In this article:
Basics | History | Placement | Procedure | Sizing | Jewelry | Aftercare | Healing Time | Variations | Urination | Sex | Circumcision Status | Stretching
Basics
Prince Albert piercing, also known as PA piercing, is the most popular male genital piercing in the world, and the most common genital piercing in general. It produces a very striking effect: the jewelry enters though the pee hole and exits on the underside of the penis. Prince Albert piercing is also a functional piercing, which means that it can enhance sexual pleasure for both the wearer and his partners.
PA piercing is great because it offers numerous benefits, and it is not particularly difficult to perform. In fact, it is one of the easiest genital piercings to get. This is one of the reasons why PA piercings are so popular. Even those who are scared of excessive pain and extreme piercings can get a Prince Albert piercing.
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History
There are many myths about the history of Prince Albert piercing, but the truth is that the origin of this piercing is unknown. What we know is that the piercing is named after real-life Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Rumor has it that Prince Albert had such a piercing on his penis, but there are no reliable sources that would confirm this story.
Most likely, Prince Albert did not wear a PA. However, there are other types of jewelry around the penis popular in those days. Many gentlemen of the time opted for popular “dressing rings”, which were special rings designed to pull a penis to the right or left and prevent a creation of an unsightly bulge in tight pants. These “dressing rings” are well-documented as a phenomenon, and it is possible that Prince Albert himself wore one of those. However, there is no way to confirm this story.
What we know is that PA piercing was named after Prince Albert (rightfully or not), and that it gained popularity in late 20th century. At first, it was embraced by members of specific subcultural groups, such as gay men. However, PA piercing soon gained a widespread popularity. It became one of the most popular piercings in the beginning of the 21st century. Today, a popular PA piercing has many variants and different placements to choose (see below.)
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Placement
Prince Albert piercing has a standard placement: this piercing enters through the pee hole and exits on the underside of the penis head. This way, the jewelry, when inserted, protrudes out of the pee hole for a very striking effect. The fact that PA piercing uses pee hole means that part of the piercing is naturally there. The urethra is a natural canal in the body, and it exits at the pee hole. Any jewelry inserted through this hole will sit comfortably without having to make a special hole with a needle. It means that the only hole created for a Prince Albert piercing is the one on the underside of the penis.
Luckily, the skin and tissue are very thin at this spot. While sensitive, the underside of the penis is relatively easy to pierce. The procedure is quick and not as painful as it may seem. Once the jewelry is inserted, the top of the jewelry will protrude from the pee hole and sit on top of the penis, while the other side of the jewelry will exit on the underside of the penis.
Keep in mind that the above placement refers only to regular (standard) Prince Albert piercing and not its variants. Different types (variants) of PA piercing may have a different placement (see below.) Also, keep in mind that the placement itself will depend on the man’s anatomy and, to a lesser degree, preferences.
For example, a man’s circumcision status will determine the placement of a PA piercing (see below.) A circumcised man can get a centrally-positioned PA piercing, while an uncircumcised man has to get a PA piercing slightly moved at a side, to allow for foreskin to be pulled over the penis head.
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Procedure
As noted above, Prince Albert piercing is relatively quick and easy to perform, but only by a knowledgeable piercer. If you want to get a PA piercing, it is crucial to consult a reliable piercer who specializes in genital piercing. No general piercer, no matter how experienced, is a good choice for Prince Albert piercing. Keep in mind that genital piercings require different skills so you need to seek a piercer who has experience performing PA piercings.
It is also important to choose a piercer you trust and feel comfortable with. Even the most experienced piercer doesn’t mean much if you cannot be relaxed during the procedure. This is why it’s useful to take your time to research the best genital piercers in your area. Don’t be afraid to travel to another city to meet a genital piercer you like – it will be worth it.
For an experienced genital piercer, Prince Albert piercing should not be a complex procedure. It is a relatively quick procedure to do, and this piercing is generally not regarded as an extreme piercing. In fact, it is one of the easiest genital piercings you can get.
Since PA piercing uses a natural hole (urethra) as one of the piercing holes, it means that all that has to be pierced is the exit hole on the underside of the penis. It also makes PA piercing less painful than it may look. However, keep in mind that it is a genital piercing and that it’s done on a sensitive body part so it will be painful to a degree.
Before the piercing procedure, your piercer will clean the area with an antiseptic. The next step will be to mark the exact spot to be pierced. They will probably give you a mirror to approve of the placement. Your piercer should tell you why a specific placement works best for you. Once you both agree to the placement, they will perform the piercing with a special piercing needle.
Keep in mind that you do not have to be erect for the piercing process. It is a myth: a good piercer will know how to account for erection without you actually achieving one before the procedure.
