There's plenty to look forward to about getting older, from rocking that silver fox look to caring less about what others think. Notably absent from that list? Experiencing penis shrinkage.
It feels remarkably unfair that you can spend a lifetime coming to terms with the size of your junk, only for it to pull a disappearing act in your golden years.
The good news is, the idea that the penis actually gets smaller over time is a myth. The not-so-good news? It's definitely possible to experience changes in the appearance and function of your penis as you age.
So, should you be concerned about this game of hide and seek? Whether you're preparing for what's to come or are already in the thick of it, read on for everything you need to know about penis size and ageing.
Will your penis shrink with age?
You can breathe a deep sigh of relief: there's no definitive evidence that the penis can actually change in length or girth as you age — although, shockingly nobody has jumped at the chance to be a test subject for this particular long-term study!
For the most part, the penis reaches its final size between the ages of 18 and 21 and that's that [1].
However, here's where it gets complicated — there are factors that can create the illusion of shrinkage with age.
What else may cause penis shrinkage (or, the illusion of it)?
Here are a few factors to consider:
Collagen loss
Yep, collagen isn't just that stuff that makes your complexion look youthful — nor is it only a consideration for women. Rather, it's a protein that provides structure to our skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments.
After our 20s, collagen production starts to decline by around 1-1.5% each year [2].
This gradual decrease gets steeper as time goes on, and by the age of 60, collagen production can be up to 50% lower than in early adulthood [3].
While this is part of the normal ageing process, it can affect skin elasticity in the tissues — and the penis is no exception. This can make your member appear smaller, even if it hasn't actually affected penis length.
Lifestyle, health, and hormonal factors
While the short answer to the question "Does ageing decrease penis length?" is "no", chronic health issues can still impact its appearance.
Vascular health (that is, related to the heart) and erectile function are strongly linked, with the mediating factor being blood flow [4].
In order to achieve an erection, the brain sends (spicy) thoughts to the penis, via your nervous system.
These messages tell the muscles of your corpora cavernosa (the sponge-like material of your erectile tissue) to relax, allowing blood to pump in and fill the open spaces.
However, if there are disruptions to the blood circulation, the penis may not reach that fully expanded state.
Smoking, alcohol consumption, and high blood pressure are all risk factors that can restrict blood flow to the penis, making it look smaller in size [5].
Testosterone also plays an important role, by dilating the underlying blood vessels and helping them flow where they need to. Men's levels of this sex hormone naturally decline over time, at a rate of about 1% for every year after 30 [6].
However, other factors like chronic stress or underlying health conditions can also cause testosterone levels to dip prematurely.
This can lead to the condition we know as 'erectile dysfunction,' which can make it difficult to achieve erections sufficient for intercourse.
Shrinking testicles
While the penis itself doesn't shrink over time, the testicles can. This is fairly normal, as the body produces less sperm and testosterone after the peak reproductive years.
Ironically, the testicles can also shrink by up to half the size in those undergoing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) — as the testicles are no longer getting the message that they need to produce more testosterone [7].
Thankfully, you'd be hard-pressed to find a potential sexual partner who is fussed about the size of your balls. That said, it can make your member look smaller overall.
Lack of sexual activity
Another factor that can (temporarily) cause the penis to shrink is penile disuse atrophy [8]. As the name suggests, this is a bit of a 'use it or lose it' situation.
While the penis is not a muscle per se, it contains muscles (as well as tissues and fibres) — and, just like when it's been a while since you hit the gym, these can get weaker if you're not actively using them.
But, don't panic if you're experiencing a bit of a lull in the bedroom. This process takes months, not weeks, and is generally reversible once you resume sexual activity.
Hard flaccid syndrome
If your junk looks normal at rest but you've noticed differences in your erect penis length, hard flaccid syndrome might be to blame.
This is when the penis stays in a semi-rigid state when aroused, retracting back towards the lower abdomen in a 'turtle-like' manner — which can make the penis look smaller.
HFS is usually accompanied by pain in the pelvic region and can make it difficult to 'enter' during intercourse.
While we don't know exactly what causes hard flaccid syndrome, experts believe it's related to poor blood flow, overactive pelvic muscles, nerve damage, or a combination of all [9]. It's usually brought on by an injury or trauma to the groin.
Other ways your penis may change as you age
It's also possible to develop a more curved penis as you age.
One cause of this is Peyronie disease, a condition in which fibrous scar tissue forms in the deeper layers of the penis [10]. This can cause curved erections, which look smaller but don't actually decrease penis size.
While this can happen at any age, it's most common between around 40 and 75 [11]. This is because when we age, the penis skin becomes more susceptible to injuries — causing scar tissue to develop.
Then, of course, there are the other, well-known age-related changes to sexual function.
Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are two distinct forms of male sexual dysfunction that both become more common with age.
Thankfully, you don't have to just grin (or grimace) and bear it — accessible and stigma-free help is available through online programs like Pilot's. Putting expert help at your fingertips, it's already been trusted by over
When to see a doctor about penis changes
Chances are, you're not taking penis measurements every day (or, we should hope not!).
However, if you do experience noticeable changes to the appearance of the penis — whether it be in size, girth, or texture — over a short period of time, it's important to seek urgent medical attention.
The same goes for if you develop unusual lumps, pain or sensations or if strange urinary symptoms occur suddenly.
A medical professional will be able to rule out any underlying health issues, ranging from temporary injuries to rare but more serious conditions like an enlarged prostate or chronic kidney disease.
What can you do about penis shrinkage?
While you won't actually lose length as you age (phew), that doesn't make physical and functional changes to the penis any less confronting.
It's been well-documented that sexual performance issues can negatively impact a man's mental health, confidence and personal relationships [12].
Don't let viral social media videos or internet forums fool you — the very worst thing you can do to attempt to make your penis look bigger is DIY stretching activities like jelqing or using a penis pump.
As well as being dangerous, this is likely to have the opposite effect by stretching out the skin — or worse yet, injuring yourself and creating scar tissue.
Rather, the wisest thing you can do is see a medical professional — either in person or through an online health service like Pilot's Erectile Dysfunction program.
By tailoring treatment to your presenting issue, lifestyle and any existing health issues, they'll be able to take a holistic approach to get you back to your A-game again. With 90% of Pilot patients experiencing positive changes and 75% regaining lasting erections, it's a step your sex life will thank you for.
Keen to find out if it's right for you? You can take Pilot's short, no-strings-attached questionnaire here.
.svg)
