A genetic lottery determines the size of our penises, so let's be grateful for every bit of them. Even so, most men have no idea that their penises can shrink over time and rob us of precious inches.

Wait . . . what, say that again?!

Yes, most men have no idea that their penises can shrink over time. And unfortunately, it's true that penis shrinkage happens and that your manhood will most likely get smaller as you age without proper care.

This fact is just one example of how, when it comes to sex, it's not always smooth sailing for us men. There's so much pressure on us to perform in the bedroom and to meet unattainable standards created by modern culture. Whether it's in adult films, mainstream television, or blockbuster movies, we are inundated with images of virulent, well-endowed men that get erections on cue and keep them for hours. But, unfortunately, our "equipment" rarely performs precisely how we want it to perform.

Right or wrong, this single determination plays a significant role in male identity. And, as if nature isn't cruel enough, our penis length, like our sexual performance, gets harder to maintain over time.

The good news is that you can prevent and even reverse penile shrinkage without resorting to drastic measures, such as penile enlargement surgery. So, please read on for our best advice on how to stop penis shrinkage.

Why Is My Penis Shrinking?

To state the obvious, the thought of losing penis length and girth is not a pleasant one for most men. To some men, it's downright terrifying. There is no single aspect of the human body that plays such a critical role in defining a man's identity as his manhood. A well-endowed man is often associated with greater masculinity, vigor, and sexual prowess - the bigger the manhood, the better the man. At least, that's what is reinforced in popular media, even if it's not true. So before we go any further, let's take a minute to clarify some facts related to penis size.

What Is A Normal Penis Size?

The highly regarded sexologist Alfred Kinsey conducted one of the most comprehensive medically reviewed penile size studies in history, and it was full of interesting findings. For this research, Kinsey examined more than 3,500 penises and found that the average flaccid penis length was 8.8 centimeters (3.5 inches), the average erect length ranged between 12.9 -15 centimeters (5-6 inches), and the average circumference of the erect penis was 12.3 centimeters (4.75 inches). More interestingly, 85% or so of women were satisfied with their partner's penis size, while only 55% of men were satisfied with their current penis size.

So, what does this tell us? First, you can still have great sex with a small package. Second, the average erection size is probably smaller than most men think. And, finally, men are more concerned about the appearance and size of their manhood than their sexual partners are. But whether you believe you are above or below average, no man wants penis shrinkage.

Regaining or Retaining Penis Size

Thankfully, that research shows that most partners don't focus on penis size anyway. There are many routes to fulfilling sex life, and a certain penis length is not required. Nevertheless, we have some essential tips for retaining or regaining penis size, such as keeping your penis in shape, using a medical-grade penis pump, and some simple medical advice about lifestyle. We also have some tips and tricks for how to make your penis look larger. Next, let's review the top causes for penile shrinkage and the best method to solve each issue.

What Are The Top 5 Causes For a Shrinking Penis?

1) Excessive Weight Gain

Men often wonder, does my penis shrink when I gain weight? Unfortunately, it is true, gaining weight can reduce penis size. As your belly grows, the penis gets pulled into the body. Not only does the penis appear shorter when a man's belly gets more prominent, but it also actually loses length because it is unable to extend farther from the body. While penile length remains intact, the bulk of the penis becomes trapped in the body's fat pad. As these fatty deposits increase in the abdominal wall, the penis can appear smaller. Experts estimate that for every 35 pounds of weight gain, there is a one-inch loss in apparent penile length! Excessive weight gain as men age can also affect healthy blood flow to the penis and therefore contribute to erectile dysfunction.

SOLUTION: Stay in shape, maintain a healthy diet, and take steps to improve your overall health. While we hear that advice all the time, nobody tells you that your penis might shrink if you don't do it! It sounds like an effective marketing campaign for a healthy lifestyle!

2) Disuse Atrophy (Use It Or Lose It!)

If you don't use your penis, it will shrink. It's true. Like any other part of the human body, the penis needs exercise regularly. What does that mean? Have sex as much as possible. Masturbate often. Produce erections and use them! 

These activities create blood flow to the penis, and therefore, they are beneficial for your health. It's helpful to understand that your penis is designed to be erect and filled with blood from time to time. A constantly flaccid penis promotes erectile shrinkage. If you go too long without an erection, collagen, smooth muscle, elastin, and other erectile tissues will begin to deteriorate, resulting in a loss of penile length and girth and limiting one's ability to achieve an erection. In a vicious cycle, loss of sexual function can lead to further erectile dysfunction as poor genital blood flow causes low oxygen levels in the blood vessels and genital tissues.

SOLUTION: Exercise your penis by being sexually active. Fill your erectile tissues with blood, keep your penile muscle cells healthy, maintain your erectile function, engage in healthy lifestyle habits, stop cigarette smoking, and improve your overall health. In addition, one of the best ways to keep your penis in great shape is to exercise your pelvic muscles.