Most commonly, a Prince Albert piercing is done from the underside to the top, which means that, technically, the underside of the penis is the entrance hole and the natural pee hole is the exit hole. The piercer will insert the needle through the marked spot on the underside of the penis and move it toward the head. Once inserted, the piercing needle will quickly go through the urethra. This is the most painful moment for getting a PA piercing, when the needle punctures the urethra. Luckily, it lasts only a moment or two, and experienced piercers know how to do it swiftly. But you need to be prepared for an intense moment of pain.
If this sounds too scary, you may ask for a topical numbing cream. Some piercers will use these creams and will apply them prior to performing a piercing. However, many piercers prefer to work without a numbing cream, mainly for safety. You need to be able to feel what is going on and to signal your piercer if something is wrong. With a numbed area, that might not be possible. If you are positive you want a numbing cream, make sure to ask your piercer whether they use numbing agents or not. Never apply a numbing cream on your own and without knowledge of your piercer! Doing so is very dangerous and can cause numerous consequences.
The good news is that once the urethra is punctured, the pain will become less intense, since urethra is an existing canal in the body. Once this is performed, the piercer will insert your starter jewelry and the procedure is over.
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Sizing
Prince Albert piercing sizing depends on many factors, such as your individual anatomy, preferences and your piercer’s approach to PA. Generally speaking, the size of your PA piercing can refer both to the thickness (gauge) of the needle you are pierced with, which determines the gauge of jewelry you will need. Another aspect of sizing is the length of a barbell or a diameter of a ring you can wear as jewelry.
Typically, Prince Albert piercings are done at 8 gauge or 10 gauge, or, rarer, 12 gauge. Many piercers recommend 10 gauge as the smallest for this type of piercing. Making a PA piercing with a smaller (thinner) needle is dangerous, because it will result in a jewelry that is too thin. Such a thin jewelry can cause a “cheese cutter” effect, in which the jewelry cuts through the tissue of the penis because it’s too thin. You want to avoid this at all costs. This is why PA piercings are not done at small gauges, such as 14 gauge or 16 gauge, and this is one of the reasons why many PA piercings are stretched to larger gauges (see below.)
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Jewelry
There are several popular jewelry styles for Prince Albert piercing. Most of these jewelry types are not made for PA piercing only. These are popular jewelry types such as rings, particularly Captive Bead Rings, curved barbells and circular barbells.
However, PA jewelry has to be safe for genital use, so not all pieces of above-mentioned jewelry will do. In order to maintain safety and to prevent injuries and discomfort, your PA jewelry has to be smooth. Only smooth jewelry pieces will sit comfortably and will not pose a danger during everyday wear or during sex.
Another thing to keep in mind are materials. In order to stay safe, it is important to use jewelry only made of safe materials that can be used on genitalia. Jewelry made of titanium and high-quality Surgical Steel is safe for Prince Albert piercings. You can also use nickel-free gold, although gold jewelry is only recommended for well-established and fully healed PA piercings.
Many times, all PA jewelry is referred to as “PA rings” or “Prince Albert piercing rings”, but rings are just one jewelry style. The most common PA rings are smooth, solid rings that can sit comfortably inside of the piercing hole. Depending on the width (diameter) of your PA hole, you can wear more massive PA rings, but these are generally available only for stretched Prince Albert piercings (see below.)
Curved barbells are other popular styles ideal for both the new and healed Prince Albert piercings. Another common style is a circular barbell.
Keep in mind that initial PA jewelry might be different than Prince Albert jewelry for well-established piercings. Many piercers recommend curved barbells as initial PA jewelry, or, alternatively, a circular barbell. It is best to stay away from PA rings until your piercing is healed. However, this depends on many factors. Some people might be able to wear PA rings straight away, as their initial jewelry. The decision is on the piercer and will depend on your individual circumstances.
The main reason why curved barbells are recommended is urination during healing time. The urine will make healing quicker but be prepared for your penis to burn during urination. Curved barbells make it a bit easier to urinate while you are adjusting to your PA piercing. This jewelry style is also more comfortable for beginners than the other styles. However, as noted above, you might end up with a different initial jewelry type.
Make sure to keep your initial jewelry for at least 6 weeks, and preferably longer. Many piercers recommend to keep the initial jewelry for at least 3 months, if not even 6 months. This will ensure that your piercing heals properly. Remember, the size of initial jewelry will probably be bigger than regular jewelry because it accounts for swelling. In case you need to change your jewelry before this time, make sure to go to your piercer. They will know how to change your jewelry for you: do not attempt to change jewelry before your piercing is fully healed.
Keep in mind that there is a special jewelry style made for PA piercings alone: Prince’s Wand. A Prince’s Wand is a jewelry piece that consists of a tube that is inserted into the urethra. These jewelry pieces typically include an arm (a shorter tube) perpendicular to the main one. This smaller tube goes inside of the PA hole on the underside of the penis. There are other designs of Prince’s Wands that may include another arm (that goes up to the top of the penis – this is a variant reserved for a Reverse Prince Albert piercing). Other Prince Wand designs include cock rings or glans rings to enhance sensations during use.
