Men are being urged not to put toothpaste on their penises

Men are being warned not to apply toothpaste to their penises.

While this may seem like obvious advice, applying the dental product to male genitals has become something of a viral trend online lately.

It all started when one man – Jose Barber – claimed in a YouTube video that applying toothpaste to the penis is a method to stave off premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.

The footage has garnered over one million views at the time of publication.

READ MORE: Do men really need special penis cleaners?

The practice has recently been seen trending on both Twitter and Reddit. On the latter, a thread urges: “Please do not use toothpaste on your penis”.

James O’Loan, a pharmacist at Doctor 4 U, has called the trend “worrying” and warned of the associated dangers in an interview with Mail Online.

He tells Yahoo UK: “I’d urge anyone thinking of trying this rather worrying ‘toothpaste’ technique to cease and desist – because it won’t do anything at all to combat premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, despite the claims being made in these videos.

“The peppermint oils and other chemicals in toothpaste, including bleaching agents, can be extremely irritating to sensitive skin, by putting it on your genitals you actually risk a mild burn, as well as blisters and scarring. And toothpaste should in no way be used as a lubricant, either,” he adds.

This is yet another bizarre internet trend involving genitalia, which follows in the trend of women apparently putting garlic in their vaginas and also applying chocolate to their private parts.

How to cope with sexual performance issues

Performance issues, including premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, can cause problems during sexual intercourse.

However, there are much safer (and more effective) ways to deal with such problems other than putting toothpaste on your penis.

“Premature ejaculation can be embarrassing, but it’s not usually something to worry about if it is affecting quality of life,” says O’Loan.

“Condoms, numbing sprays, breathing techniques, and medication such as priligy can help prolong sex.”

There are also a number of treatments available for erectile dysfunction, he adds, including “medication such as Viagra, different types of therapy can be successful, and even surgery.”

For all of the above treatments, you should always talk to a medical professional first, he warns.

For further information on male sexual performance issues, visit the NHS website.