Penis size: the long and the short of it
Scientists have determined the average size of the male member by surveying a raft of existing studies. Check the charts to see where you (or your man) rank
If you’re hung up on penis size, here’s the long and short of it: 13.1cm, or 5.2 inches. That’s the average length of an erect penis, according to a new study by researchers at King’s College London. (Imagine an iPhone 5s and add about a centimetre more to the length.)
The figures were calculated based on a review of existing medical literature that had penis size measurements done by health professionals through a standard procedure. After a comprehensive search of research databases, a total of 17 studies involving up to 15,521 men aged 17 years and older were selected to be analysed by Veale and colleagues.
“The measurement of penis size may be important either in the assessment of men complaining of a small penis size or for academic interest,” write the researchers in their study report, which will be published online in the journal BJU International on March 3.
Men may [show] a concern with their penis size, despite their size falling within a normal range.
“Men may present to urologists or sexual medicine clinics with a concern with their penis size, despite their size falling within a normal range. This type of concern is commonly known as small penis anxiety or ‘small penis syndrome’. Some men who are preoccupied and severely distressed with the size of their penis may also be diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, where the preoccupation, excessive self-consciousness and distress is focused on their penis size or shape.”