A Prince’s Wand is actually a jewelry piece that doubles as a sex toy. This is an ideal arrangement for those who like urethral stimulation. The urethra is sensitive and inserting special toys through the pee hole can be very erotic and pleasurable. It can feel like stimulating your penis from the inside out! While this is definitely not an activity for everyone, it is important to understand that Prince’s Wands can satisfy you in that way, too – in case you like a bit of urethral stimulation.
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Aftercare
It is crucial to perform adequate aftercare for your new PA piercing. This will ensure your satisfaction and it will prevent injuries and other problems associated with body piercings. Your piercer should give you a list of things to do after getting your PA piercing done. Make sure to stick to this list and perform adequate aftercare regularly.
Right after getting your piercing done, expect some dull pain in your penis. It should not be as intense as the pain during procedure, but it may bother you. If this happens, you may get a painkiller, but stay away from aspirin, since it can cause more bleeding. This is also time where you should monitor how your penis feels. Any sharp, intense pain after the procedure is a warning sign that you should not ignore.
The basic aftercare means to clean your PA piercing regularly, a few times per day. Make sure to use an adequate cleaner. A mild saline solution works best for piercing aftercare. Never use soaps or harsh chemicals on your piercing! You may use a special cleaner for piercings, but make sure that it is safe for genital use. If in doubt, use a saline solution, but make sure that it’s not too strong.
Clean your piercing properly with a saline solution twice per day. Some people feel that cleaning three times per day is optimal, so you may try that, too. However, do not clean you PA piercing more than that. Cleaning too often can lead to overcleaning, which can lead to numerous problems.
When the penis is clean, make sure to dry it properly. You should not let your new Prince Albert piercing be moist for too long, since it can lead to problems.
It is crucial to perform such aftercare during first 6 weeks after getting your piercing done. After that, you may, if all seems good, to clean once per day for a few weeks and see how your new PA piercing behaves.
Another aspect of Prince Albert piercing aftercare is to avoid sexual activities during the initial healing time. It may be tempting to try sex or masturbation with your new piercing, but you have to be patient. The exact abstinence time will depend on circumstances, but it is generally advisable to wait for at least a month before you resume sexual activities. Once you start having sex with your PA piercing, make sure to use a condom, even with a long-term partner. Keep in mind that your penis is still healing and might be hurt. A condom will keep both you and your partner safe during initial sexual encounters with a new PA piercing. It is also advisable to clean your penis with a saline solution after sex during healing time, even if you use protection.
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Healing Time
Prince Albert healing time will depend on many factors, such as you individual anatomy, the size you are pierced with, the type of jewelry, the amount of sexual activity, and some other factors. Generally speaking, a PA piercing can heal in about a month, but it typically takes several months for it to heal properly. For some people, the healing time will be around 6 months.
Keep in mind that your Prince Albert piercing will probably appear healed after several weeks. However, the fistula is still forming, and healing and the healing time is not over. Keep this in mind when it comes to sexual activities and changing jewelry.
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Variations
There are several common variations of a Prince Albert piercing. Keep in mind that some of these variations are generally regarded as different piercings altogether. These may be a good alternative for those looking for something special instead of a regular PA.
The most common variations of Prince Albert piercing are:
Standard (Regular) PA: By far the most common variation. This is the standard placement for a Prince Albert piercing. Most of the things described here will refer to a standard PA piercing.
Reverse PA:
An alternative to regular PA that many people prefer. Instead of a standard placement, a Reverse Prince Albert piercing enters the pee hole and exits on the top of the penis instead on the underside. The name of this piercing is clear: it goes in the opposite direction. A Reverse PA can be very striking, but keep in mind that this is generally a much more painful piercing. These is more tissue to pierce on the top of the penis, so it produces a longer piercings hole.
Deep PA: This variant is similar to standard PA, but the piercing is longer. Instead of the exit hole being on the underside of the penis head, it is located lower, on the shaft. This produces a much longer piercing that requires longer jewelry pieces to accommodate it.
Not a variant of a Prince Albert piercing, but it shares some similarities: Apadravya. This is a vertical penis piercing. It goes through the penis head from top to bottom. This piercing actually combines a standard PA and a Reverse PA into one piercing. It can be very sexually stimulating for a female partner.
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Urination
One of the first things many men ask about a Prince Albert piercing is: will I be able to urinate standing up? The truth is that it depends. Many people continue to urinate standing up without a problem, but some adjustment is necessary to prevent slippage. Others find it much more relaxing and comfortable to simply sit down for urination.
