If you ever thought being a gay man was easy, then you may want to think again. If you are prone to working out at the gym a lot, you may have noticed that after your session your penis appears smaller.  Something no man wants to happen just before you hit the communal showers.  Evidently you are not alone, as  Cleveland Clinic female urologist Dr Raevti Bole explains that gym penis (yes, its got a name!) occurs because of a range of factors that can affect how large the penis appears.   She reassures us by stating “It’s a normal and natural physiological response”. Phew!

“When it’s cold, muscles contract to tighten your scrotum and pull your testes closer to your body for warmth,” she explains. The penis contains similar muscles, meaning it can also appear temporarily retracted. It’s a normal and natural physiological response. Once you warm back up, everything should return to normal.”

Evidently, exercise can involve some of the same physiological responses. During strenuous activity, the body increases its cardiovascular activity and redirects resources towards the muscles and organs involved in exercise. The sympathetic nervous system is also activated during physical exertion, producing changes throughout the body.  That can make the penis appear more contracted while it is flaccid. The effect may be particularly noticeable during demanding workouts or when exercising in colder conditions.