Does size really matter? What is the average length and girth of a penis? Many clinical assessments are not entirely accurate due to a number of different reasons (e.g. standardization in measuring length, girth, and penile rigidity, etc.). Based on a meta-analysis of over thirty-years of clinical studies, proper patient expectations include¹:

1. The length of a flaccid penis varies considerably but the average is 3.5.”
2. The average length of an erect penis is 5.5” (only 1 in 30 men have >7”).
3. The average erect penile girth is 5.0”. There is little variance on the larger or smaller side of the average.

Despite the previous information, men and their partners often desire “more of everything”. For penile length there is little if any option to truly increase one’s natural anatomy². Only by removing the fat from the mons area above the penis can one render unseen length. This procedure can only be accomplished by liposuction, cool sculpting or the surgical removal of overhanging tissue. Surprisingly, this visual effect can also be accomplished by simply losing weight. On the other hand, treatments for penile girth enhancement have been experimental at best. Previous treatments for penile girth enhancement gained little traction for a variety of reasons related to safety and efficacy.

There are a small number of centers that report favorable results with “free fat transfer” surgery. Unfortunately, surgeons and patients must be concerned about the development of granulomatous changes in the fat occurring after the natural (and expected) revascularization of the fatty deposits. It is important to note that several sites reported up to 70% loss of the transferred fat within one year3. Some centers previously reported on the use of dermal fat grafts taken from the groin, gluteal creases or acellular dermal matrix. Again, both the surgeon and patient must be concerned about a long post-operative recovery period and potential for serious complications like penile shortening, curvature, loss of the graft and devastating infections⁴.

There are also “experimental” treatments (e.g. silicone, paraffin wax, etc.) which are often performed by uncertified practitioners. Addressing your penile girth is a personal choice that only you can make.

References

• Wessells, H.; Lue, T. F.; McAninch, J. W. (1996). “Penile length in the flaccid and erect states: Guidelines for penile augmentation”. The Journal of Urology. 156 (3): 995–997.
• Alter, J.G. Penile enlargement surgery. Tech Urol. 1998; 4: 70
• Trockman, B.A., Berman, C.J., Sendelbach, K., and Canning, J.R. Complications of penile injection of autologous fat. J Urol. 1994; 151: 429–430
• Perovic, S.V., Byun, J.S., Scheplev, P., Djordjevic, M.L., Kim, J.H., and Bubanj, T.New perspectives of penile enhancement surgery tissue engineering with biodegradable scaffolds. Eur Urol. 2006; 49: 139