Average-Size Erect Penis: Fiction, Fact, and the Need for Counseling

Abstract

Most men believe that the average length of an erect penis is greater than 6 inches (15.24 cm). This belief is due, in part, to several often-cited studies that relied on self-reported measurements, with means of about 6.2 inches (15.75 cm) for heterosexual men and even greater for gay men. These studies suffered from both volunteer bias and social desirability bias. In this review, the combined mean for 10 studies in which researchers took measurements of erect penises was 5.36 inches (13.61 cm; n ¼ 1,629). For 21 studies in which researchers measured stretched penises, the mean was approximately 5.11 inches (12.98 cm; n ¼ 13,719). Based on these studies, the average length of an erect penis is between 5.1 and 5.5 inches (12.95-13.97 cm), but after taking volunteer bias into account, it is probably toward the lower end of this range. Studies show that a majority of men wish they were larger, with some choosing penile lengthening surgery. These surgeries are considered by the American Urological Association to be risky. Most men seeking surgery have normal sized penises. Counseling with factual information about penis size might be effective in alleviating concerns for the majority of men who worry about having a small penis. Studies find that many men have concerns that their penis is not large enough and that they are smaller relative to other men (

Postcoital Vaginal Perforation and Evisceration in Women with No Prior Pelvic Surgery: Laparoscopic Management and Systematic Review of the Literature

“…She denied rape or use of foreign object. She described the partner’s genitalia as normal size (12.95–13.97 cm) [ 4 ]. She had three eutocic vaginal deliveries, without severe obstetrics lacerations or heavy bleeding that could let us assume a possible loss of vaginal tissue integrity.…”

Presumptive Non-Ischemic Priapism in a Cat

“…According to human guidelines on priapism, the first corporal aspirated blood gas values show pO 2 > 90 mmHg, pCO 2 < 40 mmHg and pH 7.35-7.4, as cavernous tissue appears to be well-oxygenated in non-ischemic priapism [1][2][3][4][5]. However, because the size of feline penises is significantly smaller than those of canines and humans, it was impossible to aspirate blood from the caverrnosal bodies for gas analysis in this case [24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

The Influence of Social Desirability on Sexual Behavior Surveys: A Review

“…In several studies, the mean length for self-reported erect penis length has been 6.0–6.4 inches. The combined mean length in 10 studies in which researchers took measurements (of pharmacologically induced full erections) was 5.36 inches, and 5.11 inches in 21 studies of fully stretched penises (King, 2021 ). In a recent study, 10% of sexually experienced men self-reported erect penis lengths of 8 inches or more (and 30.8% reported 7 inches or more).…”