Skip to content

Tag: average penis

Why is My Penis Small, or is it?

Why is My Penis Small, or is it?

Medically reviewed by James Keith Fisher, MD on February 26, 2019 — Written by Eleesha Lockett, MS

This article is a repost which originally appeared on HealthLine

Edited for content

When Penises Are Small

How do we decide what’s small?

What’s too small? What’s too big? Research suggests that many men desire a bigger penis regardless of whether they think that their penis size is average or not. And, some men believe they have a small penis when it’s actually within the average range.

This article will look at the science behind the average penis size, how to measure your penis, and the conditions that can cause a penis to be or seem smaller than usual.

What’s average?

The average length of a penis is roughly 3.6 inches flaccid and 5.2 inches erect. But how did this become the number?

Research on penis size

There have been several studies over the years that have attempted to give a definite number for the average penis size.

One smaller 2014 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine looked at the average penis size in 1,661 men. The researchers found that the average erect penis length and circumference of participants was 5.6 inches (14.15 centimeters) and 4.8 in. (12.23 cm), respectively.

Another larger study from 2014 compiled data from over 15,000 men to determine average size. In this study, length and circumference measurements were taken both flaccid and erect. The results determined the average penis length to be 3.6 in. (9.16 cm) while flaccid and 5.2 in. (13.12 cm) while erect. In addition, the average penis circumference was measured as 3.7 in. (9.31 cm) while flaccid and 4.6 in. (11.66 cm) while erect.

It’s important to note that the first study used self-reported measurements, while the second study used measurements taken by a health professional. Both studies have their limitations, but the numbers reported are consistent with similar studies on average penis size.

Perspective

Keep in mind that sizes of “small” and “large” are comparative and that averaging penis size is based on what’s known. Known measurements, even a substantial study where more than 15,000 men were measured, are based on groups. The United Nations reported the world’s male population to be at about 3.8 billion in 2017. That means 15,000 men is only about 0.0004 percent of the world’s male population.

Collectively, average measurements from similar studies set a good average and are important to have, but there’s always more to know.

How to measure your penis

If you’re curious about how to measure the size of your penis, here’s a correct way to get an accurate measurement:

  1. You will need to have either a tape measure or ruler on hand.
  2. To measure the length, start your measurement at the base of the penis, where the penis meets the pubic bone.
  3. Run the ruler or tape measure along the full length of the penis from the base to the tip (glans). Do not measure excess foreskin length.
  4. To measure the girth, wrap a flexible tape measure around the shaft of the penis at the base or around the midpoint between the base and head.
  5. If you are measuring your penis flaccid, be careful not to pull on or stretch it as this can potentially cause injury.

When do penises grow?

Research suggests that there are different periods of penis growth throughout the life cycle. In one study, researchers tracked penis size in more than 3,000 males from birth to 16 years old.

They found that on average, the penis grew rapidly from birth until about 1 year of age. From the ages of 1 to 11, penis growth slowed down to some extent. At about age 11 and entering puberty, the researchers observed another period of rapid growth.

When penises seem small

Most males fall into the range of average penis size. However, some boys and men may have what is known as a micropenis. Also, not all small penises are micropenises.

Micropenis

Micropenis is a condition, most often diagnosed in infants, characterized by a penis that falls below the average size range. The criteria for micropenis in infants is generally a penis size of smaller than .75 in. (1.9 cm), based on the stretched penis length.

According to University of Rochester Medical Center, one of the most common complications of micropenis is lowered fertility due to a decreased sperm count.

A sex hormone imbalance called hypogonadism is a leading cause of micropenis.

Although there are different treatment approaches for micropenis, hormone treatment can be key in treating babies. Early administration of testosterone may even help to increase penis size by 100 percent during the initial course of treatment for an infant.

In cases where hormone treatment doesn’t work, surgery may be an option, while speaking with mental health professional can provide more long-term benefits.

Inconspicuous penis

Inconspicuous penis is an umbrella term for any number of conditions that cause the penis to appear smaller than normal.

The following conditions are all linked to having a smaller than usual penis size.

  • Buried penis. Buried penis is primarily caused by an excess accumulation of skin around the penis. The penis may be buried, or hidden, beneath the abdomen, scrotum, or even thigh. In most cases, the penis is a normal length and functions normally. However, this condition may cause difficulty with sexual arousal and function as well as urination.
  • Webbed penis. Webbed penis occurs when the skin of the scrotum is attached too high on the penis. This can affect the angle at which the penis rests, causing it to appear “webbed” and shorter than normal. Cosmetic surgery is a common treatment approach for this condition.
  • Trapped penis. Trapped penis can occur as the result of a circumcision not healing correctly. With a trapped penis, the scar tissue from the circumcision causes the penis to become trapped beneath the healed skin. This condition can cause serious issues with urinary dysfunction, so steroid therapy or surgery are necessary.

Many of these conditions are uncommon, affecting a small portion of the population. In all cases, however, it’s important to remember that penis size does not necessarily determine sexual attractiveness.

