M.A.N. UP or Myths, Anxieties & Nonsense... UnPacked

This is my new series of shorts on male sexuality entitled M.A.N. UP, or Myths, Anxieties & Nonsense... UnPacked.

What's triggered this desire to delve into the complexities surrounding male sexuality now? Well, it's November, and in the UK this means two things for men: Movember and International Men's Day.

Movember (https://uk.movember.com/?home) is a global movement that started in Australia in the early 2000s. It takes place each November to raise awareness and funds for men's health, particularly around prostate and testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Funds are raised through challenges, runs, walks, and—most notably—men sporting moustaches (hence the 'Mo' in Movember). Yes, I'll admit I scratch my head at the origin of the word, but what counts is the enthusiasm men put into growing their facial hair and shining a light on men's issues.

19th November is International Men's Day (https://ukmensday.org.uk/), which celebrates the fundamental value men and boys bring to our world and raises awareness around men's wellbeing and health.

So why not take this opportunity to break myths, quell anxieties, and address the nonsense I hear when talking about men's sexuality—and to do so with a bit of humour as well?

Let's take a look at the well-entrenched myths about male sexuality, or what the renowned author Dr Bernie Zilbergeld calls 'the Fantasy Model of Sex' in his book The New Male Sexuality. This book is the go-to resource for anyone interested in male sexuality—whether you're a penis owner, their partner, or simply curious about the subject. It's a hefty 400-page tome, only available in paperback, and in my case now heavily underlined with margin notes and the occasional "no wayyy!" I sacrificed myself and read the whole thing... so you don't have to.

I'll condense all 400 pages into up to 50 bite-sized topics, aiming to make the subject approachable and fun.

So stay tuned, and the first topic will be: Real men are always ready for sex