The arrival of fall weather inspires many men to go for a run, which is a great way to stay active and healthy. Unfortunately, as with any form of exercise, jogging also has some potential side effects, including the dreaded sore penis. Men starting (or continuing with) a jogging or running program should exercise proper penile care to deal with chafing and make their physical activity experience more enjoyable.
Prevention
There are several steps a man can take to help prevent penile chafing while running.
– Drink everything. It’s always important to stay hydrated when exercising, for many reasons. When running, dehydration can increase the chance of chafing all over your body, including your penis. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of water before, during and after a long run.
– Avoid the commando style. Some running clothes are designed to be worn without undergarments, but for the casual runner who’s just wearing a plain old pair of gym shorts, going commando shouldn’t be considered an option. When the penis is left without the protection that underwear provides, it rubs against the much rougher fabric of gym shorts, a guaranteed path for chafing.
– Think supporter. Even better than wearing briefs or boxer shorts is wearing an athletic jockstrap for the start. This not only provides protection against the penis rubbing against outer clothing, but also helps keep the penis and testicles in place during the stroke. With less romping, there’s less rubbing and less chance of chafing. While the traditional cotton jockstrap is an option, many men would do better with a jockstrap made from a synthetic material. Cotton absorbs sweat and passes it to the penis. This can increase the chance of chafing. Whichever material is chosen, the brief should be washed (and allowed to dry completely) after each use.
– Choose shorts carefully. Baggy clothing, such as gym shorts, may not be the best option if you want to avoid chafing. Tighter, tighter shorts cause less chafing overall. Investigate if compression or bike shorts, or some other form of lycra-based covering, may be better. However, make sure the fit is not TOO tight, as this can cause circulation problems.
chafing care
Unfortunately, even taking precautions is not a guarantee that chafing will not occur. When it does, it should be dealt with promptly.
Ideally, a man wants to “air” his package. If a man has the option of being naked for an extended period of time, he should take advantage of it. Whether he can go nude or not, he also needs to properly clean the area with a mild cleanser. Care should be taken when drying to ensure that a rough towel or aggressive rubbing does not further irritate the penis.
Of paramount importance with an irritated penis (whether from running or otherwise) is applying a quality penis health cream. (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) promptly. Be sure to select a cream that includes a combination of a high-quality emollient (such as shea butter) and a powerful moisturizer (such as vitamin E); This combination helps provide the all-important hydration that soothes and heals dry, irritated skin. Keeping the penis properly hydrated is key during the healing process. It is also advisable to use a cream with vitamin A, to take advantage of the antibacterial properties of this vitamin. Many runners develop an unpleasant odor in the crotch area due to sweat-related bacteria. Vitamin A is great for helping to fight the bacteria that cause that lingering, undesirable odor. Keeping the penile skin in good health by using a cream like Man1 Man Oil makes jogging more pleasant and comfortable.