Penis Size Verses Function

Many guys question the adequacy of the size of their penis. We get a lot of email about this question. This is a normal and common feeling especially if you are not sexually active or are considering becoming sexually active. The size of a man’s penis is more than adequate for its functions which are for sexual pleasure, and maybe reproduction (also for urinating — but you’re probably not as concerned about that!).

One thing that men can be assured of is that the size of your penis has no relation to sexual pleasure or performance. Performance is about the ability to get and maintain an erection or to provide sexual pleasure to your partner and yourself with or without an erection. Performance, then, is not really related to size — but dependent on muscles, blood and nerve supply to the reproductive organs.

In reality sexual pleasure is related to: a person’s state of mind; to respecting their partner’s needs; and their own needs. During intercourse, the opening of the vagina is normally not too small or too large for any penis because it is really a “space” that is surrounded by muscular tissue and will adapt to most size penises.

There are also many ways to express sexual feeling besides intercourse. Sexual touching and intercourse can involve many different positions, methods, angles, pressures etc. that change the way it feels and may increase pleasure. Variation and experimentation will vary the sexual experience in ways that a change in penis size can not ! If you want to know more about increasing pleasure or your satisfaction with sexual experiences then experiment or talk to someone you trust.

If you are still concerned about your penis size, then talk to your health care provider. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed to ask questions about your own body. Everyone develops at a different rate, but if you are concerned about how quickly you are or aren’t growing — or if you notice anything that is you feel is unusual about your penis or testicles — again, don’t be embarrassed or shy to talk to your health care provider. Remember, that old saying… it’s not how long your pencil is — it’s how you write your name. Or, “it’s not the wand it’s the magician”.

Penis Size — Determined by Genetic Traits

Here is a quote from the video library on ‘Penis Size’ , by Donald E. Greydanus, MD

The size of your penis is simply determined by factors, called genetic traits, which you inherited from your parents. There is nothing you can do to increase or decrease the size of your penis — it will develop into its adult size as you change from a boy to a man through the process called puberty. Most boys start the changes of puberty between 10 and 14 years of age, though a few will start earlier or later than these ages. First, the testicles (balls) begin to enlarge and then hair starts to grow around the them. The penis then starts to enlarge, first in length and then later in thickness. Though there is much normal variation, the final penis size is reached four to six years after the testicles first started to enlarge.

This process of normal penis growth can be disturbing to many males. Since the testicles enlarge first (and later followed by growth of the penis), many young male teens do not notice the testicles growing and worry that they are not changing and that their penis is too small. If you are overweight, fat tissue can hide the penis somewhat and give an impression that the penis is smaller than it really is. Some males in your class may have started their changes of puberty well ahead of you and they may seem like they have an adult-size penis-that can be very upsetting! It is difficult to know how large a penis will be in its erect state, simply by looking at it when not erect (or when flaccid).

It is also true that adult penis size varies considerably from person to person. Just as with any body part, different people will have different penis sizes. We live in a society that pushes a myth that the male with a larger penis has a better sex life than one with a smaller penis. This is constantly noted in sexual jokes, in comments heard on TV, or in the movies and in many other places. Well, the truth is that normal penises vary tremendously in size, and sex is just as good for each of these males. You will need to wait a year or two after your overall height has stopped changing to see what final size your penis will be. If at any time during your growing, you are worried that your penis is abnormal, just go to your doctor and ask him or her directly about this. In almost every case, you will be told that it is fine.

• If you are still concerned about penis size or other related issues see this article. There is a table of penis sizes according to age and ethnicity.
• Check out our Library of Sexual Health Education Videos and: