The average penis size has always been of interest and concern to everyone, even young men, who is interested in how it grows. It’s quite understandable that teenagers tend to be insecure and sceptical of what they think of as a comparatively big penis. The onset of social media and having access to all data means that most people have unrealistic and unwarranted notions about how big is their penis. We’ll explore in this article the average penis length in 16-year-old males and dispel some of the commonly held misconceptions.
First and foremost, let’s be clear there is no ‘normal’ or ‘ideal’ penis size. The human body is unique and evolves at its own rate. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a 16-year-old’s average penis measures between 3.5 and 5 inches when flaccid and 5 to 7 inches when erect. Yet it is perfectly acceptable for a 16-year-old to be outside this range. Likewise, it’s important to understand that penis size doesn’t influence sexual pleasure or performance. It’s just one feature of sexual anatomy, and it has nothing to do with how successful you are at getting a partner.
This is one of the most common misconceptions about the size of your penis: it is not directly proportional to race or ethnicity. Everyone thinks African men have bigger or smaller penises, respectively. But there is no scientific evidence for this. One paper in the British Journal of Urology International reported no difference in penis size across races. Another misconception is that a man’s shoe size determines his penis size. This belief is neither scientific nor even a myth.
Additionally, you must be aware that the size of the penis varies considerably at puberty. Puberty generally hits between the ages of 9 and 14, and it may take years for a boy’s body to fully mature. During this period, the penis will gradually grow in size and length. During puberty, boys often undergo growth spurts and can affect the size of their penises as well. Thus, one should refrain from equating oneself to others and work on one’s growth.
The genes also affect the size of the penis. Like any other physical attribute, penis size is inherited from your parents. If a boy’s father or other male relatives has a bigger or smaller penis, then the same is probably the case for him. But this isn’t always the case, and it’s perfectly reasonable for a 16-year-old to have a bigger or smaller penis than his father.
Additionally, the size of the penis is not fixed and fluctuates throughout the life of a man. Weight loss, hormones and age can also change the shape and size of the penis. It is perfectly normal for a man to have his penis get smaller or larger during some points in his life.
Weight Gain
Weight gain is one of the conditions that can affect the shape and size of the penis. If men get a lot of fat in their bodies, particularly in the stomach region, the penis can appear to decrease in size. That’s because the fat in the pubic region can almost entirely cover the tip of the penis, making it appear shorter and thinner. However, notice that weight gain does not shrink the penis physically but just changes its size in relation to external stimuli that increase its visibility. Conversely, losing weight makes the penis seem bigger without altering its size.
Hormonal Changes
Hormones also play a role in affecting the size of your penis. Hormones help shape and sustain sexual traits, such as the size and function of the penis. Hormone levels can change during a man’s life because of stress, disease or old age. These hormonal changes can alter the size and function of the penis in a number of different ways.
For example, testosterone is the primary hormone regulating growth and survival of the penis. When testosterone drops (as it does in old age or a variety of diseases), the penis can appear to shrink or contract. That’s because testosterone maintains the structure of penises, and low testosterone can reduce the length and width of the penis.
Conversely, high levels of certain hormones, including cortisol (the stress hormone), can affect penis size and function. Stress, caused by an ongoing increase in cortisol levels, reduces testosterone levels and consequently, decreases the size of the penis. In addition, stress can impact sexual performance and appetite, adding to the effect of the narrow penis.
Aging
Men age many different things, including the penis. Though the penis never really stops expanding, there may be small growth changes in size over the course of a man’s lifetime as a result of hormonal fluctuations and ageing.
A possible risk factor for a larger penis as we get older is decreased erectile function. When men grow older, erections may lessen in quantity and quality, rendering the penis smaller. Because the penis needs both blood pressure and muscle tone to stay erect, and age-related changes in cardiovascular and muscular status can influence whether or not the penis becomes and remains fully erect. Further, aging decreases in testosterone can also result in decreased erectile function and a reduced penis size.
You will want to keep in mind that, although some variation in penis size and function can be experienced as we age, these differences are rarely excessive, and should not affect a man’s sexual health or well-being too much. Furthermore, an active lifestyle (such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management) can mitigate any of the potential downsides to aging that may impact the size and function of the penis.
Conclusion:
Simply put, a 16-year-old’s penis will typically be 3.5 to 5 inches when lying down and 5 to 7 inches when standing. And more importantly, you must accept that penis size is never the most positive measure of sexual wellbeing: neither does it define worth nor sexual power. The other is to dispel as many penis-size myths as possible and get on board with body positivity and self-acceptance. You are an individual with a unique body, and no two individuals will have the same penis size.
