From your nose to your ears, all parts of the body change with age. The penis is no exception.
And for many men, there may come a point when it will look as though it has shrunk.
While there is no concrete evidence that the male sex organ actually gets smaller over time, hormonal differences and changes that happen around the nether region may create that illusion.
The dreaded middle-aged spread or ‘dad bod’, for instance, can be to blame.
Extra weight gain around the abdomen, and specifically at the base of the penis, can visually obscure it.
Dr Justin Houman, a urologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, told DailyMail.com: ‘Excess weight — especially around the lower abdomen and pubic area — can lead to the appearance of penile shrinkage.
‘This is due to a fat pad accumulating above the pubic bone, which can partially engulf the base of the penis, making it look shorter.’
An age-related loss in skin elasticity can also cause the area around a man’s genitals to sag.
From your nose to your ears, all parts of the body change with age. The penis is no exception. And for many men, there may come a point when it will look as though it has shrunk.
Testosterone levels peak in young adulthood, around age 20, but decline by about 1 percent annually after age 30. (Graph courtesy of Hone Health.)
Sagging may, in turn, give the appearance that the penis is shorter, especially when in a flaccid state.
Dr Justin Dubin, a urologist and men’s health specialist at Memorial Healthcare System in Florida, said: ‘The penis looks short or buried in that [looser] tissue.’
The scrotum also sags with age, appearing larger and potentially overshadowing the penis.
As that elasticity in the groin area decreases, support for the penis also lessens, which can cause it to appear less ‘upright’ while erect.
And, indeed, problems of erectile dysfunction (ED) and weakening firmness with age can both create the impression of shrinkage, even if the member’s overall size hasn’t actually decreased. Roughly 30 million men in the United States suffer from ED.
This is largely due to the problem of declining testosterone levels with age.
Men experience a dip in the sex hormone which begins in the thirties and fast accelerates in the forties – sometimes dubbed the ‘manopause’. This can bring on problems with ED, reduced libido and lessening firmness.
The blood vessels in the penis also become stiffer and narrower in older men, which can reduce the amount of blood flowing to the penis, and result in weaker erections and the appearance of shrinkage.
Dr Justin Houman explains that excess belly fat can create a fat pad above the pubic bone, partially covering the penis and making it appear shorter.
As for the other intimate bits, those decreasing testosterone levels can cause the testicles to literally shrink.
Lower testosterone levels lead to reduced sperm production within the testicles. The cells responsible for sperm production then atrophy, causing the shrinkage. Studies show that sperm production can drop by as much as 50 percent or more with age.
So what can you do about it, if anything?
Well, all the evidence suggest that healthy weightloss is a good thing.
Dr James Elist, a urologist in Beverly Hills, says: ‘[Overweight] men can gain 1 inch of penis length for every 30-50 pounds they lose.
‘After you lose that weight, your genitals have the space they need to fully show themselves. Your penis and testicles will look larger. This will give you a psychological boost in the bedroom.’
The area that makes the biggest difference in the appearance of the penis is the fat pad located just above it. Though, of course, you can’t target weight loss to a specific area of the body.
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Dr Houman said: ‘Instead, overall weight loss through a combination of diet, exercise, and strength training is the most effective approach to decreasing the fat pad.’
Stronger and firmer erections can also make the penis appear larger. Many men struggling with ED opt for prescription medications like Viagra to treat it.
Improving heart health is also crucial. ED is often linked to reduced blood flow in the small arteries that supply the penis.
Dr Houman explains: ‘The penis is a vascular organ, meaning it relies on strong blood flow for both erections and maintaining tissue integrity. Poor cardiovascular health — caused by conditions like high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes — can lead to reduced blood flow and even fibrosis [scarring] of erectile tissue.
‘This not only contributes to erectile dysfunction but can also make the penis appear smaller due to lack of full engorgement.’
Visual shrinkage, therefore, can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.
For a 2018 study published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journal Circulation, researchers followed more than 1,900 men with an average age of 69 and diverse racial backgrounds.
Over 45 percent reported ED. Those with ED were more likely to have diabetes, a family history of heart disease, and use medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, and depression.
Maintaining heart health through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper medical management is one of the best ways to prevent both erectile dysfunction and penile shrinkage.