It is not possible to tell for sure whether you’ll be able to urinate standing up after getting your PA done. It is definitely possible, but there may be spillage and you will probably find that it is not easy to control the flow of urine. This is particularly common in early stages of healing.
Chances are that you will need to develop a new way of holding your penis during urination. Some trial and error is typically needed, but many men claim to be able to urinate while standing up. Some men learn to twist their penis in a specific direction, while others hold their penis by pressing on the piercing hole to prevent slippage.
You will develop your own style once your PA piercing heals. Remember, many men do manage to continue urinating while standing up. However, this is not always possible, nor practical. You have to be prepared for a possibility to urinate while sitting down, at least in some circumstances (public toilets, etc.)
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Sex
Prince Albert piercing changes the experience of sex, and it typically changes it for the better. Remember: this is a functional piercing, which means that it can stimulate both the wearer and his partner during sex.
However, not all people react in the same way to a PA piercing. Some men might find it uncomfortable during sex, and the same goes for their partners. You have to be prepared for a possibility that your Prince Albert might not work exactly how you want it to.
Luckily, there are ways to practice and to make the experience more enjoyable. If you or your partner find sex with a PA jewelry uncomfortable, try a different jewelry style. Stretching your PA piercing and getting a bigger jewelry piece might actually help, because thicker jewelry tends to be smoother.
Many people highly enjoy sex with a partner who has a PA piercing. Depending on the placement and sexual position, it can stimulate a woman’s G spot and it can also be pleasurable during anal sex.
It is important to talk to your partner and see what they may or may not like. There might be only specific positions that work for your partner and not the other positions. As usual, experiment, communicate and chances are that you will make your PA piercing work for you.
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Circumcision Status
Do you have to be circumcised to get a PA piercing? The short answer is: no. Both circumcised and uncircumcised men can enjoy a Prince Albert piercing. However, the placement may be a bit different depending on the circumcision status.
Circumcised men will typically get a PA piercing positioned centrally. Uncircumcised men will typically get a PA piercing that is to the side. A side placement will be made to accommodate the foreskin. You should be able to put your foreskin over your penis head while wearing your PA jewelry.
However, keep in mind that your ability to get a PA piercing if you are uncircumcised will depend on your individual anatomy. Some men have a very tight foreskin that might not be able to accommodate Prince Albert jewelry. In other words, not all uncircumcised men will be able to get a Prince Albert piercing.
If you are uncircumcised and interested in this piercing type, make sure to book a consultation with an experienced genital piercer. They can examine you and let you know if it’s possible for you to get a PA piercing and, if yes, what kind of a placement would be the best for your anatomy.
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Stretching
It is relatively easy to stretch your PA piercing, and many men decide to do this. In fact, Prince Albert piercing is one of the most popular piercings to stretch. Just like stretched lobes, it is possible to stretch your PA piercing.
Typically, a man will start with a 10 gauge or 8 gauge PA piercing that can be stretched later. Stretching can be done for various reasons, but sexual satisfaction is the main reason. Larger piercing hole means thicker jewelry, which also means more stimulation. Larger jewelry pieces are massive and heavier, and they can pull nicely on the penis head. This created pleasurable sensations for the wearer. At the same time, this bigger jewelry can nicely hit all the sweet spots during sex for a man’s sexual partner.
If you want to stretch your PA piercing, make sure to wait until it’s fully healed. It is absolutely necessary to wait because this is the only way to prevent injuries. Once you stretch to a larger size, you need to remain at that size for some time to allow your body to recover. It is best to wait at least 6 weeks before attempting another stretching. Many people decide to wait for longer. The longer you wait, the better chance is that your stretching will be problem-free.
It is easiest to stretch with a piercing taper. These tapers are specially designed to make stretching easy and without injuries. Make sure to find a taper that can accommodate a PA piercing. You stretch by simply inserting the thinner side of the taper inside of the piercing hole and pushing it slowly through the piercing hole until it exits at the thicker end. At that point, insert the thicker jewelry into your Prince Albert piercing.
For a successful stretching, it is important that the thinner side of the taper is at your current gauge and the thicker one is one size larger. Your new jewelry should also be one size larger. Never try to jump more than one gauge at a time: doing that can cause injuries and other problems that you sure want to avoid.
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Steve “Holes” Armstong is a staff writer and researcher for TheChainGang. He is a long-term piercing enthusiast who is never tired of discovering new body modifications. In addition to this, he also likes to spend his time experimenting with new ways to find pleasure, which makes him a perfect person to discuss unusual adult toys. He says: “I love piercings and I can’t get enough of them. There is something special about body modifications and altering your looks… Even if it’s just below the belt! I am happy to share my knowledge of extreme piercings and lesser-known sex toys, made for both men and women”. In addition to writing, Steve is also a researcher, always on a lookout for new and exciting things. |