One of the best ways to promote male organ health (http://www.menshealthfirst.com) is for a man to know what he’s working with. There are several misconceptions that prevent men from properly caring for, using and feeling good about their equipment; this can have an impact on physical, intimate and emotional well-being. Everyone deserves to be informed about his or her body and all its glorious components, and myths about the body therefore deserve debunking. It’s time for the following male organ myths to be laid to rest.

Myth #1: The average hard male organ is 8 inches long.

Not even close. Research has established that the average hard male organ measures within the 5.5- to 6.3-inch range. If men are comparing their members to the fictitious 8-inch average, they probably think they’re packing insufficient heat when they’re most likely average. (And besides, even a below-average-length male organ can provide plenty of pleasure to a partner.)

Myth #2: A hard organ should be perfectly straight.

Not so. Curves are actually quite common – and usually harmless. In fact, they can even be beneficial to the sensual act; a curved member can stimulate spots in a partner’s female organ or backdoor region that a straight male organ has a harder time hitting. Curvature is only considered a problem if it interferes with sensual activity or causes pain for the man.

Myth #3: The male organ is/is not a muscle.

Both of these statements are somewhat untrue, actually. The male organ is not composed of skeletal muscle – the kind that attaches to bones, controls movement and generally contracts voluntarily. It does, however, contain a substantial amount of smooth muscle – this makes up roughly 50% of the rod. This type of muscle is also found in organs and blood vessels, and it contracts involuntarily. There are two kinds of smooth muscle in the male organ: the corpora cavernosa (two chambers that engorge with blood during tumescence) and the corpus spongiosum, which sits between the cavernosa and houses the urethra.

Myth #4: The male organ can’t break.

While the male organ can’t break in the sense that, say, a forearm can because there’s no bone in the member, it can fracture in its own way. This occurs when one or both corpora cavernosa rupture during tumescence and blood escapes. Male organ fractures are rare, but can occur during too-vigorous self-pleasuring or partner play (particularly when the female partner is on top). This is a very serious injury, marked by immediate severe pain, loss of tumescence and bruising. If it occurs, a man should get to the emergency room right away.

Myth #5: Most men are cut.

While this is true in the U.S., it’s certainly not a worldwide standard. In 2009 the CDC reported that about 35% of newborns in the U.S. were uncut; in the rest of the world, however, about 70% of men remain intact.

Myth #6: The male organ has a mind of its own.

It’s true that firmness sometimes comes out of nowhere and stubbornly remains despite a man’s best wishes; it’s also true that a man can’t simply will a hard member. However, the idea that the male organ has a mind of its own can lead to some dangerous conclusions, such as the idea that the brain and the rod can’t operate at the same time. The male organ doesn’t draw nearly enough blood away from the brain to impair decision-making capacity. Men who think they simply lack control when their peckers perk up are fooling themselves and, in the process, setting themselves up for irresponsible behavior, for which there is no excuse. Use the male organ and the brain at the same time; it’s not only possible, but necessary for decent, humane conduct.

Myth #7: There are no male enhancement products that work.

While it’s likely true that the line of products claiming to lengthen the male organ – from medication and pumps to weights and stretching devices – are a bunch of malarkey, there are other areas besides length in which organ form and function can be improved. A quality (http://www.menshealthfirst.com health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) full of vitamins and antioxidants has the potential to enhance appearance, sensitivity levels and circulation within the member. Look for a cream with Shea butter and Vitamin E for smooth skin; vitamin C is also an ideal ingredient, as it can improve blood flow and help keep the skin looking youthful.