It’s no secret that the male organ changes as a man gets older, but how to control these changes and maintain optimum male organ health is often something of a mystery. Unfortunately, not all boys are taught about the ins and outs of the male organ, and as a result, they don’t always understand how to care for it properly. By learning about how the male organ develops over time, as well as the do’s and don’ts of appropriate male organ and prepuce care, men can avoid some common, yet unpleasant problems and maintain male function well into the golden years.

The childhood male organ

When a male infant is born, the head, or bulb at the end of the male organ, is covered by a specialized layer of skin, known as the prepuce. While this skin is like the surrounding dermal tissue on the outside, the inside is more like the insides of the cheeks and mouth – it is actually a delicate mucus membrane, and not skin at all. As a matter of tradition, many parents elect to have their male children’s sheath removed through a surgical procedure.

However, as this procedure is not deemed medically necessary, fewer parents are opting for removal of the prepuce. Contrary to what many believe, the uncut infant male organ does not require any specialized care. Cleaning the male organ is as simple as bathing with soap and water; the sheath should not be forced back, and nothing should be inserted underneath for the purpose of cleaning.

Over time, the membrane joining the sheath to the head will be shed naturally; small globules of skin will roll away, often accumulating underneath the sheath. Again, there is no need to reach under an unretracted prepuce to clean these away. Forcing the sheath back can cause bleeding and scarring, which can result in adhesions that will cause problems later in life.

The male organ during puberty

Most boys will be able to retract their prepuce fully by the age of about 5; however, for many children, this will not happen until later in the teen years, usually when a male begins to discover his own body. At this time, boys should be taught to wash away the smegma that has accumulated underneath.

Pubescent boys may begin to experience growth of the male organ at this time and may gain their full size, although there is no need to worry if a 15 year-old does not have the appearance of a fully grown man. Many men continue to grow into their twenties, so there is no firm calendar date by which a male should expect to reach his full size.

The adult male organ

As men age, the tone and texture of the male organ skin may change, aging like the rest of the body. Along with thinning and wrinkling of the skin, the veins under the skin may become more prominent; and the worn nerve tissue may become less sensitive to touch. Circulation to the male organ may also diminish, and in some cases, this may lead to some degree of shrinkage; excess abdominal fat may also obscure the male organ, causing it to appear smaller than it really is.

However, with the right care, men can reduce these signs of aging, encouraging the growth of healthy new tissue to replace old cells as they die off in order to keep the male organ soft, supple, smooth and responsive. Applying a specially formulated male organ nutrient cream  (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) after a daily shower helps to provide the nourishment needed to rejuvenate the male tissue right where it is needed most.

For additional information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving male organ sensitivity, and what to do to maintain a healthy male organ, visit: http://www.man1health.com. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous online web sites.