The arrival of autumn 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) a jogging or running program should exercise proper penile care to deal with chafing and make their physical activity experience more pleasurable.

Prevention

There are several steps a man can take to help prevent penis chafing while running.

– Drink it all. It is always important to stay hydrated when exercising, for many reasons. When running, dehydration can increase the chance of chafing all over the body, including the 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 underwear, but for the casual runner who just wears a pair of plain old 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 boxer shorts or briefs is wearing an athletic jockstrap for the outing. This not only provides protection against the penis rubbing against outer clothing, but also helps keep the penis and testicles in place during the race. With less tumbling, there is 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. The 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. Loose clothing, like gym shorts, may not be the best option if you want to avoid chafing. Tighter, tighter shorts cause less chafing overall. Find out if compression or bike shorts, or some other form of lycra-based cover, 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 no guarantee that chafing will not occur. When it does, it must be attended to promptly.

Ideally, a man wants to “air” his package. If a man has the option to be 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 must be taken when drying to ensure that a rough towel or aggressive rubbing does not lead to further irritation of the penis.

Of primary importance with an irritated penis (be it from running or otherwise) is to apply 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 at helping fight the bacteria that produce that lingering, undesirable odor. Keeping the skin on your penis in good health by using a cream like Man1 Man Oil makes jogging more enjoyable and comfortable.