Michael Phelps’ penis makes news (and Facebook)

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The image below (that I grabbed from this site) is one that is often used to illustrate Phelps’ body proportions. However, I wonder if he finds it awkward to have his penis on display like that, or if he’s used to it by now? Certainly most of us will never have a similar experience of having one’s genitals displayed publicly, even if just in outline form. Just curious.

In fact, I was so curious about the extent to which anyone else was discussing the penis that is the elephant in the room, that I took my curiosity to Google. I found that others are discussing the penis issue in several places including a satire on men’s swimsuits, the Get Outdoors site, this somewhat older article that compares Phelps’ penis to a vaccuum hose, and even a thread on Facebook titled “does michael phelps have a penis?” But the real Michael Phelps obsession includes saucy posts on this blog. Who knew this young man could inspire so many fantasies?

Oh, and super funny, is how Phelps’ penis is apparently not okay in ads – check out this comparison showing how his penis was airbrushed out of promo images! Why so afraid of genitals, Corporate America? I would think that more guys than not would want their swimsuit to at least make it clear that they still have genitals, rather than wear a swimsuit that makes it looks like they were castrated. Shouldn’t we promote the fact that swimsuits still allow humans to have human bodies? Like how women prefer to have breasts when they wear sports bras, rather than to have “uniboob” or a flattened chest altogether.

Your thoughts, as always, are appreciated.

Check out Dr. Herbenick’s book, Because It Feels Good: A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Pleasure & Satisfaction, and follow us on Twitter @mysexprofessor

About Dr. Debby Herbenick

Dr. Debby Herbenick

Dr. Debby Herbenick is a sex researcher at Indiana University, sexual health educator at The Kinsey Institute, columnist, and author of five books about sex and love. Learn more about her work at www.sexualhealth.indiana.edu.

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  • Kevin

    It looks like the speedo could have been a lighter color so the full image of his penis could be seen . But maybe the air brush wasnt used .

  • Kevin

    It looks like the speedo could have been a lighter color so the full image of his penis could be seen . But maybe the air brush wasnt used .

  • SwimFan

    While it makes him lighting fast in the water, I can’t say that I’m a fan of the look of Michael in the Speedo LZR suit. While it certainly does an incredibly nice job of very clearly showing his penis (something that I wholeheartedly support), the way the boys wear them with the goods all pulled straight up is just not a good look. Michael looked so much better in the teeny Speedo bikini briefs he used to wear… with his penis tucked down into such an impressive and oh-so-delicious-looking bulge. And of course, showing more skin is always better… the more naked Michael is, the better he looks.

  • SwimFan

    While it makes him lighting fast in the water, I can’t say that I’m a fan of the look of Michael in the Speedo LZR suit. While it certainly does an incredibly nice job of very clearly showing his penis (something that I wholeheartedly support), the way the boys wear them with the goods all pulled straight up is just not a good look. Michael looked so much better in the teeny Speedo bikini briefs he used to wear… with his penis tucked down into such an impressive and oh-so-delicious-looking bulge. And of course, showing more skin is always better… the more naked Michael is, the better he looks.

  • Breezy

    Oh good God! When is society going to get over its prudish ways toward men! They’re still scared to show a naked man in a movie, but will show full nude women. Women have body parts and so do men. If they’re gonna air brush, they should air brush women too! No one seems to have to airbrush a woman’s breasts and my gosh,compaired to this, showing their nipples is OBSCENE. Outside of this, why is society in denial about men having more lumps and bumps to look at than women? (not talking just private parts) . Is it possible that women actually are more visual than men? And society is scared to admit it? Have women just been brain washed by prude men? How many years has it taken for people to figure out that women like sex too? Makes ya wonder, Hun? Unbelievable!!!

  • Breezy

    Oh good God! When is society going to get over its prudish ways toward men! They’re still scared to show a naked man in a movie, but will show full nude women. Women have body parts and so do men. If they’re gonna air brush, they should air brush women too! No one seems to have to airbrush a woman’s breasts and my gosh,compaired to this, showing their nipples is OBSCENE. Outside of this, why is society in denial about men having more lumps and bumps to look at than women? (not talking just private parts) . Is it possible that women actually are more visual than men? And society is scared to admit it? Have women just been brain washed by prude men? How many years has it taken for people to figure out that women like sex too? Makes ya wonder, Hun? Unbelievable!!!

  • Debby

    Thank you for your comments! The lengths that people will go to hide evidence of body parts (yes – lumps and bumps, whether linked to one’s genitals or not) can be pretty astounding.

  • Debby

    Thank you for your comments! The lengths that people will go to hide evidence of body parts (yes – lumps and bumps, whether linked to one’s genitals or not) can be pretty astounding.

  • chris

    it looks very small

  • chris

    it looks very small

  • http://theworldasiseeit.deviantart.com/favourites/ David

    I attend ballets and even though males are theoretically wearing dance belts, sometimes that overhead lighting is shining just right and the outline of balls and shaft end up showing. Sometimes even the head (bulb) of the shaft is distinguishable from the rest of the shaft. Also, male butts in particular end up being perfectly outlined in ballet. I recently heard two women say that guys should dress up in tights more often after getting giggly while viewing a male ballet dancer.

    I take dance classes and wear under armour tights and I actually like it when I catch a female giving my bulge a good hard look. I actually hope that it generates some masturbation fantasies in them when they get home. I like it because it lets me know that all of that propaganda about women not wanting to see it is a lie. I think that this public smear campaign against the penis is what causes some men to become obsessed with showing it off. We just want it to be adored and admired by women. HE HE.

  • http://theworldasiseeit.deviantart.com/favourites/ David

    I attend ballets and even though males are theoretically wearing dance belts, sometimes that overhead lighting is shining just right and the outline of balls and shaft end up showing. Sometimes even the head (bulb) of the shaft is distinguishable from the rest of the shaft. Also, male butts in particular end up being perfectly outlined in ballet. I recently heard two women say that guys should dress up in tights more often after getting giggly while viewing a male ballet dancer.

    I take dance classes and wear under armour tights and I actually like it when I catch a female giving my bulge a good hard look. I actually hope that it generates some masturbation fantasies in them when they get home. I like it because it lets me know that all of that propaganda about women not wanting to see it is a lie. I think that this public smear campaign against the penis is what causes some men to become obsessed with showing it off. We just want it to be adored and admired by women. HE HE.

  • hkk

    Actually looks average to larger than average for a flaccid penis. He's a real man, not a porn star.

  • Trey

    Why do people think they have to air brush the penis and other things on the body???? It's not like it isn't normal we all have penises, or Brest and vaginas so what's the big deal???? It's not like we don't look at these body parts when ever we take a shower or go to the bathroom or anything else we might do with them. I would run down the street with nothin on shaken my penis all around if I could so I guess I don't get this society now a days.