introduction
The dimensions of the penis are subject to many variations that can be a consequence of the person’s state of mind (happy, sad, tired…) or of the temperature. It is well known that in cold weather the penis can appear dramatically smaller. In fact, it is recommended that the penis always be measured in erection. Also avoid measuring your penis when feeling stressed or tired, as this can reduce its actual size, even in erection.
Here is an informative chart showing the variations of penis size in various countries. The average penis size worldwide is 14cm.
Country | Average in erection | Average in flacidity | Country | Average in erection | Average in flacidity |
France![]() | 16 cm | 12 cm |
Japan![]() | 13 cm | 8 cm |
Italy![]() | 15 cm | 10 cm |
Brazil![]() | 13 cm | NA |
Mexico![]() | 14,9 cm | NA | USA![]() | 12,9 cm | 8,8 cm |
Germany![]() | 14,48 cm | 8 cm | Venezuela![]() | 12,7 cm | 9,5 cm |
Colombia![]() | 13,9 cm | 8,95 cm |
Greece![]() | 12 cm | NA |
Spain![]() | 13, 58 cm | 8,8 cm |
India![]() | 10,2 cm | NA |
Chili![]() | 13,3 cm | NA |
Korea![]() | 9,6 cm | 6,9 cm |
The different parts of the penis: body and glans.
The glans The glans is conical, covered by a muquous membrane, of a pinkish colour when the penis is in flacidity and dark red in erection. On top of the glans you can see a small slit: the urinary meatus This little slit is at the end of the uretra (the exit canal of urine and sperm). |
![]() |
The base of the glans is round: it is called the corona and is the limit of the sillon balano-prepucial. The corona can sometimes be covered with little pearly white drops, which is normal, they are called pearly penile papules.
The enlarged and bulbous-shaped end of the corpus spongiosum forms the glans penis, which supports the foreskin ;or prepuce, a loose fold of skin that in adults can retract to expose the glans. The area on the underside of the penis, where the foreskin is attached, is called the frenum ;(or frenulum).
The glans is the most sensitive part of the penis, it can be quickly irritated or infected, this is why it is highly recommanded to have a good daily personal hygiene. To clean your glans, just tear back the foreskin and use water and soap.
The most common form of genital alteration is circumcision: removal of part or all of the foreskin for various cultural, religious, and more rarely medical reasons. For instance, most of US citizens practice circumcision for hygiene reason. It is also common to cut the foreskin when it is too tight to enable retraction, that genital alteration is called phimosis. Adult circumcisions are often performed without clamps and require 4 to 6 weeks of abstinence from masturbation ;or intercourse after the operation to allow the wound to heal. There is controversy surrounding circumcision. Advocates of circumcision argue, for example, that it provides important health advantages which outweigh the risks, has no substantial effects on sexual function, has a low complication rate when carried out by an experienced physician, and is best performed during the neonatal period. Opponents of circumcision argue, for example, that it is a practice which has historically been, and continues to be, defended through the use of various myths; that it interferes with normal sexual function; is extremely painful; and when performed on infants and children violates the individual's human rights. | ![]() |
Penis shaft
The human penis is made up of three columns of tissue: two corpora cavernosa lie next to each other on the dorsal side and one corpus spongiosum lies between them on the ventral side.
![]() |
The penile corpora cavernosa is surrounded by a fibrous envelope very strong, called the tunica albuginea. The primary physiological mechanism that brings about erection is the autonomic dilation of arteries supplying blood to the penis, which allows more blood to fill the three spongy erectile tissue chambers in the penis, causing it to lengthen and stiffen. The now-engorged erectile tissue presses against and constricts the veins that carry blood away from the penis. More blood enters than leaves the penis until an equilibrium is reached where an equal volume of blood flows into the dilated arteries and out of the constricted veins; a constant erectile size is achieved at this equilibrium. The penis shaft is held by the suspensory ligament to the coxal bone and to the ASB muscles located at the center of the abdominal wall. One of the various penis enlargement technique is to cut the suspensory ligament but in that case when the penis is in erection it looks down instead of pointing upwards near the body. |
Penis disorders and alterations
One of the most common penis disorders is penis curvature. Indeed, few penises are completely straight, with curves commonly seen in all directions (up, down, left, right). Sometimes the curve is very prominent but it rarely inhibits sexual intercourse. Curvature as great as 15° is considered normal and medical treatment is rarely considered unless the angle exceeds 30 °. Changes to the curvature of a penis may be caused by Peyronie's disease. Sometimes it may appear at birth or it can be the result of a penis fracture when the penis is bent excessively during sexual intercourse.
![]() | Most of men have a slight penis curvature but when it is important and make sexual intercourse impossible, it is highly recommanded to consult with an andrologist or urologist that will advise you a treatment for bent penises. |