Penis Size And Compatibility: What To Know - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeGenital size and sexual compatibility

Medically reviewed by Sirisha Yellayi, DO — Written by Zawn Villines on July 28, 2020

Average penis size
Sizing
Genital compatibility
Improving compatibility
Summary

Penis size and shape are a worry for many people, particularly when it comes to sexual compatibility. However, no single size is right for everyone, and there are important factors for compatibility other than just penis size.

For many sexual partners, sexual compatibility is a crucial factor. However, studies suggest that penis size is not the most important factor for sexual satisfaction.

In a heterosexual couple, a person with a narrow vagina may not prefer a partner with a larger penis. In couples who have anal sex, large size may also be an impediment. People should discuss their sexual needs, communicating openly about how to meet those needs regardless of either partner’s size or shape.

In this article, we discuss penis size and genital compatibility. We also provide tips on how to improve compatibility.

What is the average penis size?

A man and a woman kiss in bed, and the woman is not concerned about how small is too small for a woman. — Penis size is rarely the most significant factor in sexual compatibility.

Many studies have attempted to quantify the average penis size.

A 1996 study involving 80 males found that the average flaccid penis was 8.8 centimeters (cm), or 3.46 inches (in), unstretched, and the average erect penis was 12.9 cm (5.08 in). On this basis, the study’s authors concluded that surgery to expand the penis should only be an option for males with an erect penis length of less than 7.5 cm (2.95 in).

A 2014 review used data from 20 previous studies that included 15,521 males. That analysis found an average flaccid penis length of 9.16 cm (3.61 in) and an average erect length of 13.12 cm (5.17 in).

In a 2014 study of 1,661 males, the researchers concluded that the average penis length is 14.15 cm (5.57 in), and the average penis girth is 12.23 cm (4.81 in). Although this study relied on the participants’ own measurements, the researchers deemed the results to be fairly consistent with prior research findings.

However, a 2019 study found that self-reported measurements may be inconsistent with these averages. In this study, males reported an average penis length of 6.62 in (16.81 cm), which is significantly higher than measured averages.

In the study, almost one-third of the participants reported having a penis size of 7 in (17.78 cm) or more, with 10% reporting a figure of 8 in (20.32 cm) or more. Only 26.9% of the males reported a size less than 6 in (15.24 cm).

Many males report experiencing anxiety in relation to their penis size. In a 2006 analysis, 45% said that they wanted a larger penis. The same analysis found an association between satisfaction with penis size and overall satisfaction with appearance.

Click here to learn more about the average penis size.

Is there such a thing as too small or too big?

Size is in the eye of the beholder. People’s preferences for genital size vary depending on their own sexual needs, the type of sex they are having, cultural norms, and numerous other factors.

Research suggests that size is not the most important sexual factor for most people. A 2006 survey of 52,031 heterosexual males and females found that 84% of females were satisfied with their partner’s penis size. Just 14% wanted their partner to have a larger penis, and 2% wanted their partner’s penis to be smaller.

Penis size may sometimes affect certain factors, including:

Sexual comfort: If a penis is too large for the partner, penetration may be painful, particularly without adequate lubrication. If there are significant size disparities, anal intercourse may be extremely painful or even impossible.
Sexual pleasure: The length and girth of a person’s penis may affect their ability to stimulate their partner. For example, a person with a short but wide penis may be able to provide significant stimulation of areas just inside of a partner’s anus or vagina but be unable to reach deeper regions.
Sexual anxiety and perceptions: Actual size is not the only factor that matters. Each partner’s perception of how large or small a penis should be may affect their enjoyment of the experience. For example, a person may feel anxious about a perceived small penis, even if their penis is average in size.

Genital compatibility

Vaginas, as with penises, vary in size and shape. Due to this, people with a vagina may also worry about what others consider to be normal.

However, variations among vaginas are harder to measure, as the vagina is an internal muscle that changes shape according to where a person is in their menstrual cycle, whether they are pregnant, and other factors.

Some people have a narrower vagina than others. A person’s vagina may also be shallow, with a cervix that is closer to the entrance, allowing for less deep penetration. While this may work well for someone with a short penis, with a longer penis, it can make full penetration difficult or painful.

