What’s The Big Deal About The Penis?
Whether you admit it or not, for men, having a large “member”, “rod”, “schlong”, “meat”, or any number of other self-proclaimed terms for the penis, REALLY IS a big deal. Despite women politely saying that penis size isn't an important aspect in a relationship. . . in private, they acknowledge that it does have a good degree of importance. And with this, most men know that when it comes to size, bigger is usually better . . . at least up to a point.
Why?
The root (sic) of this discussion begins with primitive tribal customs and ancient beliefs that well “endowed” males had more strength and power, supposedly being able to sire the largest number of offspring—at least in theory—and hence were deemed more valuable to members of the opposite sex. Translation? Guys who were “big” supposedly got more females. And guys who were “small” . . . well, they got what was left over.
Penis enlargement is, even today, a very important issue to men and it can be divided into two different categories; methods that are largely temporary . . . and methods that enable permanent penis enlargement.
It’s been reported that there are varying degrees of success (or lack of success) with temporary methods—specifically claims from different groups including those from pill and herbal supplement makers, and vacuum devices. Our focus, however, is on permanent methods of penis enlargement, exclusively penis surgery, because in virtually every instance, penis surgery, or Phalloplasty, generally results in permanent gains in both length and girth.
History of Phalloplasty
Today’s surgical Phalloplasty technique involves two aspects; lengthening and thickening. The lengthening technique actually began back in the early eighties, in Boston, as a surgical method to help children who were born with a congenital defect known as Micro penis (measuring less than 6cm erect). In this method, the surgical release of the ligament (suspensory ligament) that held the penis cradled from the pubic bone (S1-S5), allowed the penis to become extended, in many cases, up to six additional centimeters (roughly 2.4 inches). By the end of the eighties, a Chinese doctor improved the penis lengthening technique significantly, and he is generally credited as being the “inventor” of the technique for penis lengthening.
Thickening of the penis first appeared in Miami, again in early eighties, when a surgeon experimented with the technique of lipo sculpture—filling the penis with the patient’s own fatty tissue. It was the very first application of what is now termed FFT, or Free Fat Transfer, a method widely accepted as being the original technique that produced high success rates. Since then, another method of thickening has been employed by some surgeons—that of widening the penis using tissue grafts, or dermal matrix grafts, whereby the body generates new cellular growth on the graft substrate. But, in most cases, fat transfer or dermal grafts yield the same results.
Myths & Legends
Numerous tales about the penis’s place in history abound. From gods and Greek legends to Chinese myths . . . all seem to have a story about penis size in relation to power, strength, and longevity. Even Christianity in the Middle Ages plays a role. In virtually every instance, the depiction of a massive phallus size is representative of having higher virility, which, in truth, is entirely false.
How Does The Penis Work?
Short of functioning as a simple tube for the release of filtered wastewater from the kidneys, or urine, the Penis has a very useful purpose when erect. The length and width, in average men is ideal for procreation.
When sexually aroused, the spongy tissue areas that make up the penis, called the Corpus Cavernosum, and Corpus Spongiosum naturally fill with blood, making the penis become firm and erect making intercourse possible.
What Size Is Best?
The question of penis size is often viewed differently by men and women. Men universally say that having a large penis is paramount for having a good sexual relationship. Studies show that women, on the other hand, tend to change their viewpoint when asked about the question of penis size in public, versus what they say in private. Publicly, most women will affirm that it’s the male “technique” rather than the size that matters. Yet, when asked the same question in private, virtually all these same women say the opposite . . . size of the penis DOES matter.
So, what actually is the “average” size of the penis?
In a rigid state, the average size is 14-15cm in length (5.5” – 5.9”), and approximately 12cm (4.7”) in girth.
As for unusual sizes, it’s been reported that roughly one man out of 10,000 has a penis that is 25cm in length (9.8”) when erect. Approximately 3% of men have a 20cm penis (7.9”). About 15% of men have penises measuring seven inches. And the average male 75% have a penis measuring roughly 15cm in length (5.9”).
What About Being Too Small?
A genital condition known as Micro penis is often diagnosed at birth in a small number of males. As an adult, Micro penis refers to a penis that, when erect is less than 6cm(2.6”), and less than 7cm(2.76”) in girth. What is termed a small penis is one that is between 10-12cm erect in length or less than 9-10cm in girth.
Variations In Size By Country & Ethnic Origin
Depending on the country where one lives, it is said that there are differences in penis size. More accurately, penis size is a reflection on ethnic background rather than geographic origin. According to Andro Medical the following sizes are averages found from country to country:
France – average erect size equals 16cm, or 6.3 inches
Italy, Russia – average erect size equals 15cm
Mexico – 14.9cm
Germany – 14.4cm
Spain – 13.6cm
Japan – 13cm
United States – 12.9cm, or 5.1 inches when erect
Saudi Arabia – 12.4cm
India – 10.1cm
Korea – 9.6cm
Ethnic Origin plays a greater role in penis size than geographic locale. It’s been said that Black men are generally better endowed than Caucasian men. Some facts bear this out with the average black man having a penis size almost one centimeter in length greater than an average Caucasian man. Also of interest is that generally, Asian men or North American Indians are less in length than black or white men.
How To Alter Penis Size – From The American Academy of Phalloplasty Surgeons (AAPS)
AAPS Credentials & Indications
Once a year, the Academy of Phalloplasty Surgeons holds their annual meeting to discuss new advances and methods in surgical penis enlargement. The AAPS, a group of the most highly trained, experienced experts on all aspects of penis physiology, delves into such topics of implants, surgical techniques, methods, and even the very issue of Phalloplasty still being considered an “experimental” technique by many surgeons – even after decades of application. Needless to say, much of this label is, as a result of years of social debate over acceptance. Many liken it to the argument over female breast augmentation forty years ago.
