PENISES come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and most men tend to be pretty well acquainted with how their member looks.
The appearance of your penis probably won’t change much throughout your life – though it might temporarily appear smaller when you’re chilly.
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But sometimes penises do shrink for reasons that have nothing to do with the cold – and it may be permanent.
According to superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click, Abbas Kanani, the shrinking and reduction of size in your penis is known as penile atrophy.
“If you’ve ever noticed your manhood appears smaller than usual, it can be hard to accept,” he says.
Penile atrophy can happen for a number of reasons, including medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, how much you exercise and the inevitable process of ageing.
Read more on sexual health
Here we go through seven key reasons why your penis may be looking smaller – and when you can do something about it.
1. You’re getting older
Your body goes through many changes as you naturally age, some of which impact sexual function.
Your penis is one body part that you might start to see change as the years go by.
“As men get older, blood flow reduces and penile tissues receive less oxygen and essential nutrients,” Abbas explains.
“When this happens over a prolonged period of time, it can lead to tissue damage and atrophy.
“Blood flow issues also cause the tissues to lose elasticity, making it more challenging to stretch and maintain your penis’ normal length and girth size.”
Another side effect of reduced blood flow could be an “increase in collagen, which can lead to fibrosis, the thickening and scarring of tissue”, the pharmacist adds.
“This can reduce the overall size and elasticity of your penis.”
2. Your hormones are imbalanced
Hormones can also affect the look of your penis.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for male sexual health, which tends to decline as you age.
According to Abbas: “Testosterone preserves your penis’ structure, the function of smooth muscle and connective tissue.
“When these are no longer being maintained because of a decline in hormones, shrinkage can happen over time.”
Aside from a difference in size, you may also notice your erections becoming less frequent or weaker as testosterone levels wane.
“This means that your penis is no longer benefiting from the stretching effect that helps to maintain its size and elasticity, which can lead to a gradual decrease in penile size,” Abbas says.
While ageing is a common cause, it could be down to other imbalances.
3. You’re a smoker
Smoking can decimate your body in a number of ways and your penis is yet another part that can suffer.
“There are chemicals found in cigarettes, such as nicotine and carbon monoxide, which cause blood vessels to constrict and reduce blood flow,” Abbas notes.
“They also decrease the production and availability of nitric oxide, which is vital for the dilation of blood vessels and the initiation of erection.”
Yep, you heard right – smoking can also affect your ability to hold and maintain an erection, as it increases your risk of erectile dysfunction.
According to Abbas, it can mean your penis is not stretched and oxygenated on a regular basis, which can lead to overall shrinkage.
Penis fact vs. fiction
Though penises are the subject of much contemplation, certain myths around them reign rampant – from shoe size reflecting the size of your member, to creams and oils being able to make it larger.
On top of this, it can often feel taboo or embarrassing to ask questions about your private parts.
GP and author Dr Philippa Kaye answers burning questions you might have about your nether regions.
What is the average penis size?
The average size of a penis is approximately 9cm when flaccid/soft and about 13cm when erect.
Does your shoe size reflect your penis size?
No.
A study looking at the penises of over 100 men of varying ages looked at shoe size and penis length and found no correlation between the two.
Why is the penis shaped like a mushroom?
So, there is a ridge between the top of the shaft of the penis and the glans, which is shaped rather like a mushroom.
One theory as to why this is is known as the ‘semen displacement theory’, which suggests that the shape of this ridge essentially scoops out and removes any sperm left behind in the vagina by a previous partner, who might be a genetic rival evolution-wise.
Can you break your penis?
There are no bones in the penis, but you can still break it.
During an erection there are spongy tissues called corpus cavernosum, which fill with blood to make the penis erect.
If there is a trauma, often a violent twisting or bending motion when the penis is erect, then part of the covering of the corpus cavernosum called the tunica albuginea can burst, leading to bleeding into the penis and a very painful swelling.
It is rare and tends to occur during sex, often when a partner is on top.
Read more on penis facts and fiction here.
4. You have Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease is a condition that causes your penis to curve when it’s erect.
It typically affects men over 40, but younger men can also get it.
Abbas explains: “Fibrous plaques form within the penis and this can prevent the penis from expanding evenly, causing it to painfully bend, during an erection.
“If this happens over time, the penis can shorten typically where the plaque is situated on the penis.”
The condition can lead to a loss of elasticity in the penis when it’s both erect and flaccid, which can make shrinkage of your member worse.
According to the NHS, symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include:
- Swelling that later causes a hard lump to develop on the shaft of your penis and stops it stretching during erections
- A curve in your penis when it’s erect (if the hard area is on the top of your penis it will curve upwards, if it’s on the bottom it will curve downwards)
- Painful erections that can make having sex difficult
- Problems getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Other changes to your penis – for example, you may have a hard area on the top, bottom and side of your penis, shortening it and making it narrower in the middle
If you have Peyronie’s disease, your skin may also be thicker and less flexible in other parts of your body, such as in your hands and feet.
5. You’re taking certain medications
If you’ve been prescribed medications, it’s important to continue taking them.
But some can take an effect on the size of your penis over time, Abbas says.
“Regular erections are important for the health of your penis because they increase blood flow and oxygenation of the tissues,” the pharmacist explains.
“Some medications, such as hormonal and hair loss treatments, antidepressants and high blood tablets can impede on hormonal balance, blood flow and nerve function, contributing to penile atrophy.
“Some drugs also suppress the production or reduce the conversion of testosterone and impact blood flow to the penile tissue.”
6. You have chronic diseases
Whether you have diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer, these chronic conditions may make a mark on your penis.
For diabetes sufferers, blood flow can be an issue.
“Blood vessel damage caused by high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes impair the supply of blood to the penis,” Abbas says.
“As a result, tissues can become deprived of oxygen and nutrients causing shrinkage.
“Cardiovascular disease causes plaque to build up in the arteries and restricts blood flow around the body, including the penis causing it to appear shorter in length.
“In chronic cases, atrophy can become permanent”.
Both diabetes and cardiovascular disease can increase your risk of experiencing erection issues.
Men with prostate cancer may also notice a change in penis size, as radiation therapy has been linked to shrinkage.
A small study found that patients undergoing prostate cancer treatment saw a gradual decrease in the length of their penis when stretched.
7. You’re overweight or not exercising enough
Finally, your weight and levels of exercise can both affect your todger.
“Poor circulation and hormonal imbalances can occur if you do not exercise enough or are overweight,” Abbas says.
“Not only is this bad for your overall health and well-being, it can also directly affect your ability to get or maintain an erection and your body’s ability to produce enough sex hormones.
“Physical activity helps to boost circulation and maintain healthy testosterone levels.”
Should I worry about penis shrinkage?
Though it can be concerning to see your member shrink before your eyes, Abbas says it can be managed with the right approach.
“One of the most noticeable signs and symptoms is a reduction in length and girth, but you may also notice a loss of elasticity leaving your penis feeling stiff even when not erect,” he says.
“You may also have weaker erections, decreased sensations when stimulated or changes in appearance of your penis such as wrinkling, curving or indentation.
“Men should book an appointment with their GP if they think they may be experiencing penile atrophy, so you can be correctly diagnosed and offered the most appropriate treatment.”
To help avoid shrinkage, you could also take steps to address any of the concerns above, such as quitting smoking, getting active and speaking to a doctor about any medications you are taking.
