Is Penis Size Important?

Is Penis Size Important?

Note on Measurements:

At the time of writing, the USA and parts of the UK still use the Imperial System whilst Australia, New Zealand and many Asian countries use the Metric System. For ease of understanding, this article has been written using inches rather than centimetres. For a quick conversion, 2.54 centimetres or 25 millimetres is roughly equivalent to one inch.

THE PENIS:

An amazing organ, one that we have endlessly been fascinated with. If you happen to be the owner of one, then its size, shape, length, girth and appearance can be a cause for celebration or concern. Many people are quick to point out that 'it's not the meat, it's the motion,' despite this, all men worry at some stage of their life whether they are normal, small, medium or large, whether they should or shouldn't be circumcised, whether they should lay their cock to the left or to the right, and will they live up to societal inferences and expectations of manhood and masculinity?

Size does matter. Society is obsessed with penis and breast size. Pick up any magazine. At first impression, a woman with very large breasts or a man with a very large penis can appear to be more 'womanly' or 'manly' than their average or smaller counterparts. But the people who write these stories wouldn't want to live with the oversized appendages or perfect bodies that they promote. Big breasts are hot, heavy and very uncomfortable. An oversized penis can be uncomfortable, awkward, cause problems with maintaining erection and penetration and be more off-putting for women than you may realize. "You're not putting THAT THING in me!" While a small penis can be temporarily enlarged, the only way to shrink a big one is by surgery or a date with Lorena Bobbit.

What is normal? According to 'A Descriptive Dictionary and Atlas of Sexology,' the human flaccid penis is on average, between 3-4 inches in length and 1 inch in diameter. In an erect state, the penis, on average, is between 5 to 7 inches in length and 1.5 inches in diameter. The dictionary defines 'phallic identity' as "the tendency of males to seek their identity in their penis with an emphasis on the belief that ‘bigger is better.' Almost all men who are of average size [5-6 inches] and above average [7-8 inches] are more than happy. But, some people are not satisfied with what they have, and others have a very real grievance.

Despite the plethora of information about penis size, many men are insecure and only appear to gain more confidence about their size, shape, appearance and performance if they have a partner or lover who appreciates their qualities. Benny illustrates the point: "To woman, it is dependent on experience and her size as well. What do I mean? Michelle's first partner was 5 inches, her second was 6. When partner 3 comes along and is 7 inches, WOW, she thinks, he's huge. Laura's first sex partner is 9 inches. Her second is 8. When Mr. 7 inch comes along. 'Sigh', he's tiny."

In an article regarding women's attitudes on penis size, Dolores Keller, PhD., wrote of her interviews with 57 sexually active women from 17 to 52 years of age, with an average of 4.2 partners over a period of two years. All but six of the women reported being "more stimulated either by the physical presence of, or fantasized pleasure of, the bigger penis". Maj-Britt T. Rosenbaum, M.D., writing in the same article, said that "penis size ranks fairly low on most women's lists of physical attributes important to sexual attraction" Some women attach more importance to penis size than others, often equating the size of the penis to the degree of a man's masculinity.

Scientific and not so scientific polls and surveys [from 1948 to 27th October 2001] gather a lot of results that show variations in the range of normal. In the scientific literature, there is a lot of contradictory information. The mean and standard deviation of adult penis sizes can differ from article to article. According to William A. Schonfeld and Gilbert W. Beebe, (1942), it has long been evident that there is a clinical need "for more thorough knowledge of normal variation in the size of male genitalia." In their study, they refer to the erect length of the penis as length when fully stretched. The measurement was taken from the mons veneris to the tip of the glans. The erect circumference of the penis was estimated by means of a regression equation. The age group from 20 to 25 years included 54 subjects whose mean erect penis length was 5.13 inches. The flaccid circumference measured 3.37 inches and the equated erect circumference of 4.48 inches.

What appears to be omitted in analysing these surveys, and what I found a huge flaw in the methodology, was looking closely at the question that is asked! You can ask five questions on the same topic, phraseology will give a range of different answers, even from the same person. What are also omitted are any references to the term 'phallic fallacy' which is the belief that a larger flaccid penis increases more in size during erection than a smaller flaccid penis does.

