Not that it matters, but…

by Naydeline MejiaUpdated: Mar 02, 2023 12:01 PM EST It’s important to note that size can vary greatly depending on factors such as age, genetics, and even level of arousal, says James Elist, MD, a urologist based in Beverly Hills, California. In fact, a 2013 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men who were aroused via oral stimulation seemed to get bigger than those stimulated manually. (Good to know?)

And while researchers haven’t found any correlation between race and penis size or shoe size and the length of your member (gasp), below are some other factors that can impact penis size:

Genetics

“Penis size is largely determined by genetics and can run in families,” explains Elist. So, if you’re, uh, packing, thank your parents.

Age

The size of the penis can change throughout a person’s lifetime, says Elist. ICYDK, after birth, the penis grows gradually. And peak growth is demonstrated from 12 to 16 years of age, a.k.a. puberty, according to a 2010 study. As puberty ends, penis growth stops, but generally speaking, most men reach their full adult size by 18 or 19 years old.

After reaching your maximum length, time becomes a factor again. FYI: As men age, they produce less testosterone, which, in addition to decreasing one’s libido and erectile functioning, also impacts penis size.

Hormone Levels

As stated above, testosterone, a.k.a the male sex hormone, can affect penis size. Regardless of age, exhibiting low testosterone levels can lead to having a smaller penis, says Elist.

Watch this to learn more about how testosterone affects the body:

Obesity

Yes, unfortunately your weight can impact your penile size. As the penis is attached to the abdominal wall, as you gain weight, your penis may appear shorter because, well, your belly (or, fat pad) is larger. “Being overweight or obese can affect penis size by hiding the penis and making it appear smaller,” says Elist.

You may be asking: “If I lose weight, will my dick get bigger?” Well, not necessarily. Losing weight might simply give the illusion of a larger penis by decreasing the amount of fat around the penis and exposing more of the shaft. (The tread is not a magical penis lengthener, unfortunately.)

Smoking

An erection is caused by increased blood flow to the penis, and smoking reduces blood flow to your member, leading to a smaller size, explains Elist.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, describes the inability to get or keep an erection long enough for sexual intercourse and may be caused by either a physical or psychological condition. Men with ED may have a smaller penis due to decreased blood flow, says Elist.

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Moreover, a 2009 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men with ED tended to have a penis that was around 1.5 centimeters shorter than those without ED.

Height

While having big feet has absolutely no influence on your penis length, your height might. “Very tall men tend to have slightly longer penises than very short men,” says Muir. However, the significance is “very small,” he affirms. So don’t think that just because you’re 5’3” and your buddy is 6’3” that their penis is twice the size of yours—it’s almost entirely likely that that’s not the reality.

Is having a large girth “good”?

Short answer: It depends on who you’re having sex with.

For starters, if you’re a cis man having sex with a cis woman, having a very long penis can actually be a bit of an issue. Many women get what’s called “cervical knockings” as a man puts a longer than average penis all the way up, explains Muir. “He can actually cause discomfort by hitting the cervix.”

“In general, studies have found little correlation between the sexual satisfaction of the partner and the size of the penis,” Elist adds. “However, some studies have shown that some partners prefer more girth, over more length, for stimulation and thus greater sexual pleasure.” As they say in England, “Long and thin goes right in, but short and thick does the trick!”

Nevertheless, let’s not forget that the vast majority of women aren’t able to orgasm through vaginal penetration alone. “Women need clitoral stimulation, so a rabbit vibrator is more important for most women than the size of their boyfriend’s penis,” says Muir. (Ahem, speaking as a vagina-owner, he’s not wrong.)

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What about micropenises?

ICYDK, “micropenis” is a medical term used to describe a smaller than average penis. More specifically, one that is two standard deviations below the mean, says Muir.

“The definition of a micropenis varies, but it is typically defined as a stretched penile length of less than 2.5 inches in an adult,” Elist adds.

Micropenises are usually diagnosed at birth and are often caused by hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, or injury. They may also be present in the case of intersex children, says Muir.

According to Elist, “treatment options may include hormone therapy, surgery, or other medical interventions depending on the underlying cause.”

It’s important to note that a micropenis is an extremely rare condition with “some studies suggesting it occurs in less than 0.6% of men,” explains Elist. Between 1997 and 2000, approximately 1.5 in 10,000 newborns in the United States were born with a micropenis, according to a 2013 study.

