Just about every guy wonders how he measures up in the
"down-there" department at one time or another.
Here's the lowdown for any guy who's ever worried about
whether his penis is a normal size.
There's a fairly wide range of normal penis sizes - just as
there is for every other body part. And just like other parts of
the body, how a penis appears at different stages of a guy's
life varies quite a bit. You wouldn't expect someone who is 11
years old to look the same as someone who's 19.
Guys normally develop at different times. Some may start
developing as early as 9. Others may not start developing
until 15 or even later. The age at which a guy starts to grow
varies from person to person. It all depends on when he enters
puberty
and his hormones start doing their thing.
Growth in penis size is just one part of puberty, which also
includes such changes as pubic hair development, testicular growth,
muscle development, and a growth spurt. Late starters almost always
catch up fine - they just reach full maturity a little later.
Penises come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. These
traits are hereditary, like eye color or foot size, and there's
nothing you can do to change them. Despite what you may hear or
read, no special exercises, supplements, or diets will speed up the
development process or change a guy's size. Also, like his
feet, a guy's penis may appear smaller to him just because the
perspective is different when he's looking down. And
there's a lot less difference in penis size between guys when
they get an erection than when their penises are relaxed.
In addition to size, guys also wonder about other aspects of how
their penises look, such as whether the skin covering the penis is
normal or if it's OK for a guy's penis to hang to the
left or right (it is!). If you're concerned about how your
penis looks, ask your doctor. Guys who are reaching puberty should
have regular
testicular exams
, so that's a good time to ask your doctor any questions.
Taking a ride on the hormonal roller-coaster means lots of
changes - and a lot of common worries - for both guys and girls.
Just as guys may wonder about how their penises develop, lots of
girls ask the same thing about their breasts.
If you're wondering about your
development
, don't try to compare yourself to your older brother or your
best friend - they're probably at a different stage of
development than you are anyway. The important thing to remember is
that it's OK to not be a mirror image of the guy at the next
urinal.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: August 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.