While guys may try their best to appear confident and self-assured, many of them (if not all) have some deep-seated concerns and anxieties about their male organs. In fact, in many men, these concerns can become something of an obsession, which may damage their confidence and even prevent them from developing intimate relationships. Being informed about the male anatomy can eliminate some of the worries about whether or not a man has a normal manhood and help him to take charge of his male organ health. Some common insecurities about the manhood are addressed here.

My male organ is much smaller than the guys I see in adult movies. Am I smaller than average? Size is an incredibly important issue to most men, and many are convinced that they are abnormally small. Unfortunately, this view often comes from a habit of comparing themselves to the actors they see in adult-oriented films. It is important to keep in mind that these men are employed as adult film stars because they are anything but average; add special effects into the mix, and regular men have no hope of measuring up. In reality, very few men fall outside the average range (which is, by the way, about 5 to 6 inches when fully hard), and even those who are a bit smaller than normal are generally still perfectly able to satisfy their partners.

I have a ring of bumps around the crown of my male organ that won’t go away. Do I have a partner-transmitted infection? While men who are active may always be at risk for diseases, a ring of bumps around the head is not usually a sign of one. Instead, it is most likely a normal occurrence known as pearly manhood papules. These are not harmful or contagious, and in fact, they may provide an extra level of pleasure for a woman – so men can actually regard this anatomical variation as an advantage.

What is the weird, dark line on the underside of my male organ?
This dark line runs from the perineum, across the sack and all the way up the shaft of the male organ. It is known as the manhood raphe, a Greek word that simply means “seam.” It is the result of the anatomical distinction between males and females that occurs in utero and is present on all men.

I think my male organ is abnormal – it always bends to the right (or left) when I am hard.
The idealized image of a firm male organ is one that points as straight as an arrow, but few men are this linear in real life. A hard male organ can bend to the left or right, or curve slightly upward or downward; this is all completely normal and nothing to worry about.

After I self-pleasure, I can’t get hard again for hours. Do I have performance dysfunction?
Even the most randy teenager has what is known as a “refractory period,” which refers to the time that it takes to refuel the tanks, so to speak, after emission. A man who can’t become completely excited within hours, or even days, of emission does not have a performance problem; he simply needs time to recover. Performance issues are only diagnosed if a man goes for more than two weeks without the ability to achieve and maintain tumescence long enough to reach emission.

Ongoing care for all male organ types
Whether a man’s equipment falls within the range of normal or stands out as an exception, proper care can ensure that it will look, feel and perform at its best. Here are some basics that all men should follow:

• Cleanliness is key. Close attention to hygiene should always be a priority, and not just the afternoon before a big date. Men who clean their equipment daily are less likely to develop uncomfortable and embarrassing skin problems, not to mention that signature fishy smell.

• A little breathing room, please. Restrictive clothing, sitting too long and even cycling can cut off much of the blood supply to the area; this can result in loss of sensation and even damage a man’s ability to perform. A looser-fitting pair of trousers, and underwear that is supportive but not too tight, are safer wardrobe choices.

• Snuff the butts. Most men may wish for a longer male organ, but few dream of a more diminutive tool. Because of this, men who haven’t yet gotten the memo that smoking is destructive to the entire body may take note when they learn that smoking not only damages manhood sensation and performance, but can actually cause it to shrink by up to an inch.

• And finally, a moisturizer, just for him. Hydrating creams and lotions aren’t just for her. All skin – even male skin – needs the right amount of moisture to retain its natural elasticity, smooth texture and healthy appearance. A specially-formulated male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help in all of these respects, employing a rich array of vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants to fuel cell metabolism, renew and rejuvenate damaged tissue and boost sensation that has dulled over time.