I've been masturbating for almost exactly a year, about once a day. One of my concerns is that I often have some chafing or open sores on the line where I have been circumcised.

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I've been masturbating for almost exactly a year, about once a day. One of my concerns is that I often have some chafing or open sores on the line where I have been circumcised.

(It happens only if I've been especially active.) Should I try using some lube? I've never used any before. Also, I've heard of a technique called "jelqing," which supposedly was used by Middle-Easterners to enlarge their penises. Can you shed some light?
- age 14, Tennessee

We recommend that you use some kind of lube when you masturbate – it's just much kinder to your penis. It greatly reduces the chances of working up an abrasion, and it lets you go longer and give yourself more pleasure without roughing up the skin on your penis too badly.

As for your second question, there is such a technique, but we haven't looked into its effectiveness or its safety. Why? Because we believe everyone should learn to enjoy and appreciate their own body the way it is – and the pleasure it can provide – rather than try to change it. Always remember that if you try something unsafe and you end up injuring your penis, or affect your ability to get an erection, you could regret it for the rest of your life.