The Surprising Truth About When Penis Growth Actually Ends – What No One Tells You!
Your hygiene practices, haircut choices, and taste in cologne may have evolved since high school—but your below-the-belt bulge likely hasn’t budged since graduation.
That’s because penis size at the tail-end of puberty is, well, likely the size of your shlong for life, according to Amy Pearlman, MD, a Miami-based board-certified urologist specializing in male sexual and hormonal health and co-founder of the Prime Institute.
And, for the most part, “lifestyle changes after puberty won’t likely get you bigger or thicker,” says board-certified urologist and sexual wellness expert Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD, FACS assistant Professor of Urology at UCF College of Medicine. Still, there are cosmetic procedures, clever grooming strategies, and sex aids that can all be used to make your penis look or feel bigger.
When does penis growth usually stop?
Before we go on, it’s important to acknowledge that the measurements of your member don’t matter. Penis size is not a reflection of your bedroom skills, virality, desirability, or masculinity.
Now for another reality check: If you’re past puberty, your penis has already stopped growing. Thanks to the whoosh of hormones that hit your system, most growth happens during what we’ll call The Great Sproutening—typically between ages 12 and 18, she says.
“Most penile growth happens during puberty when testosterone goes up,” Dr. Brahmbhatt. “By about 18—the end of high school for most boys—length and girth are essentially set.”
What factors influence penis growth?
According to Dr. Pearlman, “that’s the million dollar question.” Current research suggests that DNA and hormone exposure during development are to the main two determinants of ultimate penis size in adulthood
Beyond that, scientists have explored all sorts of potential penis size correlations from shoe size and height, to finger length and race. But “research suggests that there aren’t really any differences,” says Dr. Pearlman. The idea that people of different races sport measurably different dongs is a particularly pervasive myth—and one that, frankly, isn’t supported by science.
And, there’s less variation than you might think. The average erect penis is 5.1 inches long, and a whopping 90 percent of all guys measure between 3.9 and 6.3 inches when hard, according to a BJU International review. The average erect girth is just under 4.7, he adds. But, in case you were curious, 2023 data says that most penises measure about 3.5 inches when flaccid—give or take, depending on whether you’re a grower or a shower.
Believe it or not, most penises are actually smidge longer than meets the naked eye. That’s because the erectile penis tissues—known medically as the erectile cylinders or corpora cavernosa—extend several centimeters back into the pelvis, explains Dr. Brahmbhatt. Meaning, the part you see doesn’t reflect the organ’s full internal length.
Can penis size change?
“Yes, your penis size can absolutely change,” says Dr. Pearlman. But while it’s common for dicks to follow a downward trajectory in size, it isn’t inevitable.
“Your penis can shrink both in length and girth as you get older,” says Dr. Pearlman. But it’s not simply because of aging, she says. Rather, that shrinkage is typically linked with erectile dysfunction (ED), which is most prevalent with older age, she says. Case and point: 40 percent of men will experience ED at some point in their 40s, while 80 percent of those in their 80s will.
What gives? Each and every time you get an erection, the tissues of your penis stretch to accommodate boosted blood flow. If you’re not getting erections regularly—or are rocking semis more often than rock hards—those tissues can gradually lose elasticity, she says. This can lead to real, measurable shrinkage.
On the flipside, “if a man gets older and is able to maintain good penile health and function and gets a full erection on a regular basis, he’s not going to notice any change in his penile size,” she says.
Still, many men don’t realize penis size can change. “Most guys don’t come in complaining that their penis is smaller,” she says. They come in to talk about erectile issues and only share about their shrinkage after she specifically asks if they’ve noticed changes in penile size.
The good news? Penis size often rebounds to its previous stature once erectile function improves, according to Dr. Pearlman. Because loss of size and erectile function over the years can contribute to a loss of sexual confidence—which can, in turn, exacerbate performance issues—it’s best to chat with a urologist about erectile health, sexual function, and shrinkage at the first signs of change.
Can you influence your penis size?