But while someone may have a smaller than average penis, that doesn’t make them unable to please or be pleased. After all, everyone knows that size doesn’t really matter (wink-wink). “A micropenis does not typically affect a person’s ability to have sexual relationships or experience pleasure,” affirms Elist.

For starters, everyone knows that toys can help you please your partner in ways that the human body may not physically be able to. (Reminder: Sex toys are your friend, not your competition.) Plus, let me repeat: Most vulva-owners don’t orgasm from penetration alone. So, may I introduce you to the magical world of oral and fingering?

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A lot of men believe that if they don’t have a big penis, they won’t be able to satisfy their partner, but it’s your fingers, tongue, sex toys as well as your behavior, which will most satisfy your significant other, says Muir.

Elist adds that what matters most to any intimate relationship is one’s ability to develop mutual trust, comfort, and communication with their partner(s). In other words, it’s not about what’s in between your legs, but what’s in between your lungs (read: your heart).

Do sexual partners care about penis size?

While it’s true that size doesn’t really matter, what do sexual partners have to say about the importance of penis size?

Well, in general, “studies have found that a significant portion of partners report they are satisfied with their partner’s penis size,” says Elist. In fact, most women don’t think twice about a partner’s size, according to a 2002 study. Of the 375 sexually active women surveyed at the University Hospital Groningen, 55 percent found it unimportant, while 22 percent found it totally unimportant.

At the same time, other papers suggest that some partners prefer a large girth for stimulation, while others may prefer a longer penis for deeper penetration, Elist says.

Simply put, the importance of penis size varies greatly between individuals—and sexes.

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A 2015 study using 3D printed models surveyed 75 women and found that the ideal penis size for a long-term partner was 6.3 inches in length with a girth of 4.8 inches—just slightly above average. As for one-time partners, those numbers were higher with these women preferring a penis that was 6.4 inches in length and circumference of five inches.

As for what gay men prefer with regards to penis size, “there’s no published data on that yet,” says Muir. However, it’s safe to say that gay men have a better idea of what the average penis size is compared to heterosexual men, and may not be too concerned if a partner is, well, simply average.

Is there a safe way to increase your penis size?

Until recently, there really was no “safe” way to increase one’s penis size without having to undergo an incredibly invasive, complicated, and potentially harmful surgery. Many of these procedures, such as fat injections, fillers, and division of the suspensory ligament, were found to be ineffective and, many times, caused real harm to men, says Elist.

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Even today, penile enlargement surgery is not recommended unless in extreme cases such as having a micropenis or other functional issues. “For a man with a normal penis, he risks an enormous amount,” says Muir. “Surgery is almost always the wrong thing to do, and those doctors who are hunting this are not doing it for medical reasons, they’re doing it to make money out of vulnerable men.”

Still, if you’re considering penile enlargement surgery, Elist has developed a first-of-its-kind, FDA-approved penile implant to safely enhance the size of a penis called Penuma. “The implant can help with penile retractile issues, allowing for more of the penis to be present,” he says.

A safety and efficacy trial done by the American Urological Association determined that the implant can safely “enhance flaccid penile length in patients with retractile penis or other cosmetic deformities via a scrotal or infrapubic approach,” per the report.

Penuma is offered in major hospitals and medical centers across the United States. Moreover, it does not involve incisions on the penis itself. “The only incision is in the suprapubic area and can be hidden over time under the pubic hair,” states the FAQ section of Elist’s official website. Prior to surgery, patients are encouraged to undergo therapy to determine if their perception and desire for a larger size can be addressed without surgical intervention, says Elist.

How do I measure my penis, exactly?

So, you want to know how you measure up (literally) to the above stats? To find out your true penis size, follow the below steps to get an accurate measurement, per the experts:

74. Measure the length: Grab your measuring tape and place it at the base of the penis, as close to your pelvic bone as you can get it, accounting for any fat in the abdominal area. Bring the tape down to the tip of the head, making sure not to curve the measuring tape over the end.
75. Measure the girth: Wrap your measuring tape entirely around the thickest part of the shaft, which is usually about halfway up the penis. Find your measurement by noting where the ends meet up. Need a visual? King’s College London’s urology department made this insightful video that offers viewers a play-by-play using an IRL penis. YW!

Naydeline MejiaAssistant EditorNaydeline Mejia is an assistant editor at Women’s Health, where she covers sex, relationships, and lifestyle for WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She is a proud graduate of Baruch College and has more than two years of experience writing and editing lifestyle content. When she’s not writing, you can find her thrift-shopping, binge-watching whatever reality dating show is trending at the moment, and spending countless hours scrolling through Pinterest.

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