Thin Penis: Learn What "Too Skinny" Is, Fixes, & 10 Sex Tips
Having a thin penis can be a real confidence killer, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s see how thin is too thin and what your options are for dealing with it.
Expert in male sexual health, leading Urologist in USA
Some men suffer from a penis that’s too thin, but they’re often left wondering what to do about it.
Even though a very thin penis can cause huge problems, like being unable to please a partner and lower self-esteem, it’s quite often an under-discussed problem.
Let’s get into everything you need to know about thin penises, treatment options, and ways to have a fantastic sex life regardless of girth.
Quick FAQs
There are several options available, both surgical and non-surgical, that can increase the girth of your penis.
A skinny penis is any penis that is below what is considered to be the average penile girth which is 4 to 5 inches around.
Studies have found that women prefer girth over length. One study found that girth is important to most women, particularly in the case of a one-night stand.
What's Considered a Skinny Penis?
So how thin does a penis have to be before it’s considered a skinny penis?
As it turns out, penis girth hasn't been studied or recorded as much as length has, which can make comparisons tricky, so the best way to answer this question is to start by looking at the averages.
A thin penis generally works and functions like any other penis when it comes to urinating, orgasming, or reproducing, barring extreme examples or deformities.
However, the thinness may make vaginal stimulation more difficult or less satisfying for some women, and this can cause severe confidence issues along with rifts in a relationship.
Luckily, there are ways to ensure a healthy sex life regardless of one’s penis size or girth.
How to Properly Measure Penis Girth
If you're wondering, "do I have a thin penis?" it's actually very easy to find out.
Measuring the girth of a penis is quite simple, and all that’s needed is a soft measuring tape.
Simply wrap the measuring tape around the erect penis’ largest area on the shaft (generally in the mid-shaft) and note where the tape meets.
To ensure visibility, have the tape meet at the top of the penis so the numbers are clearly visible.
Again, the average girth is around 4.8 inches when erect.
Pro Tip: If you only have a hard ruler available, try using a piece of string and then measure the string with the ruler for an accurate reading.
Does Size Matter?
A study of women’s preferences showed that women prefer slightly larger penises for short-term relationships or one-time experiences.
During the study, participants were given 3D model penises which they would then quickly separate into groups of desirability.
For one-night stands, the average desired penile girth was 5 inches, while for long-term relationships, it was roughly 4.8 inches.
And while not all women will focus on or care about penis size, the study showed that size is somewhat important when finding a new partner.
However, once in a relationship, the size starts to matter less than before.
Length vs. Girth: What's More Important?
As mentioned earlier, penis girth matters more to women during one-night stands than it does during a relationship.
However, in one study, researchers found that the girth of the penis is a more critical metric than the length when it comes to overall satisfaction and desirability.
Pro Tip: Most women say they are fine with the size of their partner's penis and that being an attentive lover is more important than size.
How To Increase Your Girth
It’s possible to increase your penis’ girth over time either through proven surgeries, fillers, or possibly even with at-home techniques.
Some men have found success with these at-home methods, but it’s important to go slowly, listen to your body, and keep expectations realistic.
Remember that these at-home methods are not scientifically proven, and some may have risks due to their nature, so please proceed with caution.
It is advisable to speak with your healthcare provider before trying any of the below methods.
1. Stretching or “Jelqing”
Jelqing is a technique that’s popular online but rather controversial with doctors, especially men’s health experts.
It involves making a ring with your thumb and forefinger (like an OK sign) and placing it at the base of your flaccid penis.
You then tighten the grip so that it’s tight but not painful, and then very slowly pull towards the end of the shaft.
It should take about 5 seconds to reach the tip, and then the hand can be placed back on the bottom to repeat the process. The entire routine takes about 20 minutes per day.
While there’s no scientific proof that this works, there are large online communities that swear by the results.
Some user comments claim that their penis has more girth and is longer after several months of jelqing and that the results generally stay even after stopping the practice.
However, both doctors and practitioners of jelqing have mentioned potential problems.
Jelqing may result in:
Bruising or penile soreness
loss of sensation or other small tissue damage to the penis
Penile fracture - a true emergency
higher prevalence of Peyronie's disease
erectile dysfunction in rare cases
2. Using a Device to Stretch Your Penis
Traction devices are another popular method of lengthening and increasing the girth of a slim penis.
Like jelqing, this method has a lot of followers online, but not many clear clinical studies that show its safety or efficacy.
This approach involves wearing a device for at least three hours a day to stretch the penis.
Over time, users claim that it lengthens and expands the penis permanently.
While stretching may lead to some small but noticeable gains, there is a risk that the penis may be overextended if the device is too tight or worn for too long.
This can cause micro-tears in the skin, sore muscles, and problems with erections.
However, if the device is worn correctly, there is minimal risk of this.