In his article on The ‘Small Penis Syndrome,' John Murtagh, M.D. (1989) included average penile sizes. He found the average length to be 3 to 4 inches flaccid and 5 to 7 inches erect. Average circumferences were 2.5 to 4 inches flaccid and 4 to 6 inched erect. Murtagh has found that males often visit doctors for counselling about anxiety related to penile size, particularly some men who become preoccupied with size after entering a more sexually active lifestyle. "It is a manifestation of abnormal body image,” he said.

An article in 'Men's Health Magazine' (June, 1996) indicates that the average erect penis length now widely accepted by doctors is 5.1 inches.

A SUMMARY OF SURVEYS:

Kinsey : Alfred Kinsey, pioneering sexologist, was the first to do a mass scientific survey of human sexual behaviour, collecting some 18,000 sexual histories. From the beginning, the validity of Kinsey’s studies was questioned. Nevertheless, his research remains the main body of knowledge in sex research, a benchmark against which subsequent studies are measured. Kinsey and associates (1948) collected data concerning penis sizes from 3,500 adult males. All length measurements were taken when the penises were erect, along the top of the penis, from the point where the top of the penile shaft meets the pubic area to the tip. The foreskin was retracted in uncircumcised men. All girth measurements were taken from around the middle of the penis. Later data published included flaccid penis length. In summary, Kinsey found that the average size of a flaccid (soft) penis is 4 inches. The average size of an erect (hard) penis is between 5 and 7 inches

Inches (Length) Percentage of men

3.75" 0.2%

4.00" 0.3%

4.25" 0.2%

4.50" 1.7%

4.75" 0.8%

5.00" 2.0%

5.25" 4.4%

5.50" 10.7%

5.75" 8.0%

6.00" 23.9%

6.25" 8.8%

6.50" 14.3%

6.75" 5.7%

7.00" 9.5%

7.25" 1.8%

7.50" 2.9%

7.75" 1.0%

8.00" 1.0%

8.25" 0.3%

8.50" 0.3%

8.75" 0.1%

9.00" 0.1%

1.50" 0.3%

1.75" 0.4%

2.00" 0.4%

2.25" 1.2%

2.50" 0.3%

2.75" 0.3%

3.00" 0.4%

3.25" 0.4%

3.50" 0.9%

3.75" 1.1%

4.00" 6.3%

4.25" 6.3%

4.50" 17.1%

4.75" 11.7%

5.00" 24.1%

5.25" 9.9%

5.50" 11.5%

5.75" 3.0%

6.00" 3.9%

6.25" 0.5%

6.50" 0.5%

6.75" 0.1%

Source: "Sexual Behaviour in the Human Male" Alfred C. Kinsey, Wardell B. Pomeroy, Clyde E. Martin The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Inc.

"We are recorders and reporters of the facts—not judges of the behaviour we describe." -Alfred Kinsey, 25th August 1956.

William Masters, M.D. and Virginia Johnson's (1963) data found contradicting results.

Paul L. Jamieson and Paul H. Gebhard (1988) decided to test the phallic fallacy. Taking the average of Kinsey's larger and smaller penis groups, he found the mean flaccid penis length was 3.89 inches with a standard deviation of .73 inches. Mean erect length was 6.21 inches with a standard deviation of .77. Volunteers also measured flaccid and erect penile circumferences. Mean flaccid circumference was 3.75 inches with a .65 standard deviation. Mean erect circumference measured 4.85 inches with a .71 standard deviation. Researchers found that average penis length increases 63.4% upon erection and circumference increases by 32%. Jamieson and Gebhard were quite aware that "the variability in penis size will be likely to continue to intrigue ... specialists in the study of human sexuality, as well as the general public." This is the only data set that includes standard deviation of the measures.