Today, the majority of Phalloplasty procedures, over 75%, are performed by board-certified members of the AAPS. The criteria (indications) for deeming penis enlargement surgery appropriate are the following:
Medical Functionality – whereby surgery is deemed appropriate for men with penises less than 10cm in length (Micro penis), or 9cm in girth, directly affecting the ability of the individual to procreate. In many cases, the cost for surgical alteration to fix this condition is paid by insurance.
Genetic Malformation – when hypospadias, epispadias and/or fibroses, or Micro penis are indicated. Insurance carriers sometimes pay the costs for surgery, but every case is different.
Psychological or Aesthetic Need – this indication is based on the patient’s perceived need or want and in most instances, the cost of the surgery is borne by the patient.
Phalloplasty
The surgical alteration of the penis, called Phalloplasty, involves, in almost every instance (Aesthetic Need Indications), a change in the length and width (girth) of the shaft. Never are changes or alterations made to the Corona, or head of the penis. In fact, most of the surgical changes that occur are cosmetic, and not in any manner associated with the biological mechanisms of how the penis works. This assures the patient that the ability to enlarge to erection is never in risk of being altered.
Length Gain
Most men don’t know it, but only two thirds of the penis extends beyond the body. Inside the body cavity, there is roughly another 8-10cm of length (keep in mind that the average penis, in America, is roughly 13cm), which is suspended from the pubic bone by two connective tissues called ligaments. The suspensory ligament and fundiform ligament anchor the external tissue to the body.
When freed surgically, in every instance the penis will gain, in a flaccid state, roughly 2-3cm (there are 2.54cm per inch), making the appearance of the limp penis much greater. Gains in erect position vary considerably but can be equal or greater in size. Today, the cicatricial retraction that is common after surgery (in normal healing, a scar is formed, sometimes causing contraction of the tissues). This is usually controlled by counterweight until the healing is complete. There have been stated concerns about releasing these ligaments, for fear of damaging the proper elevation of the penis once severed. It’s been discovered, after years of surgery that the elevation of the penis is determined by pressure within the spongy tissues, not the effect of the ligaments themselves.
This procedure is extremely safe and virtually never creates any problems.
Girth Gain
The AAPS is consistent in its views on how to lengthen the penis. However, when it comes to thickening the penis shaft (no procedures address alterations to the Corona of the penis), there are two distinct avenues of belief.
Free Fat Transfer, or Lipo sculpture– this method involves a well-known method of transferring ones own tissue (fatty tissue – called grafts) taken from another part of the body. The fat tissue (grafts) is injected under the skin of the penis and is then molded to the right shape. The skin has the appearance of being thicker and depending on the skill of the surgeon, in most cases they acquire their own circulation and “take”, thereby becoming permanent. Surgeons who have developed their own “special” methods of preparing the fat grafts (some centrifuge the tissue, others wash the harvested tissue with special solutions) have scored the highest success of increasing uniform girth using this method, and most important, there is no chance of tissue rejection as is the case with Dermal Grafts (see below). As well, the scarring is minimal (usually only 1⁄4” across) because the only openings needed are for a harvesting or delivery cannula.
Dermal Grafts & Foreign Tissue Implants – another method of increasing the girth of the penis is through the use of grafting subcutaneous tissue from one part of the body to the penis. This procedure relies on the surgeon successfully peeling the epidermis from the harvested skin section, and then successfully placing it in the appropriate area(s) in the penis shaft. In some instances, collagen grafts are used, some taken from Cadaver flesh that’s been treated and thoroughly cleaned. While results are often reported as being good, the downside of this procedure is that it can result in two surgical areas (the harvested site and surgical site, unless a foreign graft is used), and sometimes, when the grafts are foreign material (such as AlloDerm®), there is a good chance of tissue rejection—in those rare instances this leaves the penis infected, and sometimes permanently deformed. Still, many AAPS surgeons have reported success with this method of girth enhancement, and again, the best results are solely because of the surgical skill of the physician.
Circumcision & “Other” Penis Alterations
Circumcision was supposedly practiced as early as 500BC by the Egyptians. Even today, there is much discourse about the benefits, or lack thereof, of circumcision. From a medicinal standpoint, it is said to permit greater hygiene, thereby allowing fewer genital diseases and infections for both men and women. Circumcision is performed on Jews, Muslims and Christians with the Jewish faith professing the ceremony a sign of a covenant with God.
Peyronie’s Disease
This disease, often affecting men in their mid-fifties, is a degenerative condition of the penis shaft that affects the elasticity of the spongy tissues on the sides and bottom of the shaft. It is found in men with diabetes and when the penis engorges with blood, the affected side(s), will not enlarge, thereby causing the penis to bend in one direction or another. Untreated, this disease can result in impotence. Surgical treatments are the usual method of dealing with the affliction, but new non-surgical methods, using stretching devices (traction devices such as the “Helping Hand Extender) show promise.
What Do Women Think?
Depending on who you ask . . . when you ask . . . and who is asking; women seem to have different answers to the question, “Is it better to have a bigger penis?”.
Many women say that size doesn't matter, until they’re shown a picture of a Micro penis patient, at which time they’ve been known to comment, “. . . you’re kidding, right?” Most of the time though, women will say that if the sex lives between them and their mate are adequate, then they are satisfied with the size of their mate. Some have been known to comment that a bigger penis means that they don’t have to “move” as much, and merely by laying there, they have greater pleasure. Other women, after seeing a overly large penis will comment that intercourse with a person with a penis that’s huge can become a painful experience.
Women seem to prefer a man with a slightly larger-than-the-norm penis size as it aids in sexual stimulation.
