I had been intrigued by genital piercing for some time, but it wasn't until I had my nipples done in July 2007, my first body piercing, that I began to seriously consider getting the prince albert. Reading about the experiences of others on BME was tremendously helpful in deciding to go for it; that everyone was so pleased with their piercing convinced me that it would live up to my expectations.
At A Glance Author tpgenus Contact tpgenus@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Judy Studio Next Location Vancouver, British Columbia So on a Saturday morning in April 2008, I decided it was time to have it done so it could be healed before the summer (beach season). There are several well-reviewed piercing studios in Vancouver, but I chose Next! after researching online because it was easiest for me to reach on the bus, had great reviews, and has an up-to-date website with active forums and lots of information. I am happy to say that Next! lived up to their reputation with excellent facilities, great information, and experienced piercers. I would definitely go back, and probably will soon.
I arrived at the studio early in the afternoon with my wife along for support, having eaten a modest lunch. The studio is clean and spacious, offering tattoos and hair cuts up front with small rooms for piercing in the back. We waited a few minutes for the mandatory group aftercare lesson, which included two other girls getting non-genital piercings. It was a thorough talk and mostly reinforced what I already knew regarding cleaning with appropriate soap, salt water soaks, signs of infection, handling, rest, and diet. I was the first of the group to go, so Judy took me and the jewelry I had chosen to the back room to do the prince albert and the rook piercing I was also getting that day. Later I'll describe the only trouble I had with this piercing, which was my initial selection of a 10ga bent barbell (I think the balls were 4mm). I was quite comfortable on the piercing table with plenty of space for my wife to watch.
Judy left the room while I stripped from the waist down and tried to relax; I waved the lavender oil-soaked gauze in front of my nose and breathed deeply while Judy cleaned my cock and balls and prepared the needle, receiving tube, and jewelry. I watched her change gloves several times, everything was sterile, and she was very thorough. The specific process is well described in many other posts so I will only say that I found having the receiving tube pushed up my urethra by far the most uncomfortable part. The actual piercing was quick and easy, and I also found having the jewelry pulled through was also uncomfortable but not particularly painful. I bled a fair amount and had to wipe the blood off my balls and thighs after Judy wrapped my damaged member in gauze and a condom (fortunately, my wife had one in her purse). The bleeding was definitely unsettling, and no matter all I had read about it beforehand, it was still unnerving to see blood oozing out of my favourite part .
By the time I was cleaned up and pulling my jeans on, I was feeling pretty high and enthusiastic about what I had just had done. I had worn a pair of boxer briefs, which was not my habit but was great for the day, and as I sat back down for the next piercing, the previous one was hardly noticeable. Of the piercings I've had done (PA, nipples, and rook), the PA was easily the least painful and quickest healing.
As I mentioned earlier, the only problem I had was my initial jewelry choice, the bent barbell. After getting home and taking it easy throughout the evening, the bleeding slowed and I had only a bit of stinging during urination. That night we walked out to dinner just a block away, but while walking the piercing became quite uncomfortable. It wasn't long before I realised that the barbell had shifted and pulled the top ball through my urethra so that the jewelry was pushed out on the underside of my penis. It was easy enough to push it back through, but the same thing happened again a couple of times later in the evening just walking around the house, and again the next morning. The movement was irritating the fresh piercing, and I found the sensation rather uncomfortable, so on Sunday morning shortly after Next! opened I was back at the studio. Judy was working again and was able to change the jewelry, which caused more bleeding and pain, but I was really only back to having a fresh piercing that healed fine.
My jewelry now is a 10ga, 3/4" circular barbell, and I have been really pleased with both the look and feel. Soon I would like to move up to the 8ga, but I don't believe I will go larger than that. I still really like the look of my original choice, but I don't believe it was right for me. Healing was problem-free; I used the Pears glycerin bar soap from London Drugs to clean in the shower and daily sea salt water soaks. I would say it was about six weeks before it felt completely normal. I masturbated after about four days (a bit painful), and I found sex uncomfortable after six days and less so for about three weeks. Occasionally there is some irritation, aching, and pinching of the piercing from vigorous sex, stress, or wearing tighter underwear. I'm expecting the larger jewelry to be more comfortable and am eager to upsize.
My wife was originally a bit hesitant, but I believe she has grown to enjoy the PA, which is nice. This was and is for me though; I can't say enough about how much I enjoy the look and feel of this piercing. Having researched the PA online and seen others with them at nude beaches, I knew I liked the look, but I've been amazed at how much I like how it looks on me. It makes me feel sexier, and I'm always pleased to see it when I look down. The sensation has been nice during all kinds of sex - it sort of adds a new way to handle and stimulate that is quite enjoyable. Like so many other posters, I would encourage anyone thinking about this piercing to get it! Two years ago I wouldn't have imagined this piercing on me, but I couldn't be happier about it now.