Till this age, many men are concerned about their ability to satisfy their partners and a lot of their tension is centred on how well endowed they are.
The most extensive study on penis size, published in the British Journal of Urology 2015, measured 15,521 penises around the world (including Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America). The results of the study found that the average erect penis was 5.2 inches (13.12 cm) in length with a circumference of 4.6 inches (11.66 cm).
Men in the 25th or 75th percentile—meaning men who were either 25 per cent smaller or larger than average—were only one centimetre bigger or smaller than the average 5.2 inches. Extremely small or large penises were rare. Only 5 per cent of participants had a penis larger than 6.3 inches, and less than 5 per cent of participants had a penis smaller than 3.9 inches. In a flaccid state, the penis of the average Joe is all of 9.16 cm in length and has a girth of 9.31 cm, according to the analysis.
Another study found that the average penis measures 7.5 cm to 10 cm when it is flaccid and 12.5 cm to 17.5 cm when it is fully erect. Only when the penis is shorter than 7.6 cm when erect is it considered a problem, known as micropenis.
Worries about penis size can affect a man’s sexual confidence and his decision to be involved in a relationship. Furthermore, anxiety dampens sexual arousal and makes it harder to achieve and maintain an erection, which is a condition known as erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is not related to the actual size of the penis but if a man is uncomfortable about his size, this can cause ED or make it worse.
The vaginal canal, on average, is three to six inches long; it can change shape and length during sexual intercourse or childbirth. During intimacy, the vaginal canal can stretch to accommodate penetration. Sexual arousal forces the cervix and uterus to be elevated and out of the way, which causes the upper two-thirds of the vagina to lengthen. If a woman were to feel a penis hitting her cervix, that could mean her body is not aroused enough to allow for full penetration, or the thrusting is too deep, or if a penis is larger than the average one.
For a man who contemplates increasing the size of his penis, he can consult with a urologist. The Journal of Urology study recommended that only men with a flaccid penis length of less than 1.6 inches or an erect penis of less than 3 inches should be considered as candidates for penile-lengthening treatment. Before pursuing the option, it will be good to obtain a psychological evaluation and discuss the concerns with a doctor with a special interest in sexual medicine.
Men may present to urologists or sexual medicine clinics with a concern with their penis size, despite their size falling within a normal range. This type of concern is commonly known as small penis anxiety or ‘small penis syndrome’. Some men who are preoccupied and severely distressed with the size of their penis may also be diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), where the preoccupation, excessive self-consciousness and distress is focused on their penis size or shape. BDD is a debilitating psychological condition that can lead to obsessive behaviour, depression and even suicide. What scientific studies have revealed is the following: only 2.28 per cent of the male population have an abnormally small penis, and the same percentage an unusually large one.
