How Big is the Average Penis (And Other Male Questions Answered)

Summary

This script delves into the intricacies of male physiology, addressing common curiosities and misconceptions. It explains the causes of unexpected erections, the composition of semen, and the impact of testosterone on male development. The video also tackles the reality of male baldness, the average penis size, and the effectiveness of enlargement methods. Furthermore, it discusses the significance of the foreskin, the placement of testicles, and the debate between boxers and briefs. The script aims to educate and normalize the dialogue around male health and anatomy.

Takeaways

• 😳 Men experience unexpected erections due to hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty when there's a surge in testosterone.
• 🌡️ Morning erections, or 'morning wood', are common and related to the body's natural testosterone increase during sleep.
• 💧 Wet dreams in males are not solely due to sexual dreams but are linked to hormonal changes and brain activity during sleep.
• 🏥 Premature and delayed ejaculations can have various causes, including hormonal imbalances and psychological factors, and can be treated with medical interventions.
• 💉 Semen is composed of only 1-5% sperm, with the rest being a mixture of fluids from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands.
• 🏃‍♂️ Males do not run out of sperm as the body continuously produces new sperm cells, with millions being generated daily.
• 🚫 The average speed of ejaculation is about 28 miles per hour, highlighting the force behind the release of sperm.
• 👨‍🦲 Male-pattern baldness is often genetic and can be influenced by sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a sex hormone.
• 🩲 The choice between boxers and briefs for men comes down to personal comfort and does not significantly impact sperm production or health.
• 🔍 There is no scientific evidence to support the correlation between foot size and penis size, debunking common myths.

Q & A

Why do men experience unexpected erections?

Men may get unexpected erections due to a sudden surge of testosterone during puberty or hormonal fluctuations in adults, which can occur without sexual thoughts or stimulation.

What causes morning wood?

Morning wood, or waking up with an erection, is related to higher levels of testosterone in the morning, which is a result of the body producing fewer inhibitors during sleep, allowing testosterone to rise.

How does nitric oxide relate to erections?

Nitric oxide plays a role in causing erections by relaxing certain muscles in the groin and increasing blood flow into the penis, similar to how nitrous oxide is used as an anesthetic by dentists.

What is the average length of a penis when erect?

The average length of an erect penis is between 5.1 and 5.5 inches (13 to 14 centimeters), while a flaccid penis averages about 3.61 inches (9.2 centimeters).

Do men run out of sperm?

No, men do not run out of sperm. The body continuously produces new sperm cells; a man's testicles can generate several million sperm every day.

What is the speed of ejaculate?

The average male ejaculate travels at approximately 28 miles per hour, which slows down significantly once it is ejaculated.

Why do men lose hair?

Hair loss in men, often referred to as male-pattern baldness, is commonly due to genetic factors and sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a sex hormone.

Can treatments reverse male baldness?

Treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride can help slow hair loss and promote some regrowth, but results vary and treatments often need to be ongoing to maintain effects.

Is there a correlation between foot size and penis size?

No, there is no significant correlation between foot size and penis size, as concluded by medical studies including one that measured both attributes in men.

What is the function of the foreskin?

The foreskin is a double layer of skin and mucus membrane that covers the head of the penis when flaccid, possibly serving as a protective layer, but its exact purpose is not definitively known.

Why are testicles located outside the body?

Testicles are outside the body to maintain a cooler temperature necessary for sperm production, which is sensitive to the internal body heat of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Male Physiology Mysteries

This paragraph delves into common male physiological occurrences, such as random erections, particularly during puberty due to hormonal fluctuations like a surge in testosterone. It explains that erections aren't always sexual and can be triggered by non-sexual thoughts or situations. The text also addresses the growth of male genitalia during puberty, the role of nitric oxide in causing erections, and the normalcy of morning erections due to testosterone levels being highest pre-waking. Additionally, it touches on nocturnal emissions (wet dreams), which are linked to hormonal balances and stress relief rather than specific dream content.

05:05

💧 Semen and Ejaculation Insights

Paragraph 2 discusses various aspects of male ejaculation, including the composition of semen, which is largely made up of substances from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands, with only a small percentage being actual sperm. It addresses concerns about running out of sperm by explaining the continuous production of sperm through spermatogenesis. The paragraph also covers the speed of ejaculation, comparing it humorously to a speeding vehicle, and the journey sperm takes post-ejaculation, which can vary in speed and time to reach the egg. It concludes with a discussion on treatments for premature and delayed ejaculation, highlighting medical and behavioral therapy options.

10:05

👨‍🦲 Hair Loss and Male Patterns

Paragraph 3 explores the reasons behind male hair loss, focusing on genetic factors and sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It mentions potential treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride, along with more invasive procedures such as PRP injections and hair transplants. The economic impact of hair loss on the razor industry is noted, as well as the timing and variability of puberty onset in males, which has been observed to occur at earlier ages, possibly due to environmental factors, stress, or obesity.

