Don't do this to your penis...

Key wellness strategies & self-care / productivity-style tips

(from “10 things you should never do to your penis”)

Don’t ignore penis changes

• Treat erection problems as a health marker—they can reflect:
  • Blood flow
  • Hormones
  • Nervous system functioning
  • Psychological stress
• “Erectile dysfunction is the canary in the coal mine” → an early signal to pay attention to overall cardiovascular and wellness health.

Don’t DIY or rely on unproven “penis hacks”

• Avoid at-home remedies or products claiming instant length/thickness.
• Specifically discouraged:
  • Jelqing (manual stretching): may cause micro-injuries, potential irreversible damage, and erectile dysfunction.
  • Homemade constriction devices (e.g., improvised bands/rings/bottle rings): can cause swelling, emergencies (including ER-level scenarios), and tissue injury.

Don’t neglect hygiene—don’t overdo it either

• If you have a foreskin:
  • Pull it back, clean underneath, and inspect.
  • Ensure you can retract it.
• If you can’t retract the foreskin:
  • Talk to a clinician (sometimes reversible with treatment; other times circumcision may be needed).
• Avoid aggressive cleaning:
  • Don’t use harsh or scented soaps aggressively.
  • Avoid vigorous rubbing that can cause irritation or lacerations.

Don’t ignore pain, ulcers, bleeding, or warning signs

Get medical care for:

• Possible STIs or urinary tract infections
• Blood in urine (could indicate stones or other serious causes)
• Ulcers/ulceration (rare, but may involve cancer)

Seek care early—delayed treatment can lead to more invasive outcomes.

Don’t be unsafe during sex—stay in control

• Prioritize safe sex (e.g., condoms and strategies that reduce STI/pregnancy risk).
• Prevent injury:
  • Avoid very vigorous angles/speeds that can lead to penile fracture.
  • If fracture symptoms occur (often a popping sound, significant pain, swelling), go to the ER for surgical repair.
• Use adequate lubricant to reduce friction/trauma and support comfortable sex (normal lubrication can vary with age and medications).

Don’t overheat the testicles

• Avoid frequent exposure to hot/wet heat (e.g., jacuzzis, steam rooms).
• For daily routines:
  • Reduce heat impact from devices (e.g., keep a barrier between genitals and a laptop; avoid front-pocket phone heat).

Don’t be overly rough with masturbation

• Avoid “death grip” or aggressive pressure patterns that are hard to replicate during partnered sex.
• Aim for pleasure methods similar in intensity/approach to what you find arousing with a partner.
  • Use lubricant
  • Avoid shame-driven rushing

Don’t smoke; take care of cardiovascular/lifestyle health

• Smoking is strongly linked to:
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Bladder cancer risk
• Support penile health with lifestyle habits:
  • Healthy diet
  • Exercise
    • Aerobic for blood flow + resistance training for testosterone
  • Limit alcohol; avoid excess drugs
  • Reduce chronic stress
    • Acute stress may be normal, but chronic stress worsens sex drive/erections

Don’t be harsh or self-shaming

• Performance anxiety can create a vicious cycle:
  • Worry → trouble getting/keeping an erection → more worry
• Normalize occasional fluctuations and respond with self-kindness rather than punishment.

Don’t stop sexual activity/erections—address “use it or lose it”

• Nighttime erections (3–5) help oxygenate/protect tissue.
• Watch for:
  • Loss of nighttime erections → possible shrinking/scar tissue concerns
  • Declining sex drive from stress/hormones or avoidance (desire can continue to drop)
• Maintain intimacy effort—beneficial for both connection and sexual health.

Presenters / Sources

• Dr. Reena Malik (urologist and pelvic surgeon; video presenter)
• Book referenced: Atomic Habits (author not named in the subtitles)