A medical expert has finally answered the question that haunts “most men”: Can your penis really shrink?
Sure, there are bigger things to worry about in the world, but apparently that hasn't stopped the male species from worrying about their manhood for too long.
Although it is not technically possible for the penis to shrink dramatically, it appears that there are a number of different factors that can affect a man's erectile outcome, causing the penis to appear smaller than it should be when on display.
Mary Samplasky, MD, urologist and director of male infertility at the University of Southern California, warned that men's age and lifestyle can have a negative impact on the penis' ability to maintain a consistent level of erection.
Tumescence is a medical term that refers to the normal pooling of blood in erectile tissues, indicating sexual arousal and potential readiness for sexual activity.
“There's really no medical device to measure penis shrinkage,” Dr. Samplaski explained. men's Health,
“We do know that smoking and age can decrease testosterone production.”
studies Research shows that smoking can damage blood vessels and interfere with proper blood flow – which can result in poor erections.
Although doctors don't fully understand the connection between testosterone and erectile dysfunction, Research It has been suggested that a drop in testosterone may affect the strength of erections.
Dr. Samplasky also said that heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid problems can cause changes in erectile function.
Obesity can also be a factor. Dr. Samplasky explained that fat contains an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen, which can lead to erectile problems and testicle shrinkage.
“Exercise is a natural means for men to achieve an increase in testosterone. Testosterone is vital for the health and well-being of male functional organs,” he told the publication.
Oddly, having “too much” sex is also thought to be capable of reducing a man's penis size over time, as excessive sexual activity can cause injuries, which can lead to the formation of scar tissue.
However, despite the possibility of a reduction in size, medical experts warn that penis shrinkage is extremely rare.
The incident came to light 18 months after The average penis length has increased by 24 percent In the last 30 years.
This might sound like good news, but researchers behind the study, published last year in the World Journal of Men's Health, warned that it's actually a “worrisome” finding.
“Any overall change in development is concerning, as our reproductive system is one of the most critical parts of human biology,” study author Dr. Michael Eisenberg explained on Stanford Medicine's blog. scope Those days.
“If we're seeing changes this rapid, it means something powerful is happening in our bodies.”
This shocking data came from 75 studies conducted with more than 55,000 men between 1992 and 2021, analyzing the length of the erect penis.
“Over the past 29 years, the average length of the erect penis has increased from 4.8 inches (12.1 cm) to 6 inches (15.2 cm),” said Dr. Eisenberg.
More research is needed to confirm the findings and “determine the cause” of the changes.
