Prince Albert (PA) is a genital piercing that goes through the urethra and exits on the underside of the glans (the head of the penis). It’s usually done with a curved barbell or a circular barbell once everything heals. Sound intense? It kind of is, but it’s also one of the fastest-healing and most popular male genital piercings on the planet for a reason.
Most professional piercers can knock it out in under ten seconds. Yeah, ten seconds. The healing time? Typically 4–8 weeks for initial healing, and most guys are back to full sexual activity (with condoms, obviously) within a month if they baby it properly.
Prince Albert Piercing Name Origin: Royal Rumor or Urban Legend?
Here’s the part everyone wants to know: did Prince Albert Victor (Queen Victoria’s grandson) actually have one?
Short answer: probably not.
The story goes that he got the piercing to tame a persistent erection under those skin-tight trousers of the Victorian era, or sometimes that it held the foreskin back, or even that it attached to a chain on his leg. Romantic, right? Except historians have never found a single piece of evidence—letters, diaries, medical records, nothing. The rumor seems to have started in the 1970s when Doug Malloy (a pioneer of modern body piercing) published a pamphlet filled with juicy but completely made-up “historical” piercing stories to make the practice sound classy and ancient.
One guy I interviewed last year laughed and said: “If Queen Victoria knew her grandson’s name was permanently attached to a dick piercing, she’d have died all over again.”
So the name stuck because it sounds fancy and mysterious. That’s it. No royal jewelry required.
Why Do Guys Actually Get a Prince Albert Piercing in 2025?
Look, aesthetics are rarely the main driver. Most men who walk into a shop asking for a PA are thinking about one (or both) of these:
- Intense sexual stimulation for both partners
- The thrill and the “I did that” badge of honor
The piercing adds direct pressure to the underside of the head during sex, and the jewelry stimulates the partner in ways fingers or toys usually can’t replicate. One anonymous tweet that went semi-viral last month summed it up perfectly:
“Got the PA six months ago. My girlfriend literally cried happy tears the first time we had sex after it healed. 10/10 do recommend.”
That’s the kind of real-world feedback you’ll see all over private Discord groups and piercing forums in 2025.
The Procedure: What Really Happens When You Lie Back on the Table
Let’s not sugarcoat it—you’re letting someone put a needle through your urethra. But here’s the step-by-step so you know exactly what to expect:
- You’ll fill out paperwork and chat with the piercer (good shops do a thorough consultation).
- You lie back, legs in stirrups or just spread comfortably.
- They clean everything twice with surgical scrub.
- A receiving tube gets inserted a couple inches into the urethra (this part feels weird, not painful).
- The needle follows the tube straight through—most guys say it’s a sharp 8/10 for half a second, then it’s over.
- Jewelry goes in, you sit up, and you’re usually walking out in 15 minutes.
Numbing? Some shops offer a dental-style block now in 2025, but many experienced clients skip it because it adds time and the pain is so brief anyway.
Healing a Prince Albert Piercing: The Real Timeline in 2025
Week 1–2: Peeing stings like hell the first 48 hours, then it’s mostly just a weird tingle. You’ll dilute your urine with water in a cup or the shower trick for the first few days (pro move).
Week 3–6: Initial healing. No sex, no masturbation with the jewelry in, and definitely condoms if you cheat (you shouldn’t). Daily saline soaks or sprays—most people use NeilMed piercing aftercare now.
Month 2–4: Downsizing time. You go from a longer “healing” bar to a snug one. This is when most guys say everything starts feeling normal.
Full maturation: 6–12 months. That’s when you can go ring-flipping wild if you want.
Complications in 2025 are rare if you pick an APP or UKAPP member studio. The biggest risk is still peeing on your own shoes the first week because the stream splits—bring dark jeans.
Jewelry Options: From Basic to “Whoa, That’s Gorgeous”
Standard starter: 10g or 8g surgical steel curved barbell. Boring but functional.
Once healed, the sky’s the limit:
- Titanium circular barbells (lightweight, hypoallergenic, 2025’s gold standard)
- Custom gold pieces—14k and 18k are finally affordable thanks to new implant-grade refineries
- Gemmed ends that sit right under the tip (yes, they sparkle when you’re naked)
- “Secret” captive bead rings that only show when you’re hard
Pro tip: Anatometal and Industrial Strength still dominate the high-end market. If someone tries to sell you mystery-metal AliExpress junk, run.
Pros and Cons: No BS Edition
Pros
- Mind-blowing sex for most couples
- Heals faster than almost any other genital piercing
- Easy to hide under clothes (zero visible bumps in sweatpants)
- Reversible—take it out and it mostly closes
Cons
- First week of peeing is legitimately rough
- You have to be okay with blood in the toilet for a few days
- Some partners hate the feeling (rare, but happens)
- Airport security occasionally asks you to step aside (true story from three different guys this year)
Myths That Just Won’t Die in 2025
“It grows bigger” → No.
“It ruins continence” → Also no.
“You can’t pee straight ever again” → Only temporarily, and a longer barbell fixes 99% of spray issues.
Christina Piercing Comparison: Why People Sometimes Confuse the Two
Quick clarification because Google still mixes them up: a Christina piercing is a female vertical clit hood surface piercing. Completely different anatomy, completely different experience. We’re seeing a surge in Christina piercing jewelry searches lately because aesthetic genital piercings for women are trending hard on TikTok, but that’s another article.
As for Christina piercing photo reveal trends—yeah, the “after” photos with dainty curved barbells and gem ends are all over private Instagram stories right now. Totally different vibe from a PA, but the confusion persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How bad does a Prince Albert piercing really hurt on a scale of 1–10?
A: Most guys say 7–9 for literally one second, then pressure. Way less sustained pain than a nipple or industrial.
Q: Can you still have unprotected sex after it heals?
A: Yes, but many couples keep using condoms anyway because the jewelry can cause micro-tears if you go too hard. Your call.
Q: Will it set off metal detectors every time?
A: Small titanium pieces usually don’t. Bigger steel or gold ones sometimes do. TSA agents have seen it all—private pat-down, you’re on your way.
Q: Does size matter for getting a PA?
A: Not really. Piercers do them on everything from average to very small anatomy. The only absolute deal-breaker is severe hypospadias or certain medical conditions.
Final Thoughts
If you’re curious, confident, and pick a reputable piercer, the overwhelming majority of guys I’ve talked to say they’d do it again in a heartbeat. The boost in bedroom confidence alone seems to be life-changing for a lot of them.
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John Authers is a seasoned and respected writer whose work reflects the tone, clarity, and emotional intelligence that readers value in 2025. His writing blends deep insight with a natural, human voice—making complex ideas feel relatable and engaging. Every piece he crafts feels thoughtful, original, and genuinely worth reading.