Since January 2001, Thrive Online has conducted an ongoing poll. They asked "Is penis size important to you?" Overwhelmingly the answer was yes. With such a glaringly ambiguous question, the only response could be yes. But what were they asking? Is any penis size important? Of course it is! In March, 28,762 people had responded to the question. 71% of men and 62% of women said yes. 38% of women and 29% of men said no. By October, another 27,000 people had answered the question, but the results had changed very little. 71% of men and 62% of women said yes and 29% of men and 38% of women said no. A more scientific question might have been 'Does it matter what your penis measurements are?' which would have given a different result, most people given the latter question would say no. But the survey didn't ask that, it asked: "Is penis size important to you?" With such a black-and-white question there is no scope for individual differences.

The ongoing real-time penis survey at Penisize, has 20,059 respondents to date. The following summarises their findings: 76% of participants were Caucasian. The greatest participant age group was 19-24 with 24%. Participants self-assessed penis size: 45% said they were average, 23% a little small, 18% said they were a little big, 8% very small and 4% very big. Statistics on area of greatest penis width: Lower shaft: 31% Middle shaft: 25% Upper shaft: 11% Head: 30% Participants perceptions of average male penis size by percentile, overall average was 5.97 inches. Flaccid penis length; overall average: 3.30 inches. Flaccid penis girth; overall average: 2.86 inches. Erect penis length; overall average: 6.09 inches. Erect penis girth; overall average: 3.92 inches.

The 'Average Penis' Size Survey had 1200 participants in their survey, who were asked to measure length along the top of their erect penises, and girth around the centre. Penis size ranged from 4 to 8.25 inches. 51.2% of men were 6 inches in length with 50.3% claiming 4.75 inches in girth.

Richard Edwards' "Definitive Penis Size Survey" (Sixth Edition) had a total of 3100 men and adolescent boys, ran for several years and was taken offline sometime last year. He asked, "Just how big is average? How do you measure up?"

Trav's Men's Survey "about penis satisfaction and sexuality" Conducted in August 2000, had 1752 responses to the question: "Are you satisfied with your penis? 72% were totally satisfied, 97% OK, but could stand improvement, 24% No but could be worse, 7% totally dissatisfied. Of 1547 responses to the question: "Has a sexual partner ever rejected you because of your penis?" 11.1% of respondents were rejected because of their penis, because it was: Too small (4.9%) too big (3.9%) and 2.02% because of disfigurement, bend or circumcision status. Of 1573 responses to the question: "If you could change one thing about your penis, what would it be?" 53.5% would like it longer, 17% thicker, 5.4% would like to remove the curve/bend, 5.2% would like to restore the foreskin, 2.7% would like to remove the foreskin (circumcision), 1% to correct a disfigurement, 3.1% for other and 12% of men wouldn't change anything. Trav has a current survey in progress.

Playboy Magazine ran their own poll and asked: "How large is the average penis?" They based their report on results published by the University of California of a study on 60 men, and concluded that: "the average size of their erect penises was 5.1 inches long and 4.9 inches in girth. A Brazilian urologist who measured 150 men reported that the average size of their erections was 5.7 inches long and 4. 7 inches in girth." 5on1 Magazine isn't interested in normal penis sizes, it wants to know "What's the Biggest You've Ever Seen?"

When the Durex Condom website was updated in 1998, they asked men to take part in a 'penis size survey’ Durex considers that "the size of a man's penis is a key part of the equation that decides whether a condom fits properly or not, and if a condom fits properly it is more likely to be used consistently and successfully." 2,936 men took part in the survey. Both length and circumference varied widely. The average values were 6.4 inches for erect length and 5.2 inches for erect circumference. There was wide variation in penis size and shape, with the widest point most likely the head of the penis.

A more recent study, Lifestyles Condom Co. in Cancun Mexico in March 2001, showed that the average length of a male sex organ is 5.877 inches. Their study showed the average erect penis had a girth of 4.972 inches. About 75% of men were between 4.5 and 5.5 inches. Simon Joseph, a spokesman for Lifestyles said; "The Kinsey Sex Report and other penis size surveys have indicated that the length of the penis is 6.2 to 6.4 inches. And goes on to say; "Our results show that about three-quarters of men fall under the average quoted by Kinsey."

