Does size matter? A question that everyone tries to find the answer to. Having a small penis is normal sometimes. But sudden changes in the penis size can make you disheartened. Penis shrinkage is medically termed as penile atrophy. When there’s a decrease in the size of the penis, men aren’t able to perform sexual intercourse.
According to BLU International, the usual penis size falls under these categories:
- Average length of a flaccid penis: 9.16 centimeters (about 3.6 inches)
- Average length of a flaccid stretched penis: 13.24 cm (about 5.3 inches)
- Average length of an erect penis: 13.12 cm (about 5.2 inches)
- Average circumference of a flaccid penis: 9.31cm (about 3.7 inches)
- Average circumference of an erect penis: 11.66 cm (about 4.6 inches)
To understand more about penis shrinkage, we are here with its possible causes. This article will cover five common causes of penis shrinkage in men.
5 Causes of Penis Shrinkage
1) Aging
Various problems occur as a man ages, and penis shrinkage is one of them. In fact, aging is the most common cause of penis shrinkage. As men age, the blood flow in the penis reduces- as fatty deposits build up in the arteries.
It results in the weaker muscles in the penis. Hence, the low blood flow in the penis increases the chances of no or smaller erection. It makes the penis shrink by itself, and men suffer from penis shrinkage.
In some cases, penis shrinkage also occurs due to minor injuries from sex or sports. It develops the scar tissues in the penis, which affects the erectile tissues, resulting in the penis shrinkage.
Furthermore, the testosterone level in the body also decreases, leading to erectile problems. To avoid this, check your testosterone levels for 2-3 weeks. Eat healthy foods and practice exercise regularly.
Related: How to Help with Old Age Erectile Dysfunction?
2) Obesity
Obesity or weight gain is a usual problem in growing men. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases like heart disease. These problems can also sometimes result in permanent erectile dysfunction.
As men gain weight in their abdominal area, the penis starts to look smaller. However, it doesn’t get small in real. The fat in the abdominal area pulls the penis inwards, making it look smaller and shrinking it.
When you gain weight, your body dysfunctions and lacks several nutrients. The fat stores in the belly, and you gain weight. But there are various ways to apply which help with weight loss. Once you lose weight, the penis looks the usual size, and you get firm erections.
Related: Does Overweight Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
3) Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease, or PD, is a condition in which the penis curves, and men experience pain during an erection. The chances of Peyronie’s disease increase in men aged 40-70. A fibrous scar tissue gets induced in the penis, which makes the penis curve.
The curve reduces the size of the circumference of the penis, causing penis shrinkage. It is a problem that also contributes to erectile dysfunction. If your penis gets curved and you feel pain during an erection, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Related: How to Treat Painful Erection?
4) Cold Temperature
Cold weather increases the possibility of sex. The coziness helps to bring intimacy between the couples. Sorry to ruin the mood, but studies show that the shrinkage in the penis in cold weather increase by 50% in length and 20-30% in the girth.
As the air temperature reduces, the blood circulation in the body decreases in certain areas. The red nose and numb legs are the result of it. Likewise, a temperature below 60 degrees leads to penis shrinkage.
However, as the temperature in the air increases, the penis comes to its usual size. In summer, the warmth in the body goes up, and the blood circulation increases. It helps to get a stronger erection.
5) Smoking
Smoking is a threat to your penis. Mark these words. When you smoke, it affects different organs, including the penis. Smoking damages the blood vessels in the penis, resulting in a lack of blood flow in the pelvic area. It reduces the chances of getting a better erection during sexual intercourse.
Not only this, smoking is also a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. It affects the nitric oxide signal pathway, which plays a crucial role in maintaining an erection and contributes to erectile dysfunction in young men. Smoking in old age can bring so many problems.
Related: 5 Biggest Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men
Conclusion
Penis shrinkage is a side-effect of several conditions, some of which are treatable. Consult a doctor to make sure about the cause. Meanwhile, avoid smoking or use of any drugs. Have a healthy diet and exercise daily. These are the simple and easy ways to prevent any problem, including ED. Have a balanced body weight and ensure to check the testosterone level now and then.
If you have erectile dysfunction and want to treat it, we provide multiple ranges of ED treatments in the US. Check our site.
