Prince Albert piercing
Encyclopedia
For other uses of "Prince Albert", see Prince Albert (disambiguation)
The Prince Albert (PA) is one of the more common male genital piercings
. The PA is "a ring-style piercing that extends along the underside of the glans from the urethral opening to where the glans meets the shaft of the penis." The related "reverse Prince Albert piercing
" enters through the urethra and exits through a hole pierced in the top of the glans
.
While some piercers may choose to avoid the nerve bundle that runs along the center of the frenulum
altogether, others do not. The piercing may be centered if the bearer is circumcised
. Otherwise, the piercing may be done off-center because the surrounding skin needs to be able to reposition itself dynamically.
Some PA wearers report it enhances sexual pleasure for both partners. Some people penetrated by males with this piercing report discomfort. PA rings can cause additional discomfort to female partners in cases when the penis comes in contact with the cervix. Sexual partners of those with piercings may present with complications such as chipped teeth, choking, foreign bodies getting stuck between the partner's teeth, and mucosal injury to receptive partners.
As with many piercings, there is a small risk of the jewelry becoming caught on clothing and being pulled or torn out, but this is usually only a concern with small gauge rings(smaller than approx. 8 ga). Very large gauge or heavy jewelry can cause thinning of the tissue between the urethral opening and the healed fistula resulting in an accidental meatotomy
. Conversely, extremely thin jewelry can cause the same tearing in what is commonly referred to as the "cheese cutter effect", either during sudden torsion or over a long period of wearing, especially if the thin jewelry bears any weight. In some cases this can be corrected surgically.
Prince Albert piercings are typically pierced at either 10 or 8 gauge
. They are often (gradually) stretched to 8g, 6g or 4g soon after. Preventing the 'cheese cutter effect' can be one of the reasons not to perform the initial piercing at a small diameter (16g, 14g or 12g) and / or to rapidly start the stretching procedure to at least 8g or 6g, although personal preference and individual anatomy also play a role in these decisions.
Further stretching to sizes above 10 mm is possible. If a sufficiently heavy barbell or ring is worn continuously, a mild form of 'auto stretching' can be observed. This means that inserting jewelry one size larger the previous jewelry is easier and less painful than in most other piercing locations.
While most wearers find that PAs are comfortable to wear and rarely remove them, even during sex, some individuals might find that extremely large or heavy jewelry is uncomfortable to wear for long periods or interferes with the sexual functioning of the penis.
Jewelry suitably worn in a PA includes the circular barbell, curved barbell, captive bead
, segment ring and the Prince's Wand
. Curved barbells used for PA piercings are usually 7/8" in length, such that one ball sits on the lower side of the penis and the other ball sits at the urethral opening. This type of jewelry prevents discomfort that can come from larger jewelry moving around during daily wear.
consists of a hollow tube with a threaded cap at the end. The tube is inserted into the urethra, and a stem is inserted through the PA piercing and into another threaded hole on the side of the tube. The general shape is similar to a policeman's truncheon
. The side stem holds the tube in place. The threaded cap, often just a ball, can be removed so the wearer can urinate through the hollow tube without having to remove the jewelry.
in some manner, rather than having a sexual or cultural purpose.
In modern times, the Prince Albert piercing was popularized by Jim Ward in the early 1970s. In West Hollywood, Ward met Doug Malloy and Fakir Musafar
. Together, these men further developed the Prince Albert piercing. Malloy published a pamphlet in which he concocted fanciful histories of genital piercings in particular. These ersatz
tales—which included the notion that Prince Albert invented the piercing that shares his name in order to tame the appearance of his large penis in tight trousers—are widely circulated as urban legend
. No historical proof of their veracity has been located independent of Malloy's assertions. Like many other male genital piercings, it has a history of practice in gay culture in the twentieth century and became known outside that culture at the same time that body piercing
began to emerge in popular culture
in the late 1970s.
The Prince Albert (PA) is one of the more common male genital piercings
Genital piercing
Genital piercing is a form of body piercing and is considered a form of body modification. It involves piercing a part of the genitalia and subsequently inserting and keeping a foreign object in the opening until the wound heals. This forms a tunnel of skin around the foreign object, thus creating...
. The PA is "a ring-style piercing that extends along the underside of the glans from the urethral opening to where the glans meets the shaft of the penis." The related "reverse Prince Albert piercing
Reverse Prince Albert piercing
The Reverse Prince Albert piercing is a form of male genital piercing. The “Reverse Prince Albert piercing” enters through the urethra and exits through a hole pierced in the top of the glans...
" enters through the urethra and exits through a hole pierced in the top of the glans
Glans penis
The glans penis is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the penis. The glans penis is anatomically homologous to the clitoral glans of the female...
.
While some piercers may choose to avoid the nerve bundle that runs along the center of the frenulum
Frenulum of prepuce of penis
The word frenulum on its own is often used for the frenulum of prepuce of penis, which is an elastic band of tissue under the glans penis that connects to the prepuce, or foreskin to the vernal mucosa, and helps contract the prepuce over the glans. This is sometimes colloquially known as the "banjo...
altogether, others do not. The piercing may be centered if the bearer is circumcised
Circumcision
Male circumcision is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis. The word "circumcision" comes from Latin and ....
. Otherwise, the piercing may be done off-center because the surrounding skin needs to be able to reposition itself dynamically.