Dr. Nick's "Penis Size Poll" is also an online and ongoing poll, so far having surveyed some 6,500+ participants looking at penis size on all continents. His results are incomplete, inconclusive and all in graph form (in centimetres) on his out-of-date website.

The Alt Penis - Penis Size Survey "What's Your Erect Size?" asked site visitors to get out the ruler, measure their penis (erect) and voluntarily enter the results in an onsite form. "You'll see instantly how your penis compares in the web's biggest ongoing penis size comparison survey!" Of a current 75,332 votes, the results show:

21.6%   5.5 - 6.0 inches
18.4%   6.0 - 6.5 inches
12.9%   6.5 - 7.0 inches
12.4%   5.0 - 5.5 inches
8.2%     7.0 - 7.5 inches
6.8%     4.5 - 5.0 inches
4.6%     7.5 - 8.0 inches
4.3%     8.5 and above
3.8%     4.0 - 4.5 inches
2.4%     3.0 - 3.5 inches
2.3%     8.0 - 8.5 inches
2.2%     3.5- 4.0 inches

There have been other penis related site surveys of members and visitors, which draw similar conclusions to the above. The only other one worth mentioning does not scientifically analyse any results, but acts more as a message board. The Penis Survey asks "Penis Size - Does it really matter?" and visitors are asked to leave comments, many of which are worthwhile reading. Here is a small sample:

"Of course size matters to you people, you have a huge dicks. It's easy to say size does matter when you've got an elephant’s trunk hanging out your trousers. It's your way of making your self look better in front of the other blokes. You'll notice that Bobby 1 inch doesn't think that size matters as much as you do."--Captain P (March 7, 2001)

"My penis is over 8 miles long and I must say it comes in very handy when I participate in any long distance marathons." -- Tom Whitmire (March 11,2001)

"From a males point of view: Yes it does matter! I'm a 33-year-old male with an extremely small penis. We're talking about 3.5 inches at full length. I will never know what its like to burry it deep. My woman says it don't matter, it's how you use it but for me, well, it does." –Erik (April 10, 2001)

"I come from the East. In my country penis size is regarded as the most significant factor in pleasuring women. In my country we train in the art of penile enlargement as soon as we start puberty. By the time most of us reach age 21, our penises have reached enormous proportions. Our women, I must say, our not pleased. Our divorce rate is high. The main reason for divorce according to the courts is sexual displeasure. In fact, in the past 5 years, 7 women have died due to internal injuries resulting from sex with a mate with a much too large penis. Nevertheless, we are brainwashed from the beginning that having a big penis is a must." –EE (April 21, 2001)

So how Big is BIG? World Sex Records, quoting from Simons Illustrated Book of Sexual Records, says that Kinsey co-worker Pomeroy stated that the longest penis (they) encountered was ten inches. A 1970 unsubstantiated and unsourced survey stated the largest penis found was 9½ inches (erect). Published in 1935, Dr. Jacobus's "L'Ethnologie du Sens Genitale" recorded organs up to 12 inches. In "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex" Dr. David Reuben makes mention of a 14-inch erect organ, but no source was given. The largest reported penises would seem to be between 10-12 inches in the erect state. Dr Sandor Guardos, well known US Sexologist revealed that many porno stars use prosthetic devices to make them look 'huge' and explained how to watch out for the tricks used.

So how Small is SMALL? Dr. Luigi Avolio, Italian expert in Genital Abnormalities explains how errors in nature occur. Reporting in the eMedicine Journal, in March 2001, he explains that congenital absence of the penis, or aphallia, is a rare anomaly caused by developmental failure of the genital tubercle. Approximate incidence is 1 in 30 million. The penis is completely absent, including the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum.

