Although it may seem paradoxical, the measures have historically obsessed humanity. Numbers are used to calculate distances, years, areas. There are also measurements to describe the human body and these vary by gender.
A study conducted in the United States aimed to analyze normative male genital measurements, as they are clinically useful and temporal changes would have important implications
This research evaluated 75 studies published between 1942 and 2021. Data from more than 50,000 (55,761) men were included there. In this way they concluded that the estimates of average length grouped together, and categorized them in three ways.
- Flaccid length: 8.70 cm (95% CI, 8.16-9.23)
- Stretched length: 12.93 cm (95% CI, 12.48-13.39)
- Erect length: 13.93 cm (CI 95 %, 13.20-14.65)
“All measurements showed variation by geographic region. Erect length increased significantly over time in various regions of the world and across all age groups, while no trends were identified in other measures of penile size.
That is, after adjusting for geographic region, subject age, and subject population, they were able to establish that the length of the erect penis increased by 24% in the last 29 years.
“The average length of the erect penis has increased in the last three decades around the world. Given the significant implications, attention to potential causes should be investigated,” said the 10 researchers linked to the Department of Urology at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
For comparison, they also found that in 1992 the average erect penis size was 4.8 inches (12.27 cm) and in 2021 the length increased to 6 inches (15.23 cm).
And although there is an average increase, it was observed that Asian and European men had a greater increase in penis size, while in North American men it was slightly reduced.
What is behind these numbers?
As expressed by the DW news agency, the study’s lead author, Dr. Michael Eisenberg, a professor of urology at Stanford, expressed concern about the findings.
“Any global change in development is worrisome, because our reproductive system is one of the most important pieces of human biology. If we are seeing such a rapid change, it means that something relevant is happening in our bodies… There could be several factors at play, such as exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides or hygiene products, that interact with our hormonal systems, ”he said.
Among other causes, they also included the earlier onset of puberty in boys and the good and bad changes in human nutrition.
Finally, regarding the need for more research, he assures that it is transcendental to know if the male organ is growing with the same speed in other age groups.
“In addition, if there are detailed data on lifestyle factors or environmental exposures, we could try to understand why this may be happening,” he said.
Penile cancer: warning signs and prevention
The penis is the male organ in charge of two natural processes. On the one hand, urination, that is, the process in which the urinary bladder eliminates urine; and on the other, sexual intercourse, allowing ejaculation during orgasm.
Taking into account the various elements that can be configured as “risky” in terms of penile health, it is advisable to see a doctor to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.
In addition to the natural anomalies that this organ could present, the most frequent fear among men is usually focused on sexually transmitted diseases; however, there is another lurking: cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute of the United States (NIH, for its acronym in English), Penile cancer is rare in most developed countries. For example, in the United States and Europe the annual rate is less than 1 per 100,000 men. In addition, it details that almost all carcinomas of this type arise in squamous cells and include the following subtypes: verrucous carcinoma, condylomatous (verruciform) carcinoma, and basaloid carcinoma.