Dick, cock, shlong, the family jewels: There are so many words for a penis. There are also so many questions about cock to be answered. For example, what’s the average dick size? Do products that purport to make a cock grow actually work? What’s a cock ring anyway? Get educated on all your dick questions right here, right now.
The average erect penis is 5.2 inches (13 cm).
Get erect. Then, use a flexible measuring tape to measure along the top side from the tip of the penis to the pubic bone at the base.
Studies show that only about 5% to 15% of guys have a penis that is 7 inches or longer. These studies are inconclusive, however.
There is a whole industry around penis enlargement but the truth is it’s difficult to increase dick size. Some people use stretching techniques with the hand (like jelqing), or by using a traction device, but there is little evidence of effectiveness.
Penis pumps help maximize your erection, but do not increase the size of the penis. Penis surgeries are an option, but are expensive and come with risks like erectile dysfunction.
Typically, the penis stops growing by the time you’re 18.
Blowjobs can be fun, sexy, and connecting for both giver and receiver, and the best blowjobs are often the ones where the giver is enjoying it as much as the receiver. Here are our top tips for giving a blowjob:
- Communicate about what each of you likes
- Respect boundaries and practice consent
- Keep your teeth out of the way
- Tease, kiss, and lick, especially around the head, while you’re getting started
- Seal the lips around the penis and apply gentle sucking pressure
- Use your hands to stimulate the shaft and base
- Remember to have fun with it!
Although many people try it, few can actually achieve it. Try these tips to see if you can suck your own dick:
- Work on your flexibility
- Get as hard as possible
- Try lying on your back and raising your legs up so your feet go over your shoulders
- Try sitting and bending forward
People with a slimmer body shape may have more success reaching their own penis with their mouth.
A cock ring is a constrictive band that is worn at the base of the penis to keep more blood inside during an erection. Wearing one makes the penis stay harder longer. Some also come with a vibrator attached. Use a stretchy one if you’re new to cock rings and only for a max of 10 min.
Start with a stretchy cock ring made of silicone. Apply lube. Put your balls through first, then your penis before it gets hard. The ring should sit snug but not too tight at the base of the penis. Vibrating cock rings are usually designed for just the penis, not the balls. Beginners wear for 10 min max.
If you’re wondering how to ride a dick, there are different positions you can try. But the best thing is to pay attention to what makes you feel good. If being on top and grinding on a dick feels good, do that. If moving your hips, or arching your back works for you, try that. There’s really no one right way to ride a dick, so experiment as much as you’d like to figure out what works for you and your partner.
While so many questions around the dick seem to center around size, it’s important to remember to love our bodies no matter what — after all, they’re the only ones we’ve got. Dicks of all shapes and sizes — tiny, small, medium, large, gigantic — are all beautiful, and the more you know about them, the more you can enjoy them.
Louise Bourchier, MPH
Louise Bourchier is a sex educator and sex researcher with 8 years experience in the field. She teaches about sexual health, sexual pleasure, and communication in relationships through workshops, live-streams, and with written content. Using a sex-positive approach, a dash of humour, and bag full of fun props, Louise’s style of sex education for adults is not what you got in high school! Since 2011 she has taught over a hundred workshops to a wide range of audiences, from university students, to refugees, to medical professionals, to adult store clientele. She has a Masters of Public Health, and is currently a PhD candidate.