Penis size is only one small element in a list of items sexual partners find attractive — with emotional attractiveness being near the top. Besides, one 2006 study found that almost 85 percent of women are content with the size of their partner’s penis.

The takeaway

Although many men are concerned that their penis is too small, research has shown that most men have an average-sized penis. It’s also important to remember that penises, just like vaginas, come in all different shapes and sizes. There is no one perfect penis, and penis size does not determine your sexual attractiveness or self-worth.

For those who fall outside of typical penis size range for any reason, there are interventions that can help promote a positive and fulfilling sex life. If you are still concerned with your penis size or feel that it’s affecting your sex life, reaching out to a sex therapist can help.  [Editor’s Note: There are plenty of techniques for increasing the size of your penis using manual exercises on PEGym.]

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Flaccid Penis: Average Size, How You Hang, and Other Facts

Everything You Need to Know About a Flaccid Penis

Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, MD on March 7, 2018 — Written by Kimberly Holland

This article is a repost which originally appeared on healthline

What’s the average flaccid penis size?

The penis spends most of its time flaccid, or soft and hanging loosely. In other words, a flaccid penis is a penis at rest. According to a study in BJU International (BJUI), the average length of a flaccid penis in an adult male is 3.61 inches. The average girth of a flaccid penis is 3.66 inches. The girth of a penis is a measure of the penis’s circumference at this widest section.

By comparison, the same study found that the average length of an erect penis is 5.16 inches, and the average girth of an erect penis is 4.59 inches.

A flaccid penis can change in size temporarily due to external factors, such as temperature. For example, cold weather can make a flaccid penis smaller for a short period of time. This happens automatically as your body tries to protect your penis.

Read on to learn more about the flaccid penis,

Does flaccid size affect erect size?

There’s no relationship between the size of a penis when flaccid or erect. In fact, a study in the Journal of Urology found that the average erect penis size is similar for most adult men, but the sizes of flaccid penises vary.

The study also found that a better predictor of erect length was “stretched” length. That’s when a flaccid penis is pulled slightly to elongate the muscle and skin. It’s not recommended you stretch your penis, however. You may inadvertently cause pain or damage.

How to measure your penis

To measure your penis, first gather a ruler or tape measure. Place the end of the ruler or tape measure against the top of the penis, which is the area where the penis connects to the pubic bone. Compress any fat around the top of the penis so the ruler or tape measure is as close to the pubic bone as possible.

Measure from the base of the penis to the tip of your glans. The glans is the rounded part of the penis’s tip or end. Do not include any additional length from foreskin.

To measure the circumference, wrap the tape measure around the base or the middle of the shaft.

Why are some flaccid penises longer than others?

You can’t assume anything about your erect penis size by looking at your penis while it’s flaccid. Some men may gain a significant amount of length from the flaccid position. These men are sometimes referred to as “growers.” Other men, however, don’t gain as much length with an erection. These men may be colloquially referred to as “showers.”

The terms “shower” and “grower” are not medically relevant terms. There is no specific scientific threshold for dividing penises into either category.

Is it normal to hang on one side or the other?

It’s natural for penises to have some curvature, or to “hang” to one side or the other when they’re flaccid. Some of these curvatures may also be present when the penis is erect.

The penis contains three separate chambers. These chambers are responsible for pumping blood into and out of the penis. These chambers vary in length. A penis may bend in the direction of the shortest cylinder.

Likewise, your penis’s curvature, or the side to which it hangs, may actually be the result of habit. When you’re dressing, you may habitually push your penis to one side of your pants or underwear. You may assume your penis naturally hangs on that side, but really, you’ve made a habit of pushing that way.

Is my penis normal?

It’s not uncommon for men to be curious about their penis size and question if it’s “normal.” It’s also not uncommon to wonder if your penis is capable of sexually satisfying a partner. In fact, your perception of your penis may affect your confidence, your self-image, and your sexual performance, so it’s important to understand what “normal” means when it comes to penis shape and size.

Almost all men fall within the “average” penis length category, according to the BJUI study. Only 5 percent of men are larger than the average length and girth, and only 5 percent are smaller.

That means the chances are you’re as normal as every guy around you. Each man’s penis is different in length, girth, and appearance. Never compare yourself to others because you’re each unique.

When to seek help

For many men, self-confidence is tied to a positive body image. That can include confidence in your penis’s shape and size.

If you think your penis is smaller than average, you may have a negative body image. You may also find that you experience negative consequences with sexual satisfaction or have difficulty with sexual performance due to your issues with self-confidence.

Talk with your doctor if you find that you’re overly worried about your penis or fear something is wrong with it. This can include the shape or size. It might also include concerns about the curvature or length when flaccid. Your doctor can perform a physical exam and reassure you of your health and normal size, or recommend a treatment plan if they have any medical concerns.

Takeaway

Comparing yourself to other men can affect your self-esteem and confidence. Embrace the idea of being “normal,” and relax knowing that every man is unique and different.