Last Updated on 7th September 2023 by Charlie Walsh
Penis shrinkage – sounds like every man’s worst nightmare right? Especially if you’re already conscious about how you measure up.
As if you don’t have enough to worry about without the prospect of your most prized asset actually getting smaller – after all, most men want to add inches, not have them taken away. But is it really true?
Can Your Penis Shrink?
You won’t be happy, but your penis can indeed shrink and it can start without you even noticing. The process takes time and can happen for a number of reasons but most men will go through the slow loss of their penis length.
The length a man will eventually see from his penis is determined by the random assortment of genes inherited. Once the natural growth finishes, your manhood starts a slow crawl back to its roots which is the last thing most men want.
Just like the rest of the body, the penis starts to shrink as we get older. The difference here is that there’s actually something you can do about it! That’s right, there are certain techniques and steps you can take to ward off the reduction of your staff size.
While it’s accepted that aging can’t be stopped, men still face additional pressures when it comes to the size, shape and performance of our member. That’s not to say the opposite sex doesn’t have their own set of unrealistic standards, but in the case of shrinking body parts, a man’s personal tool is the focus of jokes and stigma brought on by media.
Extra pressure to perform just makes the act even more difficult which is why it’s important to understand why the penis shrinks and what you can do to prevent or reverse the change.
6 Causes of Penis Shrinkage
1. Weight gain
Although your penis may appear smaller with weight gain, it hasn’t shrunk. As you age, the effects of weight gain, primarily in areas around your belly, should be a genuine concern.
Since the penis is attached to your abdominal wall, when your stomach expands with weight gain, it pulls the penis inwards and makes it appear smaller. Losing the extra pounds and maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help bring back your penis’s usual size and shape.
How To Fix:
Being one of the most common causes of penis shrinkage, weight gain is easily reversed with proper diet and exercise. Yes yes, it’s much easier said than done but having the motivation of not losing penis length can quickly tip the scales towards the gym and eating your veggies.
2. Peyronie’s disease
Peyronie’s disease can also cause penile shrinkage. According to the NIH, up to 23% of men aged 40 to 70 are affected by Peyronie’s disease. This condition occurs when fibrous scar tissues develop inside the penis, leading to curved erection.
Peyronie’s can also cause a reduction in the length and circumferences of a man’s penis. A curved erection can be an issue of concern, especially where the bend is painful.
How To Fix:
Outside of medication your doctor can prescribe, which is inconsistent at best, there’s a practice known as penile traction therapy.
We agree that putting “penile” and “traction” in the same phrase sounds like a nightmare, but it’s actually the only medical treatment shown to increase penis length. It even helps reduce excess curvature if your prize fight likes to throw left or right hooks instead of a straight jab. Overall, 94% of men who complete the therapy are able to realize gains on their penis length journey.
3. Smoking
Cigarette smoking can wreak havoc on your penis. A study revealed smokers had shorter erect penises when compared to men who did not smoke.
The chemicals from cigarette smoke damage the blood vessels of your penis. This damage prevents the vessels from filling with blood for your penis to maintain an erection. Healthy blood flow is essential to penile health, and inhibited flow might lead to reduced penis size.
How To Fix:
Similar to losing excess weight to fight penis shrinkage, the solution to quit smoking is a tough one to tackle. Once you do stop, the blood vessels are given a chance to heal and further damage is stopped. Regular exercise can help get the blood pumping again too, so a lifestyle overhaul may be in order to keep you from losing precious inches.
4. Medication
It’s no secret that certain medications can lead to penis shrinkage. Drugs such as Adderall, dutasteride, finasteride and some antidepressants and antipsychotics have been linked to penis shrinkage.
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine Trusted Source reveals some males taking finasteride to treat enlarged prostate reported reduced sensation and penis size. If you are concerned about this side effect, you should talk to your doctor.
How To Fix:
Finally a shrinkage problem someone else can solve for you. Talk with your doctor if any of your prescriptions are causing trouble downstairs as these changes tend to be temporary and a simple med swap could be exactly what you need.
5. The Effects Of Aging On Penis Shrinkage
As you age, fatty deposits may build up in your arteries resulting in reduced blood flow to the penis. This leads to weaker muscle cells in your penis’ erectile tubes resulting in smaller erections.
Essentially, your erectile tubes produce erections every time they are engorged with blood. Less blood flow translates to smaller and fewer firm erections and shrinkage of your penis.
Another possible age-related cause of penis shrinkage is a decrease in testosterone levels. Testosterone levels typically peak in your late teens to early 20s but start dropping in your late 20s through your 40s.
Without a steady flow of testosterone, the tissues in your penis, scrotum and testicles can shrivel and turn squishy. As a result, your penis may lose some length and girth.
How To Fix:
You’ll need to prepare for this one rather than reacting to it like the others. Make sure you’re living as healthy of a life as you can to keep your blood flow optimal for as long as possible. Low T levels can be found in nearly 40% of men aged 45 and older so don’t be surprised if you start noticing a difference later in life.
6. Prostate surgery
At least 71% of men who had their prostate removed to treat cancer find that their penis has shrunk by nearly an inch.
The shrinkage is attributed to abnormal muscle contractions after the surgery, pulling the penis farther into the body.
Fortunately, in a much-needed glimmer of hope, a study published in 2017 suggests that some men might regain that length within a year of prostatectomy. However, this cannot be guaranteed.
How To Fix:
The best way to recover lost penis length from prostate surgery is a fan favorite, having sex. You read that right! Start having sex again as soon as you comfortably can after surgery to avoid disuse atrophy and build your penis strength back up.
How To Avoid Penis Shrinkage
Penis Exercises
Yup, believe it or not, penis exercises are a thing, and the importance of maintaining a healthy penis should never be underestimated.
Lifestyle changes
Making some simple lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking, eating healthily and regular exercise can significantly reduce the chances of penis shrinkage.
What Is A Normal Penis Size?
If you are experiencing anxiety about whether your penis is big enough to satisfy a sexual partner, this question has probably crossed your mind more than once. Through movies, TV shows, pornography and even song lyrics, men are made to believe that they need up to an 8 inch penis to perform.
Even our sense of average penis size is off by up to an inch. Most men assume that 6 inches is the average. In reality, the average penis ranges from 5.1 to 5.5 inches, or 12.9 to 13.97 cm. It’s important to know that you can absolutely pleasure a partner with a small penis when you know what you’re doing behind closed doors.
Does Penis Size Matter?
Ah, the million dollar question. The answer is, well, yes and no.
Hardly conclusive we know but the long and short of it is that some women (or men) prefer big D’s, while others don’t – like Marmite on toast, each to their own.
You’ve heard the saying that ‘It’s not the size of the boat, but the motion it makes in the ocean’, right? A phrase probably coined by a smaller-endowed man in an attempt to make himself feel better about the size of his ‘boat’. But it’s true.
Whatever you’re packing in the trouser department, maintaining a healthy penis will give you the ‘big dick energy’ you need to satisfy any sexual partner After all, there’s no greater turn-on than a man who knows exactly how to use what he’s got!
