I'm on my second Prince Albert piercing (not two at a time, but one after the other) and I thought I'd share my story. Perhaps you'll find some items of interest if you're thinking about getting this piercing.
At A Glance Author alan Contact d559900@mac.com When A month ago I won't talk about figuring out the reasons I wanted it and the process of securing permission from "She Who Must Be Obeyed." (That was for all you PBS/BBC fans.)These are things, however, that are important to do before getting up close and personal with Mr. Needle.
Fall of 2006. I had gotten my nipples pierced about two months earlier and I decided it was time to get a PA. Actually, it was way past time; I'm in my mid-40's. Scoured the net and read a lot and headed to my local piercer.
Pain is not much of an issue for me but after the nipple piercing experience (a bit of pain) I was looking forward to a piercing that has been described all over the internet as "very little pain" and "I didn't realize I had already been pierced." Yeah, right. Listen guys, it hurts. Like hell. But for less than a moment and then the pain is completely gone.
There was some very minor discomfort as the ring was inserted but not pain and it was very quick as well. Oh yeah, the receiving tube. Don't sweat it - it's not bad at all. After the procedure, I looked down to see my shiny new 14ga CBR. I bet all you piercing vets just reacted to that. Yep – all my net searches and I didn't know that 10ga is a minimum and 8ga is preferable for a PA; definitely NOT 14ga. But it was shiny, and it was in my penis - I was happy. He taped a couple paper towels around the piercing and sent me on my way. The trip home is less than ten minutes and I was feeling great.
I pulled into the driveway, got out of the car and ... uh oh ... I was pretty sure I hadn't peed my pants, so it must be blood. I high-tailed it to the bathroom making sure I wasn't trailing blood out of the bottom of my pants. I took off my pants. EEEYYAAH!!! GREAT CEASAR'S GHOST!! My pants were full of blood! I had read there might be significant bleeding but I wasn't expecting Nightmare on Elm Street Parts 1 through 18 all wrapped up together. A veritable Niagara Falls of blood. I'm not exaggerating - well, maybe just a bit for dramatic effect; however, blood truly was coming out almost like a weak stream of urine.
I stood in a hot shower and watched blood just stream out of my best friend. I was somewhat shaken. Finally it stopped and I cleaned up. A bunch of blood all over your clothes and the floor and the sink is, without a doubt, gross and the word "clotting" takes on a whole new meaning, trust me. Then I had to pee. Oh no, I remember this is supposed to feel like shards of glass flowing through my penis. Nothing. Felt good as it cleaned out some residual blood and clots. That was it for blood; not another drop. Never a moment of discomfort peeing.
After about 6 weeks later I had to remove the ring (and my nipple bars a few months later - rats) for some medical procedures. I was happy to do it with the PA; relieved even. For 6 long weeks that thing hurt all day every day. Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, commando, nothing worked. Why? Too small a gauge? It was, but did that make it the source of pain? Dunno. Bad karma? Me? Nah, I'm a great guy. Bad aftercare? Absolutely not; I was very faithful with appropriate cleaning and salt water soaks. Bad experience? You bet. Didn't even get to try the thing out 'cause it always hurt so bad. Not even a test drive. Good riddance.
Lessons learned: 1. Ask as many questions as you want to. Most piercers are indeed professionals and appreciate you giving them a feel for who you are, your personality, and how you'd like the event to go. If they don't – I bet there's another piercer within 15 – 20 miles. It'll be worth the gas. 2. Be specific about what you want. They're not embarrassed, and neither should you be. If you plan to stretch, tell them. If you think it might get some rough play, say so. 3. Get a big enough gauge! 10ga minimum. 4. Get a decent dressing put on the wound and get a glove taped securely over your junk. Bring one or two maxi-pads with you and stuff 'em in your underwear just in case. Will they laugh at you after you leave, or even before? Maybe. Who gives a crap? Besides, nothing compares to the derision you'll endure at home as you go into "that cabinet" in the bathroom looking for pads – for you. 5. It's NOT supposed to hurt very long. Diminishing soreness for a few days, but not too much. Call your piercer if you have continued pain! 6. When they say expect a lot of blood, what they mean to say is: expect a LOT OF BLOOD. Nuff said. If you turn out not to have so much blood, congratulations, count your blessings. 7. You don't have to lose your piercings just because some doc who doesn't understand or like them says so. You can plan ahead with some PFTE bars to retain your holes. 8. I was surprised at how quickly those suckers closed up after the jewelry was out. They were reasonably "young" and were history in a day.
Fast forward to the second week of January 2008. Time to drop trou for some more steel. I won't give you the long story. Here's the shorter version. I looked until I found a piercer that gave me a good vibe – and respect. This gal took 10 – 15 minutes just to describe the minutia of her sterilization and cleanliness procedures. I felt like I knew what to look for and I was comfortable. And I trusted this woman. I had already had her re-pierce my nipples. She's good. I lay back thinking this will be the time it will be a painless procedure. Listen guys, it hurts. Like hell. But once again, for such a short time as to not really matter. By the time you can get started swearing, it doesn't hurt anymore. Got a larger gauge – 10ga.
She wrapped my friend up like he was gold in Fort Knox. Maybe she giggled as I shoved the maxi-pads down my shorts, but I don't think so. We had already talked about me using them. Actually she provided one as well. She does for all of her PA clients. All the blood remained safely in the dressing. This time it was not nearly so dramatic in the gore department. But it lasted longer and I spotted fairly continually for three or four days. Then it stopped. No pain. A little bite when I clean it. A little bite when I shift how I'm seated. But no pain. It feels like it's healing well. Peeing? Ouch! Not shards of glass but pretty uncomfortable until day three.
All in all, a great experience so far. By the way, the whole peeing on your pants and shoes thing? My opinion – it depends on your jewelry. The spray is from the urine stream following the curve of the ring, not from it spraying out of all the holes at the end of your penis. I got a circular barbell (sometimes called a horseshoe) and when I get ready to go, I rotate it so there is just one of the balls at the exit from my urethra. I pee just fine. My shoes are fine. If you elect to get a CBR or such, experiment with twisting your penis upside down. Now, mind you, I'm talking about using a urinal. Standing at a toilet takes a little more finesse. I think there are probably only a few men that are doomed to pee sitting down forever. However, a larger gauge may affect that as well. I don't know; no experience there. I only plan to go to a 6ga and stop. Or maybe a 4ga, but that's definitely it. (Cue the creepy music as I flash back 11 years ... "I'm only going to get one tattoo – just one; that's all I need, that's all I want." Ha! Never say never, eh?) But really, 2 gauge – tops.
More lessons learned: 1. This is my experience, not yours. Even my own two experiences were very different. You can't predict your own experience, but you can read a lot, ask questions, and know what the range of normal experience can be. Every man is different. 2a. If you care at all about your health; if you think a sterile field to be pierced in is important – READ THIS. Back in the day I worked with ultra clean areas so I probably drive piercers crazy with my questions and my comments. However, I do know what I'm talking about. You're looking for somewhere where they care about your health, their health, and their reputation. You're gonna have a very hard time finding someplace that is doctor's office clean – at least outside of large cities. You're most likely going to end up in the last booth in a tattoo shop behind a movable screen. Or perhaps in a back room that will look and feel like a back room. Frankly, you're probably going to go with "good enough" and watch out for yourself. Just make sure it really is "good enough." 2b. The procedures and preparation they go through are for the protection of both of you. That's a good thing. But you should also use your eyes as if you're the only one watching out for your safety. Don't let your nervousness or desire to at least appear chill make you docile and uninvolved. For example? Look at the tray: sterilized one-use needle, one-use pen for marking, sterilized jewelry, sterilized forceps, one-use paper on the tray and your chair, hand washing, glove changing, right? A piercer may go through three pairs of gloves getting ready for the big moment. OK, so the receiving tube is lubed and in, spot found, needle poised in gloved hands, gloved hands that have handled the non-business end of the needle that's about to be pushed all the way through your wound with the jewelry. Oh, hey, glance over at the box of gloves. What are those small words on the box? You can almost read them. Oh yes, "non-sterile." So, how long has that box of gloves been open and sitting out on the counter? Where were they packed? Packed by machine or human hands? Sorted by human hands? Hands wearing non-sterile gloves? Etc. etc.; you get the idea. You can do what you want, but I asked my piercer to don her gloves and then use a hand sanitizer on the outside of the gloves. And you know what? She didn't blink an eye, smiled, and said, "Of course, no problem." I told you she was good.
So now I have a viable PA. It's great; worth the time, trouble, and expense. ... ... Right? Well, since my first hole practically snap shut as I removed the ring, I'm only now beginning to really consider the potential permanence of the hole. Seemed like a benefit not too long ago. Jewelry out when I want. Medical procedures? Who cares; I'll replace the jewelry when it's convenient. But as I've continued to read the experiences of other men, I've begun to notice guys regretting the permanent hole; particularly those who find that the hole seems to stretch on its own. So now I've begun to start guessing: how long at what gauge equals permanence? Stretch and let it shrink? Does it really matter that much anyhow? Shouldn't be such a big deal to cover the hole with your finger when you go to pee, right?
I'd appreciate e-mails from men (or their spouses/partners) with thoughts on this topic. If I get enough responses, I'll publish a summary here in the experiences section. (If BME OK's it, that is.)
Alan d559900@mac.com