Click here to learn more about the depth of the vagina.

It is a myth that vaginas get looser with age or frequent sex. The elastic muscles of the vagina are capable of stretching and returning to their usual shape. However, damage to the pelvic muscles may change how intercourse feels.

Click here to learn more about looseness in the vagina.

Damage to the pelvic floor muscles from childbirth or surgery may weaken them, making sex painful and causing the vagina to feel either looser or tighter.

Pelvic floor physical therapy and exercises, such as Kegel exercises, may help a person retrain their pelvic floor and overcome pelvic support problems. These exercises will not overcome significant anatomical incompatibilities, however.

Click here to learn more about vaginal tightness.

Differences in anatomy can also affect anal sex. The anus, like the vagina, is a muscle. And while it does not typically stretch significantly, prior experience with anal sex may make it easier for a person to relax their muscles for penetration. Smaller people may have slightly smaller anuses, making penetration more difficult if their partner has a large penis.

While incompatibilities do happen, penis size is rarely the most significant factor in sexual pleasure. When partners communicate openly and listen to each another’s sexual needs, they can usually overcome any incompatibilities.

Tips to improve compatibility

Various strategies can help partners better manage genital size and shape incompatibilities.

Open, honest communication is very important. A person who feels anxious about their penis size may find that their partner is actually very satisfied. Alternatively, they may learn that their partner cares more about other types of stimulation, such as oral sex or clitoral orgasms.

Some other tips to try include:

using more lubrication if sex feels uncomfortable
spending more time on foreplay
using pillows to elevate the partner’s pelvis slightly, which may help if the penis is small or narrow because it allows deeper penetration and more stimulation
experimenting with different sexual positions
offering additional stimulation — for example, males with male partners may use their hands to stimulate their partner’s penis, while those who have sex with females can offer clitoral stimulation
incorporating oral sex into the session, which may provide more pleasurable stimulation

Click here to learn more about improving male sexual performance.

Summary

For most people, size does not preclude pleasurable sex, even when there is a serious incompatibility. People can stimulate one another in many different ways to provide sexual satisfaction.

Anyone who is concerned that their genitals may be too small or too large should consult a doctor.

A doctor can discuss strategies for managing sexual health issues and may even offer treatment when genital size or shape seriously undermines sexual satisfaction.

Men's Health
Sexual Health / STDs

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Apostolou, M. (2016). Size did not matter: An evolutionary account of the variation in penis size and size anxiety. https://www.cogentoa.com/article/10.1080/23311908.2016.1147933
Herbenick, D., et al. (2014). Erect penile length and circumference dimensions of 1,661 sexually active men in the United States [Abstract].https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(15)30537-3/fulltext#:~:text=length%20and%20circumference.-,Results,range%20%3D%203%20to%2019).
Is my vagina normal? (2018). https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/vagina-shapes-and-sizes/
King, B. M., et al. (2019). Social desirability and young men's self-reports of penis size. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2018.1533905
Lever, J., et al. (2006). Does size matter? Men's and women's views on penis size across the lifespan. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.500.4917&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Pelvic support problems. (2017).https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Pelvic-Support-Problems
The pelvic floor muscles — a guide for women. (2015). https://www.iow.nhs.uk/Downloads/Pelvic%20Floor%20Physiotherapy/Pelvic%20Floor%20Exercise%20for%20women.pdf
Veale, D., et al. (2014). Am I normal? A systematic review and construction of nomograms for flaccid and erect penis length and circumference in up to 15 521 men.https://bjui-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bju.13010
Veale, D., et al. (2014). Beliefs about penis size: Validation of a scale for men ashamed about their penis size.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1743609515305294
Wessels, H., et al. (1996). Penis length in the flaccid and erect states: Guidelines for penile augmentation [Abstract]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8709382/
Wong, J. (2019). Top tips for more pleasurable bottoming.https://www.sfaf.org/collections/beta/top-tips-for-more-pleasurable-bottoming-from-a-physical-therapy-doc/

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Medically reviewed by Sirisha Yellayi, DO — Written by Zawn Villines on July 28, 2020

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