Finding Yourself Shrinking this Time of Year? It Could Be 'Winter Penis'

Do you suffer from "winter penis?" It is reported to be a real thing that happens during the winter months. It occurs when male genitals shrink when the temperature drops, as a result of restricted blood flow to the area.

The Daily Mail reports that it is a real thing that happens during the winter months. It occurs "when male genitals shrink when the temperature drops, as a result of restricted blood flow to the area.

"Not only does this lead to a size reduction of up to 50 per cent, the reduced blood flow to the area can make it more challenging for a man to maintain an erection."

Dr Donald Grant, a GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, explained to the Daily Mail that the problem happens because the body "prioritises blood flow to more important parts of the body' in the cold, such as internal organs."

"Technically winter penis is a thing," Dr Sarah Jarvis GP and clinical director of Patient.info, concurred in an interview with the US Sun.

"Basically, in winter your body retains heat by shutting down blood vessels on the surface.

"We know that one of the most obvious places, because it has a very large surface area, is the penis."

In most cases those experiencing "winter penis" find it occurs briefly and occasionally; but it can be far worse with those with underlying erectile dysfunction (ED). There are presently 30 million American men who suffer from ED.

"Winter penis is the body's temporary response to the drop in temperatures which causes the penis and testicles to shrink in size," Dr. Grant said. "The testicles shrink so they remain as close to the body as possible to stay warm."

And, he adds: "Winter penis also has a simple fix: once you warm up the size of the organ will return to normal, as body stops adapting to better survive the cold."

But, Dr. Grant warned, if the shrinkage continues after the warming up period, or suffer from prolonged periods of erectile dysfunction, the individual should see his doctor or urologist. ED can sometimes be an indicator of serious health problems like cardiovascular disease.

Another physical manifestation from the cold involving the penis is peeing more.

"In winter, we're often indoors, around water sources, so we are more likely to be hydrated, less active, and to sweat less," wrote a report in The Conversation. As such, we tend to have more free fluid to excrete via our urine."

The reason is our bodies want to avoid losing too much heat.

"If we become cold very quickly, the body protects our internal organs in a number of ways," reported The Conversation. "One is 'cold-induced diuresis', or an increase in urine excretion in response to the cold.

"Initially, blood is diverted away from the skin to avoid losing its heat to the outside air. This means more blood ends up flushing through your internal organs. In particular, blood rushes to your kidneys in a greater volume and at a higher pressure. This increases the amount the kidneys need to filter. As a result, your rate of urine excretion increases."

Other factors in urination are diet, age, blood pressure, and personal situations.

But, experts told the Conversation that "producing more urine can also be a sign of hypothermia. This is your body responding to the cold as a stressor, so act quickly. Find somewhere away from the cold, and slowly warm up your body. If the increased urine is also accompanied by other symptoms, such as extensive shivering, breathing difficulties, or confusion, seek medical attention immediately."