3. Surgery
One of the main surgical options for curing a skinny penis is the Penuma implant. It’s been used since 2004 and is FDA-cleared for use.
The Penuma implant is a crescent-shaped device made from soft medical-grade silicone, and it’s inserted into the penis to increase girth by roughly 1 to 2 inches.
It will not increase the length of the penis, but it will turn you from what’s known as a grower into a shower in a flaccid, non-erect state.
However, it is fairly expensive, with an average price of $17,000, and at this time, only ten doctors in the US are trained and able to insert it.
Despite the price and the potential waiting list for the procedure, the Penuma implant is generally thought to be the safest and most effective method of increasing girth and curing a skinny penis.
Another surgery option is a fat transfer, although the results are often unpredictable compared to implants.
Pro Tip: No surgery is without risk. Make sure you talk to a doctor with experience with these procedures to fully understand the potential dangers.
4. Injections
Dermal filler injections can increase penis size and girth, but this procedure can also leave your penis looking abnormal.
The procedure costs roughly $5,000-$10,000, and it consists of injecting multiple dermal fillers into the shaft and glans of the penis.
These gel-like fillers usually last around five years, and they can withstand activities like sex without problems, but they can be reabsorbed in an irregular fashion giving the penis an abnormal appearance.
Compared to the Penuma implant, dermal filler injections are cheaper and more widely available, making them a common fix for an extremely thin penis.
10 Ways to Still Have Good Sex With a Thin Penis
These top 10 tips will help you have great sex despite having a skinny penis:
1. Utilize Oral Sex
Practicing oral sex on your partner is a great way to increase satisfaction in the bedroom.
It can be done as foreplay, after sex for an orgasm, or as the entire event. Knowing how to please your partner orally will ensure they orgasm and feel satisfied despite your penis’ girth.
2. Try a Penis Extender
There are penis extender toys, often called penis sleeves, available that are essentially wearable dildos.
If your girth is a problem, these toys can add extra fullness and increase sensations for your partner during intercourse. There are different sizes and materials available as well to find the right fit. They may reduce the sensation on your penis, which can make keeping the erection more difficult.
3. Promescent Delay Spray
Many men suffer from premature ejaculation, and this can be a difficult combination with a thin penis.
The spray temporarily reduces the sexual signals to the brain which can prevent overstimulation, give you more control, and most importantly, it won’t transfer to partners.
4. Don’t Use Lube (For Vaginal Sex)
Lube decreases friction, but with a narrow penis, some extra friction may help to increase sensations.
Skip lubrication, or only use a very small amount to help maintain friction and a feeling of fullness while inside.
Whether in missionary, doggy-style, or any other position, closing your partner's legs will increase vaginal compression to help accommodate a really thin penis.
Bringing her legs closer together than usual will create a tighter space that feels great for both partners.
6. Use a Cock Ring
A cock ring can temporarily increase the size and girth of a penis.
The ring is placed at the base of the penis to keep blood in and engorge the shaft. The ring should either be stretchy or with a latch to prevent it from getting stuck.
7. Anal Sex
The anal cavity is full of nerve endings that can be pleasurable for your partner, and it’s also much tighter than the vagina, making it a great option for very thin penises.
Make sure to start slowly and use lots of lubrication to ensure safety and pleasure.
A buttplug can increase sensations during vaginal sex, and depending on the size it may also tighten the vaginal walls. This is due not only to the pressure from the toy but also to the contractions it causes.
Pro Tip: Make sure to use toys with a flared base for anal penetration to ensure they stay in place and don’t go too far in, making removing it difficult.
9. Kegels, For Him and Her
Kegels can help a woman tighten her vaginal walls during intercourse to provide a pleasurable squeeze for both partners.
For men, Kegels can help delay ejaculation times and allow for increased longer penetrative sex.
They are practiced by squeezing the pelvic floor muscle. These are the same muscles you would activate to stop urinating midstream.
10. Try a Penis Pump
A penis pump is a device where you insert your penis into a plastic tube and then pump the air out of the tube.
The tension causes blood to be pulled into the penis, temporarily increasing size, girth, and sensations. The fullness may last roughly 30 minutes after pumping.
Takeaways
Having a thin penis may be difficult, but it doesn't have to mean defeat.
You can still enjoy a great sex life by utilizing toys, oral sex, and other techniques to ensure you and your partner have a more mutually beneficial sexual experience.
And if you’ve tried the alternatives without success, there are still surgical options that can fix an extremely thin penis.
However, due to the risks associated with these treatment options, they should be considered carefully before moving forward.
Overcoming a skinny penis isn't always easy, but the results are well worth it.
By following these tips, you can enjoy great sex without worrying about the girth of your penis.
Dr Laurence Levine is a Professor of Urology and practices at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He is focused specifically on Male Sexual Health and is past President of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA). Dr. Levine graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine where he received his MD and completed his training in Urology at the Harvard Program in Boston.
Sources:
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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.