Technically speaking, yes, it is possible to influence penis size. But not usually to the extent most guys hope for —and certainly, not without a few important caveats.
That’s why Dr. Brahmbhatt likes to start by giving patients a reality-check about what the average penis size actually is. Porn often gives guys unrealistic understanding of what a penis should look like, leading them to believe that their cock is far more lacking than it really is, he says.
Strategic lighting, flattering angles, at-the-ready penis pumps—vacuum-esque aids that support blood—all help performers actors look massive on film. Not to mention, many performers elect to undergo surgery to get that mega-cock, he says. “I tell guys that judging yourself against porn, is like believing all the CGI in movies are real,” he says. Both are produced and created for your entertainment with special effects that don’t exist off-screen.
Once expectations are calibrated, Dr. Pearlman says it’s important to address any underlying erectile issues. “If you’re not getting daily erections, then you could wind up investing a lot of money to increase size only for your penis to continue to shrink,” she says.
Even if you’re not navigating symptoms of ED, Dr. Pearlman recommends building the foundation of healthy habits. The keys to penile health are the same ones that unlock heart, gut, and brain health: A nutritious diet and regular exercise routine. “If you want your sexspan to last your whole life, that requires eating fruits, veggies, lean protein, nuts and seeds,” says Dr. Pearlman. Plus, a 2023 review in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that moderate aerobic activity—30–60 minutes, three to five times per week—consistently boosted erectile function. “Exercise really is just as effective as something like Viagra for improving erectile,” she says.
What you should know about penis enhancements.
Beyond lifestyle fixes, there are a few options for increasing girth or length—but they’re not miracle enhancers. And, as always, it’s a good idea to chat with your healthcare provider before taking any drastic measures.
Extension Sleeves:
This category of sex toys—sometimes simply called extenders or—are worn over the penis during penetrative sex to add length or girth. Often, these toys are textured which enhances sensation for the wearer, while also increasing feelings of fullness for the receiver.
Penis Pumps:
Also known as vacuum erection devices, these sex aids can often be used to manage erectile dysfunction. They can be used to bring additional blood flow into the penis and increase temporary swelling (aka size), “but they’re not proven to add length or girth long-term,” says Dr. Brahmbhatt.
Traction Therapy:
For guys looking to gain length, traction therapy is probably your best bet. “The safest, evidence-based option is a traction device such as RestoreX,” says Dr. Brahmbhatt. Originally created to treat Peyronie’s disease, these over-the-counter devices can all be used off-label to correct curvatures or add length. “ Worn 30 to 90 minutes a day for three to six months, it may deliver a 1/2 inch gain in length,” he says. Though, results may vary and consistency is key.
Penis Filler:
This in-office procedure involves injecting hyaluronic acid—the same gel used for lip enhancements—into the shaft of the penis. “It doesn’t change your erect size, but it does alter how your penis looks and feels when soft,” says Dr. Pearlman. Over multiple sessions, some guys can gain up to an inch of erect girth. However, because the filler is only injected into the shaft (not the head), there’s a limit to how much can be added before proportions look off.
Surgery:
There are also various surgical options, such as penoplasties, ligament release, dermal grafts, and silicone sleeves. Surgery carries risks of scarring, disappointing results, and in some cases, even paradoxical shortening—the unintended decrease in penis length, says Dr. Brahmbhatt. Due to these risks and low rates of long-term satisfaction, most urologists don’t recommend surgery unless medically necessary.
The bottom line
Your penis may have stopped growing somewhere between freshman gym class and graduation. But that doesn’t mean how you feel about it, or how you use it, needs to stay stuck in the past.
As Dr. Brahmbhatt puts it, “the penises in porn are Hollywood of genitals.” Comparing yourself to those on-screen enhancements will almost always leave you feeling small even if your measurements fall well within the normal range (or even after enhancement), he says.
When all is said and cum, what matters more than your penis size is trust and technique, communication and confidence. So, next time you find yourself spiraling about your shlong, remember your penis is just one part of your complete, unique package.
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