penis or scrotum. Practice good hygiene as well, by washing your hands each time you go to the bathroom. Even if you urinate and feel you don’t need to wash because you didn’t touch the urine, you did touch the door, the stall, the urinal, and the toilet flusher all of which carry bacteria.

There are slight differences in cleaning the penis if you are uncircumcised.  An uncircumcised penis is one that still has the foreskin covering the penile head. The foreskin needs to be pulled down until the head of the penis is exposed and then the area around washed. Do not force the foreskin down, as you may damage it. It is important to pull the foreskin down and wash under and around it; this area is not ventilated and a substance called smegma can build up under the foreskin. Smegma keeps the foreskin lubricated and can assist during intercourse. However, too much smegma, built up over time, can harden and cause infection.

It is important for men to wear loose fitting clothing, especially pants and underwear. Anything too tight will lock in moisture and heat, which is the breeding ground for bacteria. Also, be weary of sharing towels in the locker room as bacteria can be spread easily that way.

Penile discharge is not very common; in fact, if it isn’t semen or urine leaking out of the tip you should see a doctor. Abnormal discharge from the penis is normally the first sign of a sexually transmitted disease. If the discharge is yellow or green and accompanied by pain, rash, itching, or problems urinating, get to a doctor ASAP.

Men should also learn how to perform self-examinations, feeling for lumps or bumps on the testicles and looking out for abnormalities early on. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of getting a physical every few years. Unlike women, it isn’t necessary to get a physical every year until you are 50 or older. It is a good idea to go every other year or at least every 3 years. The doctor will show you how to do a self-exam and they can answer any questions you may have about abnormalities or genital health in general.