April 28th, 2016
With advancing age, human body undergoes metabolic, hormonal and physical changes. In most normal individuals, these changes are physiological and does not drastically interfere with normal day to day activities. For example, greying of hair, appearance of wrinkles and age lines, declining energy levels and sagging of skin are some examples. But you may it rather disturbing that size and dimensions of certain organs may also change with aging process.
Most men complaints that their penis shrinks or reduce in size with age. Although, in some cases it may just be an illusion (for example, with weight gain or abdominal obesity, the size of penis may appear shorter than it actually is). But it is also true that some degree of shrinkage and other changes are quite possible with aging. It is noteworthy that this is not an overnight happening. Due to metabolic and hormonal changes, the process starts as early as mid-40s.
According to a new study, investigators suggested that an average man can lose up to 1 – 1.5 cm of penile length by the time he turn 65 years.
Besides reduction in size, other changes in the length and morphology of penis include:
But don’t think aging only make things worse. Some positive age related changes include
Testosterone is the most vital male hormone that plays a major role in maintaining physical and sexual functions. However, after 30, the secretion of testosterone declines gradually. According to a study conducted on laboratory mice, investigators suggested that male penis has a rich concentration of androgen receptors that responds to serum testosterone levels. With advancing age or declining testosterone levels, the receptors send negative signals that leads to involution (or degradation of penile tissue); thereby presenting as shrinkage of penis (1). Besides declining testosterone and androgen receptor insensitivity, other factors can also contribute to these changes. These are:
Some oral preparation such as Tadalafil helps in improving the overall quality of sex life in certain situations (such as post- prostatectomy penile shortening and ED). Besides pharmacological preparations, certain surgeries and procedures can also do wonders. For example, according to a study reported in the World Journal of Urology (4), investigators analyzed the clinical outcome and quality of results in elderly males (over the age of 75 years), who underwent penile inflatable prosthetic implant surgery. Based on the data obtained from 216 patients, it was observed that patient satisfaction score and sexual performance was excellent in males over the age of 75 years (95%).
If reduction in penis size is asymptomatic, you may not need any treatment or management. However, if changes in size are significant and/or interfering with your capacity to enjoy healthy sex, you should speak to your doctor regarding possible treatment options.
1. Rajfer, J., Namkung, P. C., & Petra, P. H. (1980). Identification, partial characterization and age-related changes of a cytoplasmic androgen receptor in the rat penis. Journal of steroid biochemistry, 13(12), 1489-1492.
2. Berookhim, B. M., Nelson, C. J., Kunzel, B., Mulhall, J. P., & Narus, J. B. (2014). Prospective analysis of penile length changes after radical prostatectomy. BJU international, 113(5b), E131-E136.
3. Veale, D., Miles, S., Read, J., Troglia, A., Carmona, L., Fiorito, C., … & Muir, G. (2015). Phenomenology of men with body dysmorphic disorder concerning penis size compared to men anxious about their penis size and to men without concerns: a cohort study. Body image, 13, 53-61.
4. Chung, E., Solomon, M., DeYoung, L., & Brock, G. B. (2014). Clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction rates among elderly male aged≥ 75 years with inflatable penile prosthesis implant for medically refractory erectile dysfunction. World journal of urology, 32(1), 173-177.
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