Healing and potential side effects
The PA healing time can take from 4 weeks to 6 months. A fresh PA piercing may cause bleeding, swelling and inflammation. In rare cases, it can lead to local infections. Some men find that the dribble caused by the PA when urinating necessitates sitting down to urinate. With practice, some men are able to control the stream while standing.Some PA wearers report it enhances sexual pleasure for both partners. Some people penetrated by males with this piercing report discomfort. PA rings can cause additional discomfort to female partners in cases when the penis comes in contact with the cervix. Sexual partners of those with piercings may present with complications such as chipped teeth, choking, foreign bodies getting stuck between the partner's teeth, and mucosal injury to receptive partners.
As with many piercings, there is a small risk of the jewelry becoming caught on clothing and being pulled or torn out, but this is usually only a concern with small gauge rings(smaller than approx. 8 ga). Very large gauge or heavy jewelry can cause thinning of the tissue between the urethral opening and the healed fistula resulting in an accidental meatotomy
Meatotomy
A meatotomy is a form of penile modification in which the underside of the glans is split. The procedure may be performed by a doctor to alleviate meatal stenosis or urethral stricture...
. Conversely, extremely thin jewelry can cause the same tearing in what is commonly referred to as the "cheese cutter effect", either during sudden torsion or over a long period of wearing, especially if the thin jewelry bears any weight. In some cases this can be corrected surgically.
Jewelry
American wire gauge
American wire gauge , also known as the Brown & Sharpe wire gauge, is a standardized wire gauge system used since 1857 predominantly in the United States and Canada for the diameters of round, solid, nonferrous, electrically conducting wire...
. They are often (gradually) stretched to 8g, 6g or 4g soon after. Preventing the 'cheese cutter effect' can be one of the reasons not to perform the initial piercing at a small diameter (16g, 14g or 12g) and / or to rapidly start the stretching procedure to at least 8g or 6g, although personal preference and individual anatomy also play a role in these decisions.
Further stretching to sizes above 10 mm is possible. If a sufficiently heavy barbell or ring is worn continuously, a mild form of 'auto stretching' can be observed. This means that inserting jewelry one size larger the previous jewelry is easier and less painful than in most other piercing locations.
While most wearers find that PAs are comfortable to wear and rarely remove them, even during sex, some individuals might find that extremely large or heavy jewelry is uncomfortable to wear for long periods or interferes with the sexual functioning of the penis.
Jewelry suitably worn in a PA includes the circular barbell, curved barbell, captive bead
Captive bead
A captive bead ring , ball closure ring , captive hoop, or captive ball ring is a common example of body piercing jewelry.The captive bead or ball fits into a small opening in the circle of the ring...
, segment ring and the Prince's Wand
Prince's Wand
The prince's wand is a piece of body piercing jewelry. It consists of a hollow tube with a threaded cap at the end. The tube is inserted into the urethra, and a stem is inserted through a Prince Albert piercing and into another threaded hole on the side of the tube. The general shape is similar to...
. Curved barbells used for PA piercings are usually 7/8" in length, such that one ball sits on the lower side of the penis and the other ball sits at the urethral opening. This type of jewelry prevents discomfort that can come from larger jewelry moving around during daily wear.
Prince's wand
The prince's wandPrince's Wand
The prince's wand is a piece of body piercing jewelry. It consists of a hollow tube with a threaded cap at the end. The tube is inserted into the urethra, and a stem is inserted through a Prince Albert piercing and into another threaded hole on the side of the tube. The general shape is similar to...
consists of a hollow tube with a threaded cap at the end. The tube is inserted into the urethra, and a stem is inserted through the PA piercing and into another threaded hole on the side of the tube. The general shape is similar to a policeman's truncheon
Truncheon
Truncheon may refer to:*Baton *Cutting , means of plant propagation used by gardeners*HMS Truncheon , a British submarine commissioned during Word War II and later sold to Israel...
. The side stem holds the tube in place. The threaded cap, often just a ball, can be removed so the wearer can urinate through the hollow tube without having to remove the jewelry.
History and culture
The origin of this piercing is unknown. Many theories suggest that the piercing was used to secure the penisPenis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
in some manner, rather than having a sexual or cultural purpose.
In modern times, the Prince Albert piercing was popularized by Jim Ward in the early 1970s. In West Hollywood, Ward met Doug Malloy and Fakir Musafar
Fakir Musafar
Fakir Musafar is considered the father of the modern primitive movement. He has experimented on his own body with body modification techniques such as body piercing, tightlacing, scarification, tattooing, and suspension, and has documented, shared and taught others as part of his life's work...
. Together, these men further developed the Prince Albert piercing. Malloy published a pamphlet in which he concocted fanciful histories of genital piercings in particular. These ersatz
Ersatz
Ersatz means 'substituting for, and typically inferior in quality to', e.g. 'chicory is ersatz coffee'. It is a German word literally meaning substitute or replacement...
tales—which included the notion that Prince Albert invented the piercing that shares his name in order to tame the appearance of his large penis in tight trousers—are widely circulated as urban legend
Urban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
. No historical proof of their veracity has been located independent of Malloy's assertions. Like many other male genital piercings, it has a history of practice in gay culture in the twentieth century and became known outside that culture at the same time that body piercing
Body piercing
Body piercing, a form of body modification, is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewelry may be worn. The word piercing can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to an opening in the body created by this act or practice...
began to emerge in popular culture
Popular culture
Popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the...
in the late 1970s.