By the time a guy becomes an adult, he may think there are no new penis facts left to learn. After all, between that boring sex ed class (which did feature a few good pictures, it’s true) and his own experiments and bull sessions with other guys, it may seem like there’s nothing left to know. But that’s not always so, and some of the things one can still learn can have an impact on one’s ongoing good penis health. With that in mind, the following are several penis facts that are foreign to many men.

- Erections start before birth. Some guys feel like they’ve been hard since the day there were born, but the truth is that men get their first erections in the womb. Ultrasound images indicate that male fetuses exhibit erect penises during the third trimester of pregnancy. Even before birth, a guy’s best pal is keeping him company.

- It’s bigger than a guy may think. Yes, guys obsess about size, but a dude’s penis is much longer than it may appear. That’s because approximately half of the tool is inside the body. That may not help in practical terms, but it does give a guy a legitimate reason to claim to have an 8 incher.

- Cigarettes cause shrinkage. Smoking is simply bad news, but especially for a guy who wants to show off the size of his rod. That’s because smoking causes blood vessels to constrict. When this goes on over a long period of time, the penis skin’s elasticity diminishes, which in turn affects the ability of the penis to expand. Also a factor: the constricted blood vessels prevent blood from flowing as freely to the tool, which can affect the firmness and also add to a shorter erection.

- The brain doesn’t give all the orders. While the brain is generally the big guy in charge of many bodily activities, it doesn’t play a role in when a man ejaculates. That command comes from the spine.

- The penis reflects brain dominance. Whether a penis hangs to the left or the right generally reflects whether a guy is left brain dominant or right brain dominant. The area of the brain which is dominant influences such things as capability with spatial relationships and mathematical ability.

- Erections contribute to penis health. Guys get lots of erections and their brains are hardwired to give them strong sexual urges. There are many reasons for this, but one is because frequent erections and sex help to keep the penis in good health.

- Bacteria like the penis. One study found 42 different kinds of bacteria typically inhabit a guy’s penis. Not all of those are bad, fortunately, but it does seem ridiculously diverse.

- Penises can lose sensation. Most men report gradually losing some sensitivity in their tool as they age. In addition, rough handling or trauma can cause peripheral nerve damage that can significantly affect penis sensitivity.

While one’s sex ed class may not have taught all there is to know, most guys come out of it with some important penis facts – such as the necessity of keeping the tool healthy. That's why regular use of a quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) is crucial. For example, with all that bacteria on the penis, a crème with an ingredient that fights bacteria, such as vitamin A, is essential, especially in terms of decreasing unwanted and persistent penile odors. Tools that have lost sensitivity respond to a crème with a neuroprotective ingredient like acetyl L-carnitine, which helps restore sensation. And a powerful antioxidant (such as alpha lipoic acid) in a crème will fight harmful oxidative processes that cause the penis to take on an aged and wrinkled look. The most important penis fact: use a penis health crème regularly!