Most of us imagine the effects of an extremely cold shower when we think of penis shrinkage. To the ordinary individual, it's a natural reaction, a quick and awkward retreat.
In this article, we will try to answer all the questions of what is penis shrinkage, why penis shrinks, can penis shrink, causes, and treatments.
What Is Penis Shrinkage?
The term "penis shrinkage" refers to a reduction in the size of the penis. Shrinkage might be permanent in some cases, or it can result from a treatable disease or poor living habits in others.
Penis shrinkage, also known as penile atrophy, is a frightening aspect of the ageing process because it does occur, and it occurs as a result of various age-related concerns that men face.
What Does Research Say About Average Penis Size?
According to a survey and research of nearly 15,000 men, the average flaccid length was 3.6 inches, and the average flaccid circumference (girth) was 3.7 inches. The penises had an average length of 5.1 and 5.5 inches and a girth of 4.5 inches when erect.
When volunteer bias is taken into account, the researchers believe the average falls closer to the lower end of that range in the erect state.
Appearance of Penis Shrinking With Age
There are two significant changes with age. Reduced blood flow causes the head of the penis (glans) to lose its purplish colour over time. There is also a gradual loss of pubic hair. The penis reverts to its prepubertal, mostly hairless state as testosterone levels drop. These can cause the penis to shrink.
Also Read: Jelqing: Will It Increase Your Penis Size? Plus Benefits, Side Effects & More
Causes of Penis Shrinkage
Why penis shrinks is the first thing to study before looking at treatments. The shrinkage of the penis can be permanent, and causes of penis shrinkage could be due to a treatable ailment or your lifestyle habits.
The reasons why penis shrinks are listed below:
1. Gaining Weight
As men get older, the effects of weight increase, particularly around the stomach, which can be concerning. Weight gain is inconvenient and might rob you of your peace. However, a man's penis may appear small due to weight increases. However, it is possible that it will not decrease.
The penis is linked to the abdominal wall, and when your stomach expands, it pulls the penis inward, making your penis appear smaller. So, once you lose those extra pounds, your penis will restore its size and shape.
2. Peyronie's Disease
If someone has Peyronie's disease, fibrous scar tissue forms inside the penis, causing it to become curved during erection. A curved erection is a cause for concern, yet the bend may be uncomfortable for some men.
As men get older, they may get Peyronie's disease. It can also cause a reduction in the length and circumference of your penis. As a result, your doctor may advise you to have surgery to remove the scar tissue that can cause shrinkage, bending, or pain.
3. Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoking is harmful to your health and can be destructive. Moreover, it can be harmful to your penis. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that can harm your penis' blood vessels, stopping them from filling with blood and stretching. The penis will not develop an erection if the blood artery is injured, regardless of the stimuli and their influence on your brain.
According to research, compared to men who did not smoke, smokers had shorter erect penises. According to one study, smoking reduces blood flow, which prevents your penis from extending and causes shortening. As a result, one study found a relationship between smoking and erectile dysfunction (ED).
4. Ageing
Because of ageing, the fatty deposits in your arteries may cause a reduction in blood flow to your penis. The muscle cells in the erectile tubes inside the penis may become weak as a result of this. When your erectile tubes are engorged with blood, they produce erections; therefore, less blood flow means smaller or fewer firm erections, which might be concerning.
As a result of a buildup of scar tissue caused by minor traumas, you may experience penis shrinkage. This buildup of scar tissue can impair the spongy erectile tissues of your penis, limiting erection size and even causing penile atrophy.
How To Regain Penis Size?
‘My penis is shrinking’ is a terrifying thought for most men. Fortunately, most partners are unconcerned about size, and in rare situations, a really huge penis can make the other person uncomfortable.
While the reduction in length can be upsetting, especially if you weren't anticipating it, you can rest assured that your penis size has no bearing on your partner's enjoyment or your own.
However, if you're concerned about your penis size, here are some suggestions:
- Lose weight if you are overweight. This will make it appear as if your penis is larger.
