Prince Albert piercing

The Prince Albert piercing (PA) is a form of body piercing. The PA pierces the penis from the outside of the frenulum and into the urethra. There is also a reverse PA piercing which enters through the urethra and exits through a hole pierced in the top of the glans.

Related Topics:
Body piercing - Penis - Frenulum - Urethra - Glans

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A nerve bundle runs along the centre of the frenulum. While some piercers may choose to avoid the bundle, others do not. The piercing may be centered if the bearer is circumcised. Otherwise, the piercing will be done to the side because the skin in the area needs to be able to dynamically reposition itself.

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The Prince Albert piercing is sometimes said to be named after Queen Victoria's consort Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. It is alleged that he wore a ring attached to his penis which was then strapped to his thigh, in order to maintain the smooth line of the tight trousers that were in fashion at the time. It is very difficult to ascertain the validity of this story, and the claim seems highly unlikely. No contemporary account of him adopting the practice has come to light, and many suspect that it was a myth invented by Doug Malloy who helped popularize body piercing in the USA. (It has also been suggested that the name actually refers to Queen Victoria's grandson Prince Albert Victor. This theory probably stems from attempts to link Prince Albert Victor with the Jack the Ripper murders).

Related Topics:
Queen Victoria - Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha - Doug Malloy - Prince Albert Victor - Jack the Ripper

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The PA heals more quickly than most other piercings, as it is regularly washed with sterile urine. Some believe that the frequent bathing of the piercing with (sterile) urine contributes to the healing process. Infections of Prince Alberts are relatively rare. Initial healing typically takes from one to two weeks, with full healing taking as much as nine months or more.

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Some men find that the dribble caused by the PA when urinating necessitates sitting down to urinate. This is, as might be suspected, due to the hole made during piercing, as the hole is being stretched due to the weight of the jewellery, as well as caused by urine travelling along the surface of the jewellery. These effects may be exaggerated by different sizes and styles of jewellery. This is usually a problem when using urinals.

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Another common misconception is that the PA is a painful piercing because of the high concentration of nerves in the area. However, nerves are specialized in their function, so the high concentration of nerve cells does not prove a higher sensitivity to pain. Anecdotal reports from people with PAs are that it is not particularly painful, although psychological state, adrenaline, and one's pain threshold all affect this judgment.

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Prince Alberts typically are pierced at either 12 or 10 gauge (2 to 2.6 mm). In the case of a 12 awg (2 mm) piercing, they are usually either immediately stretched, or stretched after partial or full healing. Outside of this initial stage, they are rarely seen below a 10 gauge (2.6 mm). PAs are sometimes stretched to a 0 or 00 gauge, or about 11/32 inch (8 to 9 mm) diameter. Stretching to sizes of 6 to 4 gauge (4 to 5 mm) is probably most common.

Related Topics:
Awg

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Very large gauge or heavy jewellery can cause stretching or tearing of the thin tissue between the urethral opening and the piercing hole creating a meatotomy. In some cases this can be corrected surgically. 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 jewellry is uncomfortable to wear for long periods or interferes with the sexual functioning of the penis.

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Jewellery usually worn in a PA include the curved barbell, captive bead, and the Prince's Wand. Short curved barbells are usually about 3/8" or so length, so one ball sits on the lower side of the penis and the other ball sits at the urethral opening. This type of jewellery prevents discomfort that can come from larger jewellery moving around during daily wear.

Related Topics:
Curved barbell - Captive bead - Prince's Wand

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A question that often arises is whether the piercing has any effect on sexual function. Most PA wearers report no negative effects, and some say that it enhances sexual pleasure for both partners. The ring is smooth, so it is safe to wear a condom without taking out the jewelry.

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The Prince's Wand is a particularly unusual piece of jewellery. 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 the PA piercing and into another threaded hole on the side of the tube. The general shape is similar to a policeman's nightstick. The little 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 jewellery.

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