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Prince Albert Piercing

 Prince Albert Piercing Drawing
The Prince Albert is the most common penis piercing. Popularized in the 1970s San Francisco leather community, the name comes from the legend that Queen Victoria’s husband wore a “dressing ring” through his penis to strap it to his leg and eliminate the “unsightly bulge” that occurred when wearing the era’s fashionably tight trousers. This story originally appeared in Doug Malloy’s The Art of Pierced Penises and has since become urban legend—even though there has been no proof to back up the tale.

The piercing goes in the end of the urethra and exits through a hole on the underside on the penis, where the glans meets the shaft. Although it may look scary initially, this piercing is easy to sit through and even easier to heal since the tissue being pierced is very thin (but very strong). Aftercare is minimal, as the piercing is flushed out during the day with urine—this is effective in cleaning as it is sterile to one’s own body—and with regular care, the piercing is generally healed in six and eight weeks.

Starting jewelry is usually a 10 gauge ring or circular barbell, though we often recommend an 8 gauge starting size, as it makes for a stronger piercing. This piercing stretches easily, so it’s not uncommon to come across PAs at 4 gauge, 2 gauge, 0 gauge, or even larger. Rings tend to be the best choice for healing, but curved barbells can be worn as well. When wearing circular or curved barbells it’s usually a good idea to wear a larger bead on at least one end, to keep the end from pulling into the urethra, and as with any type of screw-together jewelry, the ends should be checked periodically to make sure they haven’t come loose.

One question people often have before getting this piercing is: how will it affect urination? In many cases, it has little or no effect other than a little drip. For others, it may necessitate holding the jewelry a certain way during urination or sometimes sitting down, but most PA wearers find the piercing doesn’t tend to change their routine significantly.

The Prince Albert piercing can be quite stimulating for the wearer, and it can also be quite stimulating for those on the receiving end, for both the extra length it adds and the added stimulation of the jewelry. If you're thinking about taking the plunge with your first genital piercing, this is a great one to start with. It's easy to get, easy to heal, and feels good for all involved.