Sex Development-Males

Puberty in Males

Puberty is a time of many changes. A boy's body starts changing when he is in between 11 and 20. Many boys worry that they are not developing fast enough. Remember, each person has his own timetable. Some boys start puberty early, and some start later. You will go through puberty at your own speed.
Most of the changes of puberty are caused by the male hormone testosterone which the body is starting to produce. Testosterone is made in the testicles. The testicles are inside a sac or bag below the penis, called the scrotum.
As the amount of testosterone increases, the scrotum gets darker. The penis and testicles start to grow. Pubic hair also starts to grow. Underarm and facial hair will come later. The voice gets deeper, and sometimes may crack or break. In the throat, the Adam's apple, or larynx, gets bigger. Some boys swell a little under their nipples, but this usually goes away.

The testicles start to produce sperm. This will continue for the rest of a man's life. Sperm are released in a white fluid called "semen". Sometimes semen is released from the penis during sleep. This is called a "wet dream", and it is normal and harmless.

Some people think that you can tell the size of a man's penis by other physical characteristics, like the size of his feet or his race. These beliefs are not true. It is also not true that the size of a man's penis affects his partner's sexual satisfaction.

An erection, or "hard-on", may occur at unexpected times. This can be embarrassing, but it is normal. It is not necessary to ejaculate or "come", even for years, in order to be healthy.

Pimples or acne are a common problem. Washing with plain soap, avoiding foods with lots of fat, using lotions with benzoyl peroxide which are available without prescription at drug stores, or a visit to the doctor may help. Body odour is caused by perspiration, and can be helped by washing with plain soap or deodorant soaps and using deodorants.

Most boys grow quickly between ages 12 and 15. By 18, most stop growing, but muscles will continue to develop.

Puberty may be a time of strong sexual feelings and fantasies. These feelings may be confusing, and may cause both concern and pleasure; however, they are normal. If you are worried, find books about puberty, or talk with someone you trust. You can call a local Planned Parenthood organization or Public Health Unit .

Men's Sexual Organs

A man's most obvious sex organ is his penis. Penis size has nothing to do with how tall or muscular a man is, his race, or any other physical characteristic. The size of a penis when it is soft has little to do with its size when it is erect.Men with big penises are not more masculine or manly. They do not make more sperm than men with small penises. And, the size of a man's penis has nothing to do with how much he and his partner enjoy sex.

At the tip of the penis is the opening where urine comes out. When the man is sexually excited a clear fluid will come from this opening. This contains sperm and is natural. The opening is also where semen comes out when a man ejaculates or "comes".
Some men have been circumcised. This can be for health or religious reasons. It means that a part of the foreskin has been removed from around the head of the penis. This changes the appearance of the penis and may make it easier to keep the penis clean, but has no other effect.

A penis becomes erect when blood rushes to it, causing it to become hard and stick up or out from the body. This is often called a "hard-on" or a "boner". Some erections happen unexpectedly, often when they aren't wanted. They may happen when a boy or man is thinking sexual thoughts, when he is excited or anxious, or sometimes when he is not thinking about anything in particular. This may be embarrassing but it is normal.
Behind the penis are the testicles or "balls". They are in a sac called the "scrotum". One may be larger and hang lower than the other. Sperm need to be cooler than the body to live -- this is why the testicles are outside the body.
Most lumps or bumps in the scrotum are harmless pouches of fluid, called cysts. Some go away by themselves, others need to be removed by surgery. A lump in the scrotum could also be a sign of cancer. It is important to have any lump checked by a doctor. Your doctor can also show you how to examine your testicles regularly. The best time to do this is after a hot bath or shower. The Canadian and American Cancer Societies have literature on this subject.
If you want more information on men's sexual organs, find books on the topic. Talk with your parents, someone at a clinic or a family planning centre. Or, you can call a local Planned Parenthood organization or Public Health Unit .