Ithyphallophobia = fear of having a public erection
Background:
Men with ithyphallophobia are concerned and embarrassed by having a public erection. As a child, they may have been teased or made to feel ashamed by it. Caregivers (parents and other responsible adults) may have rebuked them for having one. Culture and religion are also factors in this condition. The term is a combination of three Greek words: ithy – straight, phallo – penis, and phobia – fear.
Erection is identified as a physiological phenomenon in which the penis becomes firmer, engorged and enlarged. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of endocrine, neural, psychosocial and vascular factors and it is often associated with sexual arousal and/or sexual attraction, although erections are also spontaneous. The angle, direction and shape of an erection varies considerably.
The Fear of Erections:
Too often and for far too long, the “massive multitude of mankind” (humanity) has assigned, associated and equated bare, naked and nude with evil, sex and sin. This rendering against body and clothes freedom caused the condition of “being natural” – without concealment or covering – as synonymous with evil, sex and sin. A very all-too-common and popular misconception has developed in culture is: remove your clothes, bring on the sin. The sin being sex and the result, the entry of evil.
The result? The endless circle of condemnation and judgment against all bare practitioners and other naturists/nudists for simply being themselves. Why all the hate? Because being bare, naked or nude is not right. It is not natural. It is an abomination. It is a disgrace. It is uncivilized.
Having an erection? It is a perversion!
Erectile-Phobia:
Allow me to begin here by explaining that I’m almost positive that “erectile-phobia” isn’t an official word in any language known to humanity. Let me end with the observation that perhaps it should be. Despite the background definitions above, erectile–phobia has a very simple meaning: it is the fear of growing an erection (in public) especially when in a social nudist environment. This is a valid nudecentric concern, particularly for bare practitioners.
Erections are a natural male reaction/response to stimulation, imagined or real. It’s perfectly healthy and normal. There’s absolutely no reason to feel any guilt and/or shame. It happens when we are alone or in a group setting. No matter what others try to “preach” or try to instill in our minds, there are those awkward moments when sometimes a man’s penis really does have a “mind of it’s own” and reacts accordingly.
Unfortunately, erectile-phobia inhibits some same gender loving men from participating in bare practitioner activities. They are afraid of being embarrassed publicly if and when they acquire and/or grow an erection while in the company of others. Let me add here that non-same gender loving men also suffer from this same condition/fear, also. It’s not just some “queer fear!”
With the rapid approach of another summer season and the accompanying series of seasonal body and clothes freedom social events and gatherings (barbeques, cookouts, cocktail parties, sports opportunities, aquatics and outdoor outings, etc.), I want to help calm and erase the anxieties that some men may have with public erections. Everyone, bare practitioner or not, deserves the chance to experience the season clothes free!
First, we’ll examine misconceptions and myths surrounding erections, specifically spontaneous (unplanned) public erections. Second, we’ll recommend several ideas and suggestions as to coping should an unintentional penile reaction occur.
Misconceptions and Myths:
Everyone will know that I’m inexperienced with social nudity. This is a false premise. It is true that those “newbie” (newly) nude or unfamiliar with communal nakedness are prone to erections. However, this is not an exclusive condition. Veteran, or experienced social nudists find themselves with an unexpected erection, too. They grow on all of us, some more often than others. Trust me on this, I know as it happens to me, my spouse, our friends. Regardless of the person, erections occur naturally and randomly, they don’t discriminate based on how many times a man is publicly naked.
People will think that I’m an exhibitionist or trolling for sex. First, one of the last places for an exhibitionist is in a social nudist environment. Exhibitionists are excited and thrilled about exposing themselves and seeing people react to their behaviour. In a socially naked situation, they are around scores of people who are all bare. They simply aren’t noticeable in a group of bare practitioners. In this setting, they are practically invisible. Thus, there is no reward (thrill) for them. If they are so bold and foolish as to expose and stimulate themselves in public, they are ignored, shunned and soon escorted off the property.
Second, bare practitioners are aware of erectile spontaneity and simply ignore the condition. In practically all nude gatherings, we’ve all “been there” (have experienced an unplanned erection) and understand the situation completely. It’s really “no big deal!”
Everybody there will laugh at me or worse. More than likely, totally untrue for all of the reasons highlighted above. Most experienced naturists/nudists – of both genders – are sympathetic and too polite to place attention to a man with an erection. Unless the guy is acting or behaving in an offensive or provocative way, few, if any, will even give the matter a second thought. There are no “erection control police” to embarrass a man for being normal.
I’ll be humiliated. If an arousal occurs at all, and understand that the key word here is “if,” this maybe true. Remember the discomfort will last only as long as the erection lasts. This is usually just a few minutes, at best. Once it disappears, get on with enjoying the company of others who are there with you. Relax and appreciate the freedom of having fun amongst others, naturally.
Suggested Solutions:
There are some options if (again, “if” not “when”) a penile erection feels happening. These recommendations are a few alternatives that my spouse and I have used when in this predicament. Keep in mind these are personal suggestions and not from any particular or official rule book (I doubt that one even exists)!
- If lying on a towel or a chaise on a beach or pool deck, simply roll over onto your stomach until the erection subsides. Common sense, right? Occasionally, a quick dive into the water frequently helps to calm an erection.
- If standing, either physically turn away (if possible, without being rude) or focus on maintaining eye contact directly with those around you. Then, concentrate of the conversation and not the erection. Continue to interact as though nothing is amiss. If this is done when you first realize your penis is becoming erect, it usually prevents a full erection from occurring.
- If you become excited during a sports game (one-on-one or a team) or a social game (board game, cards or charades) once again, remain focused on the activity and not the reaction of your penis. Becoming more involved often decreases the genital response, especially if movement (action) is possible.
- If this takes place during a meal, there is a convenience known as a napkin. Use it to cover your lap while savoring the food and the company. Just knowing that you’re no longer exposed usually causes the penis to relax.
- If swimming, continue the aquatic action or submerge under the surface.
- If appropriate, use self-deprecating humour. Laughter shared with friends changes the mood and eliminates any tension. Remember the proverbial wisdom: “Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone.”
- If all else fails, mentally envision the opposite of the situation. Mentally imagine castration or affliction with an ongoing erectile dysfunction. Those thoughts alone will (hopefully) erase any unexpected natural urge!
Recognizing erectile-phobia for what it is, understanding that it is normal and knowing that others are sympathetic hopefully will eradicate or, at the very least, reduce any concerns or fears about participating in social nudity. Having an “action plan” if an erection happens helps to overcome anxiety and builds confidence. Now, discard those unnecessary clothes and have a bare practitioners summer of natural fun!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: My scholastic year has ended and I have the summer off! I plan to continue posting here but there will be a visual posting for Friday, May 17, 2024. I am having a well-deserved one-day holiday from all obligations! I plan to resume text/visual post entries on Monday, May 20, 2024 and the proposed topic is: “SOS!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 