- If you're taking any medications, check to see if any of them are influencing the size of your penis. If this is the case, ask your doctor if any drug alternatives would be appropriate for you.
- As it boosts blood flow throughout the body, general physical activity can actually aid with penile enlargement. Specific penile exercises, on the other hand, may cause harm.
- Drinking plenty of water can help you get a bigger penis.
- Underwear and pants that are too tight should be avoided. When blood flow is restricted, the size of the penis is reduced.
- There is some evidence that penile traction devices and medication alternatives may aid with erectile dysfunction and penile length after prostate surgery.
Penis Shrinkage Treatment
The majority of causes of penis shrinkage, such as smoking and obesity, can be addressed by changing one's lifestyle. If your drugs are causing your penis to shrink, you may be able to reverse the shrinkage with a prescription modification.
Some men with penile shrinkage following prostatectomy may find that their condition improves on its own within a few months to a year. Following surgery, penile rehabilitation, which is a type of physical therapy, can help men regain erectile function, and drugs like Viagra and Cialis can help increase blood flow to the penis.
Peyronie's disease is treated by eliminating scar tissue from the inside of the penis, which can be done with medication, surgery, or ultrasound technology. Although penis shrinking is irreversible, correcting the curvature can aid in improving sexual function and reducing pain.
It is possible to keep erectile function as you become older if you do the following:
- Not smoking
- Keeping physically active
- Eating a good diet
- Abstaining from binge drinking large amounts of alcohol
Maintaining erectile function is critical because erections supply oxygen-rich blood to the penis, which helps to avoid shortening.
When to See a Doctor?
Penis shrinking is most often caused by age, medicine, or lifestyle behaviours such as smoking or weight increase and requires very little therapy. Shrinkage and other sexual difficulties can often be reversed by adopting healthier living habits or changing medications.
Any male suffering from penile shrinking, pain, or other sexual issues or who is concerned about cancer should consult a physician. A doctor, often known as a urologist, can answer questions, comfort male patients, and, if necessary, provide tests and treatment.
Summing Up on Penis Shrinkage
You can increase your sexual health and performance regardless of the size of your penis. Our sexual function declines as we age, but we can battle these changes. To keep your erectile tissue from shortening and shrinking, adopt good lifestyle choices and maintain your hygiene.
Finally, do your homework, gather the facts, and select the best solution available if you are having any difficulty with regard to your penis, which can best assist you in your sexual health journey.
FAQs
Does Masturbation Cause Penis Shrinkage?
There isn't a shred of scientific evidence that masturbating causes penis shrinkage by slowly jerking the bulk of your penis away or pushing it back into your body.
Can Low Testosterone Cause Shrinkage of Penis?
Low testosterone does not always mean a smaller penis. His testosterone levels will influence the size of a man's penis during puberty.
Low testosterone levels in older men frequently result in other sexually-related side effects, such as diminished libido or difficulty maintaining an erection. Testosterone therapy can help with these negative effects.
Can Stress Lead to Shrinkage of Penis Size?
Stress and anxiety can also cause your penis to shrink. Negative emotions induce blood to flow from the penis, which causes this. As a result, increasing the organ's size becomes extremely tough. Another factor that may play a role in the diminution of your penis is sexual performance anxiety.
Can Erectile Dysfunction Cause Penis Shrinkage?
Yes, Erectile dysfunction can cause penis shrinkage. The capacity to form a powerful erection is harmed by erectile dysfunction (ED). When the penis is flaccid, this can affect the length of the erection but not the size.
References
- Bruce M. King, July 2020; Average-Size Erect Penis: Fiction, Fact, and the Need for Counseling - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2020.1787279
- Michael S Irwig, November 2012; Persistent sexual side effects of finasteride: could they be permanent? - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22789024/
- B E Dillon, N B Chama, May 2008; Penile size and penile enlargement surgery: a review - https://www.nature.com/articles/ijir200814
- Gordon Muir, John Hodsoll, December 2014; Am I normal? A systematic review and construction of nomograms for flaccid and erect penis length and circumference in up to 15 521 men - https://bjui-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bju.13010
