Doctor warns of 'winter penis' as temperatures begin to dip

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As cooler temperatures become the norm this time of year, men may notice their manhood has shrunk after being outside.

While the term “shrinkage” was made famous during an episode of Seinfeld 30 years ago, “winter penis” has recently become a popular way to describe the effect cold weather has on male genitalia, which can see it decrease in size by up to 50%, according to doctors.

And that may hinder men’s performance in bed.

“Winter penis is the body’s temporary response to the drop in temperatures which causes the penis and testicles to shrink in size,” Dr. Donald Grant, a senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy, told Britain’s Daily Mail.

“The testicles shrink so they remain as close to the body as possible to stay warm.”

He explained that the male organ becomes briefly smaller in size as the body “prioritizes blood flow to more important parts of the body” when temperatures dip below freezing.

And he explained that men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) can be affected far worse by the cold.

“Men who already suffer from ED could find their condition more difficult to manage, when weather begins to deteriorate,” said Grant.

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According to the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, close to 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 88 have erectile dysfunction.

However, the best way for the penis to return to its normal size after being out in the cold is to gradually warm it up.

Grant said not to confuse winter penis with frostbite, which occurs when skin and tissue are exposed to extremely cold temperatures as blood withdraws from the area to keep internal organs warm.

Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures leads to a pins and needles sensation to the affected area before numbness sets in. Frozen tissue needs to be amputated in extreme cases.