3) You Have A Broken Or Damaged Penis

Yes, you can get a broken penis, and unfortunately, it's dangerous. It can occur during sex when the penis is accidentally jammed against the woman's pelvic bone, causing the cartilage in the penis to fracture. Breaking the penis may create an emergency that requires surgical repair, which is necessary to stop the bleeding and repair the damage and prevent the potential for Peyronie's disease. Peyronie's disease affects about one in 100 men and is a condition that causes the penis to curve, resulting in penile shortening, deformity, angulation, and pain.

Peyronie's disease is caused by both traumatic injuries to the penis or by the cumulative effects of chronic penile micro-traumatic (minor injuries) from sexual activities. As a result, scar tissue, which is rigid and inelastic, builds up in the penis and prevents proper expansion of the erectile tissue, chambers, and muscle cells. In the early phases of Peyronie's disease, some men notice a painful lump of scar tissue or hardness in the penis when they have an erection. Sometimes they have a bent or angulated erect penis. The pain disappears in its more mature chronic phase, but the hardness and curvature persist, often accompanied by penile shortening and narrowing. As a result of Peyronie's disease and the build-up of scar tissue, some men cannot obtain and maintain an erection.

SOLUTION: Be careful when having sex. If you notice a painful lump of erectile tissue or scar tissue, a bend, shortening, and deformity, see a urologist for management as Peyronie's disease is treatable once the acute phase is over and the scarring stabilizes. Likewise, if you experience a penile fracture after a miss-stroke - marked by an audible pop, acute pain, swelling, and bruising - head to the emergency room ASAP!

4) The Side Effects of Prostate Surgery

Prostate cancer affects one in nine men. Think about it - that is a huge number! Older men and African-American men are most likely to be diagnosed with an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. About 6 in 10 cases are diagnosed in men 65 or older, but it is rare in men under 40. The average age at diagnosis is about 66.

While it is critical to remove the problem to save lives, prostate surgery, particularly radical prostatectomy, often decreases penile length and girth. This reduction occurs because of damage to the nerves and blood vessels between the prostate gland and the colon. As a result, scar tissue from surgery often builds up. Together, this damage can reduce blood flow to the penis, cause erectile dysfunction, and lead to disuse atrophy and penile shrinkage.

SOLUTION: Resuming sexual activity as soon as possible after prostate surgery will help rehabilitate the penis and prevent disuse atrophy. Several effective penile rehabilitation strategies will help you get “back in the saddle,” including strengthening the male pelvic muscles and using a high-quality vacuum erection device.

5) You Have Low Testosterone

In the media, we hear about how we need to increase testosterone levels all the time. The truth is that this not necessary for many men. Even so, it is a fact that low testosterone can lead to penile atrophy and shrinkage. In light of that, men need to be aware that testosterone levels decrease with age, a condition known as andropause.

Several high-quality studies looking into this "male menopause" concept all agree that testosterone levels start to dip past 30, dropping by an estimated 1 percent each year. Consequently, libido decreases, morning erections occur less frequently, and erectile dysfunction increases. These changes all contribute to penis shrinkage.

Likewise, some men are required to reduce testosterone levels as part of their prostate cancer treatment. Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) is widely used as a form of therapy for cancer that suppresses testosterone levels.

As stated previously, since testosterone is an essential hormone for maintaining the health and the integrity of the penis, the low levels resulting from ADT can result in significant penile atrophy and shrinkage of your erectile tissue.

SOLUTION: This is a tough one. Because of the resulting low testosterone levels, most men have a diminished sex drive and lose interest in sex and "use it or lose it" becomes challenging.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is often prescribed for men with andropause. Here, they can opt for a shot of the hormone every two weeks. Alternatively, they can stick a hormone patch onto their skin daily. Or, they can apply a testosterone-infused gel on their upper back and arms or insert hormone pellets under the skin every two months. Even so, there are risks in using synthetic testosterone boosters, such as heart attacks, liver tumors, testicle shrinkage, developing man boobs, and male pattern baldness. Thankfully, there are many effective natural solutions to combat low testosterone that do not have side effects, including our SupporT Natural Testosterone Booster.

It's a different situation when it comes to men undergoing ADT. More so because some men on this deprivation measure have already had a radical prostatectomy and or pelvic radiation therapy, so often have compromised erections even before using androgen deprivation therapy.

One effective solution entails regularly using a medical-grade penis pump to create erections and prevent penile shrinkage. If the penis is regularly engorged with blood, shrinkage is less likely to occur. And as stated before, working to maintain an active sex life, even if less frequent, will undoubtedly help keep the penis healthy.

Maintain Your Health & Sexual Performance

Regardless of the size of the manhood that you are given at birth, you can improve your sexual health and performance. As men age, our sexual function diminishes, but we can fight these changes. First and foremost, engage in healthy lifestyle habits, stop cigarette smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and avoid weight gain. Second, maintain a healthy sex life, use your penis, which will keep your erectile tissue from shortening and shrinking. Finally, do your research (reading this is a good start), get the facts, and find the best products on the market to help you with your sexual health journey.