Summer's Heat and Its Impact on Male Appearance: Debunking the Myth of Enhanced Masculinity

In a series of articles dubbed "Sex Ed for Grown-Ups," HuffPost delves into topics often left unexplored in traditional sex education, such as the phenomenon known as "Summer Penis." This article, published on July 29, 2018, explores the idea that penises may appear larger during the summer months.

The theory suggests that the increase in size is due to warmer temperatures leading to relaxation of blood vessels in the penis, resulting in increased blood flow and a longer, fuller appearance. Sex coach and author, Brian Ayers, and Mel Magazine reporter, Tracy Moore, both report experiencing this summer phenomenon and attribute it to seasonal lifestyle changes, such as spending more time outside and engaging in physical activities like hiking, swimming, and jogging.

However, not everyone is convinced. Paul Turek, a urologist, states that there is no definitive scientific evidence on summer penis. Turek explains that the scrotal sac is temperature-sensitive and drops when hot, and creeps up when cold. Shrinkage, he notes, can be caused by colder temperatures leading to less skin showing, less desire, less sweating, and more hibernative fat.

Aaron Spitz, another urologist, initially scoffed at the idea but later admitted there could be some truth to the phenomenon. He jokingly commented about the potential impact of climate change on penis size in the future: "If this is true, think of what the penises of 2050 will be like after the climate crisis/global warming. It'd be a peen-pocalypse."

Fiona Hilario, the founder of Lay Bare Waxing Salon, also weighed in on the topic, suggesting that removing excess hair around the penis can make it appear larger. Hilario added that getting rid of hair can make one smell fresher, benefiting both the individual and their partner.

However, not everyone is convinced about the significance of changes in penis size due to the season. Ashley, a 27-year-old from Washington, D.C., expressed skepticism about the idea, while Richard, a 30-year-old from the northeast U.S., reported experiencing larger penis size in the summer.

HuffPost is committed to providing unflinching, fact-based journalism, and this series includes expert-based articles and personal stories, aiming to educate and enlighten its readers about various aspects of adult sexuality. The term "Sommer Penis" does not have a documented origin or first mention by a journalist in the provided search results. Nevertheless, the debate continues, with more research needed to confirm or debunk this intriguing theory.