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25th May 2025
01:46pm BST
A doctor has revealed why heatwave gives some men what has been described as ‘summer penis’.
There are plenty of pros with the season of summer, such as warm weather, longer evenings and actually seeing the sun from time to time; however there is supposedly one more positive that most people have never even heard of.
Dr Chun Tang who is a GP at healthcare clinic Pall Mall Medical tried to explain the strange phenomenon that people have started noticing with their old chap downstairs.
He said: “So ‘summer penis’ is a term people use to describe when a male’s penis seems a bit bigger or fuller during hot weather.
“It’s not an official medical thing, just something people have noticed and talked about.
“The idea is that in warmer months, especially when it’s hot and humid, the heat causes your blood vessels to expand a bit, which can make things down there look a bit different.”
He added: “Some men notice that their penis looks a little larger, especially when it’s flaccid.
“Because of the increased blood flow, it might feel a bit softer or more relaxed than usual.”
Dr Tang noted that you could be more easily affected by the condition if you are more susceptible to the heat.
However, he stressed that there is no set temperature at which point the effect kicks in.
He said: “When it’s hot, your body naturally tries to cool down by widening the blood vessels, which can make more blood flow to places like your hands, feet, and even your penis.”
Therefore it might be worth holding off the budgie smugglers and grabbing a cooler, better aerated pair of shorts.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical director of Patient.info said in an interview with the Sun: “Technically when you’re hot, as well as when you are excited, then your blood vessels may expand.
“When blood vessels on the surface are a bit bigger, then things are going to look a bit bigger.
“But your penis is not growing, it’s just your blood vessels growing slightly larger as a way to reduce heat.”
However Dr Tang advises that if the you are struggling to cope with the heat, ‘summer penis’ is not worth the sweat.
He said: “Avoid too much heat, wear loose clothes, and stay well-hydrated.
“This can help minimise the effect.”
He added: “On its own, ‘summer penis’ isn’t a sign of anything serious.
“But, if you notice any sudden or unusual changes in your penis – like significant swelling, pain, or discomfort – then it’s definitely a good idea to get it checked out by a doctor.
“Those could be signs of something that does need attention, like an infection or an injury.”
The penis is not the only part of the body that reacts to the hot weather.
In fact it is normal for the entire body to feel the effects with the swelling of ankles due to fluid retention or things like heat rash and eczema.
Despite spending time in the sun helping stimulate the production of melatonin and serotonin, good advice states to manage time spend in the sun to avoid the risks of heat stroke and sunburn while it is always important to stay hydrated in the heat.