The term microphallus, or micropenis, is applicable only to a normally formed yet abnormally short penis. Specifically, the term applies to a penis with a stretched length more than 2.5 standard deviations (SD) below the mean for age. The scrotum usually is normal, but testes often are small and undescended. In a few cases, the corpora cavernosa are severely hypoplastic. Measurement (ie, stretched penile length) is very important in differentiation of the various types of pseudomicropenis, in particular the buried penis in the obese infant and the penis concealed by an abnormal skin attachment Micropenis results from a multiplicity of endocrine and no endocrine conditions. Because micropenis is the result of numerous pathological conditions, assignment of sex of rearing generally is deferred until a physician determines whether the penis can grow in response to testosterone administration.

Clinical management of this form of micropenis has been contentious, with disagreement regarding the capacity of testosterone treatment to induce a functionally adequate adult penis; moreover, no general consensus exists regarding dosage, method of administration, timing, and duration of androgen treatment. Debate also surrounds the timing of androgen stimulation. Recent research indicates that testosterone therapy in infancy and childhood augments penile size into the normal range for age in boys with micropenis secondary to fetal testosterone deficiency. Replacement therapy at the age of puberty results in an adult-size penis (ie, within 2 SD of the mean). Further, results of this study do not support the notion, derived from research on rats, that testosterone treatment in infancy or childhood impairs penile growth in adolescence and compromises adult penile length.

Also describes the conditions of webbed - a congenital abnormality in which a web or fold of scrotal skin hides the penis - and buried or hidden penis - the penile shaft is buried below the surface of the prepubic skin. The condition occurs from poor anchorage of penile skin to deep fascia, or in obese children because the abundant prepubic fat hides the penis. The condition can be acquired when the shaft of the penis is entrapped in scarred prepubic skin following an extreme circumcision or other trauma. Treatment involves surgical correction.

World Sex Records, quoting from Simons Illustrated Book of Sexual Records, says that Kinsey co-worker Pomeroy stated that the smallest penis encountered in the Kinsey surveys was 1 inch. In the 1970 study the smallest erect penis was found to be 4.75 inches. (Quite large by today’s standards) Simons states that there are instances reported in the medical literature of penises that do not exceed 1 cm. Simons also refers to other studies of penile size, quoting smallest penis by race: "In the Jacobus survey the Hindu man was reckoned to have a penis that only averaged around 4 inches, a much smaller figure than for the other races investigated. In the Chartham survey the smallest organs in the various nationality groups were as follows: English - 2.75 inches, West German - 3.5 inches, Negro - 4 inches, French 3.5 inches, Danish - 5 inches, American - 3.5 inches and Swedish - 5 inches. With the groups being rather small no racial conclusions can be drawn."

Increasing the SIZE: Penis enlargement is possible through several different processes. Common choices include: penis pumps, penis weights, penis enlargement or stretching programs (jelqing) surgery, magic creams, lotions, & herbs. Other than the obvious benefits of Viagra (which can have a lasting effect for up to 24 hours) herbal concoctions, pills, and potions making claims to enlarge the penis, should be viewed with suspicion. Jelqing, or natural penis enlargement, is based on Arabian techniques purportedly used to lengthen the penis. The techniques centre on exercises and penile massage. Exercises, pumps and drugs while adding up to an inch in penile length, cause a temporary enlargement caused by engorgement, which soon goes down.

Penis extension surgery is the only known method that is certain and this is achieved by cutting the main ligaments that anchor the penis to the pubic bone. What this does is allow a part of the penis that usually resides inside the body to hang outside, making the penis seem to be about an inch longer. The two main cosmetic problems are that the erection will now shoot straight out rather than up, and the pubic hair covers the base of the newly exposed penis. This procedure is usually combined with another procedure that is sort of a reverse liposuction. Which, basically, adds fat to the penis to give it more girth. Surgery is a costly procedure (USD$4-7,00) and not covered by insurance.

To increase the LOOK: If you are not obsessed enough to go for the above, there are some easy ways to make yourself appear a lot bigger.

The last word comes from Ehrion (27th Oct, 2001). "Look a dick that’s 8 inches will be just as fun as a dick that’s 5 ok? Just be confident and focused on what she wants. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Remember your a man, you have a dick, women want dick, but sometimes being LOVED is better than the biggest dick!"