Nutrition, or lack thereof, can also affect the size of a penis.
If a pregnant woman does not get the proper nutrition during pregnancy, it can affect the growth and development of the fetus, right down to reproductive development.
Likewise, malnutrition during the early childhood years may affect your growth processes and lead to having a smaller penis.
What is the average penis size?
A PubMed Central study used a systematic review of up to 15,521 men and found that the average length is 3.5 inches soft and 5.1 inches when erect.
Another study involving over 1,600 American men found the mean girth 4.8 inches while erect.
More than 9 out of 10 men do have average-sized penises. Yet, many men think they're smaller than normal or wish they were better endowed.
Popular penis size myths
We've all heard the myths:
Well, if he's got big feet, then his penis is…
Make sure you check out the length of his fingers…
If he's [insert ethnicity here], then his penis is…
The thing about these myths is that they are just that: myths.
Here's a closer look at some of the most popular myths surrounding men and the size of their penis.
1. Shoe size
Even though this is one of the more prevalent myths, there is no link between shoe size and penis size.
There really is no correlation.
2. Finger length size
Just as a man with big feet may not necessarily have a bigger penis, a man with long fingers may not either.
While we're on physical characteristics and penis size, you should also know that these are not related to penis size:
Height
Arm or leg length
General body shape
Weight
3. Race and Penis Size
This one gets a lot of attention too, and there may be some science to support this, but very little.
A 2017 study conducted by the International Journal of Impotence Research did show there was about half a centimeter of difference between men with darker and lighter skin colors.
More than size matters
With all things considered, there is one key thing to remember when it comes to penis size.
When it comes to sexual partners of the opposite sex, 85 percent of women are perfectly pleased with their man's penis size.
The more important factors are that a partner can work with what he's got.
As an adage, remember that confidence is still ranked as one of the sexiest personality traits.
Takeaways
In the end, genetics do play a role in the overall size and shape of a penis, but the part played may not be as straightforward as expected.
Penis size has a lot of determining factors, including:
genetics
environment
hormones and more
The bottom line is size can matter but not as much as you think.
So, whether it's nature, genetics, parents, or sheer luck to blame, make the best of what you have.
Sex is an enjoyable thing, and there is no reason to let misconceptions about the size of your penis get in the way.
Dr. Jed Kaminetsky M.D. is an American Board Certified Urologist and earned his Medical Degree at New York University. In his tenure he became a member of the American Urological Association and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kaminetsky pioneered the minimally invasive Rezum BPH treatment and is an expert in male and female dysfunction.
Sources:
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can find out more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Y Chromosome. (2019). Genome.gov. https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Y-Chromosome-facts. Accessed May 17, 2022.
Vogt, K. S. (2022, January 10). Microphallus Treatment & Management: Medical Care, Surgical Care, Consultations. Medscape.com; Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/923178-treatment#:~:text=Patient%20Education-,Medical%20Care,micropenis%20due%20to%20testosterone%20deficiency. Accessed May 17, 2022.
Okumu, L. A., Bruinton, S., Braden, T. D., Simon, L., & Goyal, H. O. (2012). Estrogen-induced maldevelopment of the penis involves down-regulation of myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11) expression, a biomarker for smooth muscle cell differentiation. Biology of reproduction, 87(5), 109. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.112.103556
Veale, D., Miles, S., Bramley, S., Muir, G., & Hodsoll, J. (2015). Am I normal? A systematic review and construction of nomograms for flaccid and erect penis length and circumference in up to 15 521 men. BJU International, 115(6), 978–986. https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.13010. Accessed May 17, 2022.
Herbenick, D., Reece, M., Schick, V., & Sanders, S. A. (2014). Erect penile length and circumference dimensions of 1,661 sexually active men in the United States. The journal of sexual medicine, 11(1), 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12244. Accessed May 17, 2022.
Alves Barboza, R., da Silva, E. A., Ruellas, T., & Damião, R. (2017). Anthropometric study of penile length in self-declared Brazilians regarding the color of the skin as white or black: The study of a Myth. International Journal of Impotence Research, 30(1), 43–47. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-017-0009-z. Accessed May 17, 2022.
The Attractiveness of Confidence | SPSP. (2022). Spsp.org. https://www.spsp.org/news-center/blog/romanticconfidence. Accessed May 17, 2022.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
