Penile Shrinkage: Causes of and Treatment for a Shortened Penis

No man likes to hear the words shortened and penis in the same paragraph much less the same sentence. However, many men experience either temporary or permanent penile shortening at some point in their lives. Most times the shrinkage doesn’t measure up to more than a half inch or less. Regardless, a slightly shorter member doesn’t need to affect a man’s ability to have a long, healthy, and very satisfying sex life. Let's examine the causes of penile shortening and how to treat a shortened penis.

Shortened Penis: Common Causes

There are several culprits for shrinking penis length. Here are a few of the most common:

1) Aging – It’s the common cause of everything; it’s age. Over time there is a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries which reduce blood flow to the penis. This then leads to the withering of the muscle cells in the erectile tissue of the penis.

2) Obesity – Seen a lot of guys on the Weight Watchers app lately? It’s no surprise! It’s commonly quoted that for every 20 pounds of fat a man loses, he regains half an inch of length in his Johnson. How can this be? Men who carry weight, especially in the lower abdomen, have the appearance of a shorter spud. This is because a thick fat pad surrounds the shaft of the penis. The more weight, the more the penis is enveloped in the fat. However, once a man begins to lose weight, he’ll notice his penis peeking out a bit further as the numbers drop.

3) Scar Tissue – Men, especially active men, have a risk of minor penis injuries from anything from contact sports to cycling to sex. These minor “traumas” to the penis cause scar tissue. Over time, this scar tissue builds up around the spongy erectile tissue in the penis and can inhibit the size and stamina of erections.

4) Prostate Surgery – For men who’ve recently had prostate surgery, there is a known commonality in losing 0.78th of an inch, according to studies out of Japan. However, most researchers report that the shortening is temporary and within one year, the penis should regain its full size. The temporary change may have to do with the urethra’s movement immediately after surgery and then its movement back a few months to a year down the line. Research is still being done to identify the exact cause.

5) Peyronie’s Disease – Peyronie’s is a disease marked by a 20 to 30 percent curvature in the penis. It generally happens to men over the age of 40 and has been shown to affect up to 20 percent of the male population. Peyronie’s can be quite painful and cause a man extreme discomfort when urinating, having an erection, or participating in intercourse. It can significantly reduce the length and girth of the penis. Treatment for Peyronie’s (mentioned below) can also reduce penis size permanently.

Shortened Penis: Treatment

There are several ways to treat penile shortening. Here are a few that greatly help when it comes to maintaining erectile function:

- Stay active and eat a healthy diet.

- Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight to reach a healthy weight. This tip can help men reclaim length literally before their eyes.

- Stay away from smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow which is what makes penis magic happen.

- Have regular erections. Erections fill the penis with oxygen-rich blood, this keeps the muscles and tissues strong and has shown to prevent shortening.

- Enjoy sex but use caution when attempting positions that can put the penis at odd angles, and therefore, more open for injury.

- Wear protective gear during contact sports.

- Men who are cyclists should use a padded seat and adjust the angle of the seat to put the minimum amount of pressure on the genital area.

For men who've had prostate surgery, wait a year and in most cases, the length will return. Some doctors also recommend penile rehab which can include everything from exercises to medications to special devices to boost blood flow to the penis.

Men with Peyronie’s may want to attempt surgery, medication, or other modalities like ultrasound therapy to break up scar tissue. Penile shortening, in this case, cannot be reversed so the main goals would be to adjust the curvature, reduce pain, and of course, restoring the sex life with a slightly modified penis. But hey – it’s an adventure, right?

In addition to the treatments above, a man may benefit from using a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) daily to strengthen and protect the penis. These specially created crèmes provide vitamins and nutrients like vitamins A, B5, C, D, and E topically to strengthen collagen productions and cellular function. Amino acids like L-Arginine and L-Carnitine help to protect the penis from nerve damage and promote healthy blood flow. In addition to feeling great, this extra step helps keep the penis strong and vigorous.