15:07

🎙️ Puberty's Vocal Changes and Penis Size Misconceptions

This paragraph addresses the changes in the male voice during puberty, attributing them to the influence of testosterone on the larynx and vocal cords. It also discusses the common misconception about the average penis size, clarifying that it is smaller than many men believe and that size does not significantly impact sexual function or partner satisfaction. The paragraph further investigates methods to increase penis size, such as penis pumps, jelqing, and surgical options, while cautioning about the risks and lack of scientific backing for some of these methods.

20:09

👣 Debunking Foot Size and Penis Size Correlation

Paragraph 5 clarifies the myth that there is a correlation between foot size and penis size, supported by studies showing no significant link. It also discusses Peyronie's Disease, a condition causing penile curvature and potential erectile pain, and its treatment options. The paragraph ends with a discussion on erectile dysfunction (ED), its prevalence, potential causes, and the importance of seeking medical advice to address underlying health issues that may be contributing to ED.

25:11

✂️ Circumcision, Testicle Temperature, and Underwear Preferences

The final paragraph discusses the purpose and history of male circumcision, the potential increased risk of HIV for uncircumcised men, and the debate over the health benefits of different types of men's underwear. It explains the biological reason for the external location of the testicles, which is to maintain an optimal temperature for sperm production. The choice between boxers and briefs is presented as a personal preference based on individual comfort and temperature needs, with no definitive health advantage for either.

Keywords

💡Erection

An erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes engorged with blood and enlarges, resulting in a stiff, upright position. In the video, it is discussed as a common occurrence that can happen unexpectedly, especially during puberty due to hormonal fluctuations. The script explains that erections are not always sexually induced, and can be triggered by a surge in testosterone, as exemplified by a male student experiencing an unexpected erection during a math lecture.

💡Testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in the development of male reproductive tissues and the promotion of secondary sexual characteristics. The video script highlights that fluctuations in testosterone levels, particularly during puberty, can lead to unexpected erections and other physiological changes. It's noted as a key driver behind the growth spurt in the testes and penis, and its levels are highest in the morning, which can lead to morning erections.

💡Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide is a molecule that helps in the process of vasodilation, allowing muscles to relax and increasing blood flow. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as one of the molecules that cause the penis to fill with blood during an erection by relaxing muscles in the groin. The script interestingly draws a parallel between nitric oxide's role in erections and its use in medical anesthetics like nitrous oxide.

💡Morning Wood

Morning wood, or nocturnal penile tumescence, refers to the common occurrence of waking up with an erection. The video explains that this is normal and related to the body's natural hormonal cycle, with testosterone levels being highest right before waking. The script clarifies that morning wood is not necessarily a result of sexual dreams, but rather a physiological response to the body's hormonal balance during sleep.

💡Wet Dreams

Wet dreams, or nocturnal emissions, are involuntary ejaculations that occur during sleep, typically associated with puberty. The video script suggests that they are not directly linked to the content of one's dreams but are more related to hormonal balances and brain stimulation during sleep. It is posited that they may serve as a stress-coping mechanism, releasing pleasure chemicals like dopamine.

💡Semen

Semen is the fluid released during male ejaculation, composed of sperm and various other components like enzymes, proteins, and mucus. The video script delves into the composition of semen, explaining that only a small percentage of it is actual sperm, with the majority coming from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands. It clarifies a common misconception about the composition of semen and its role in reproduction.

💡Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which sperm cells are produced in the testes. The video script addresses the high sperm count in each ejaculation and reassures that men do not run out of sperm due to the continuous process of spermatogenesis. It provides a fascinating insight into the male reproductive system's capacity to produce sperm at a rate of approximately 1,500 per second.

💡Ejaculation Speed

The speed of ejaculation refers to how fast semen is expelled from the penis during orgasm. The video script humorously notes that the average male ejaculate travels at about 28 miles per hour, providing a vivid comparison to the speed of a running bull elephant. This detail serves to emphasize the force behind ejaculation and adds an element of intrigue to the discussion of male reproductive physiology.

💡Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness is a common condition that causes hair loss in men, typically resulting in a receding hairline and thinning on the crown of the head. The video script discusses this condition in the context of genetic predisposition and sensitivity to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It explores potential treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride, highlighting the complexity of addressing hair loss and the role of genetics and hormones in the process.

💡Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie's Disease is a condition where scar tissue develops inside the penis, causing it to curve and potentially leading to painful erections. The video script touches on this topic to explain how the disease can impact sexual function and the various treatment options available, including traction therapy, medications, and surgery. It serves as a reminder of the complexities and vulnerabilities of male anatomy.

💡Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. The video script addresses this widespread issue, noting its potential correlation with other health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and gum disease. It emphasizes the importance of seeking medical advice for ED, as it can be an indicator of more serious underlying health problems.

Highlights

Men experience unexpected erections due to hormonal fluctuations, particularly during puberty.

Testosterone surges are linked to the growth of male genitalia and can lead to random erections.

Nitric oxide plays a role in causing erections by increasing blood flow to the penis.

Morning erections, or 'morning wood', are common and related to testosterone levels being highest before waking.

Wet dreams are theorized to be a result of hormonal balancing and brain stimulation during puberty.

Premature ejaculation affects about 1 in 3 men and can be treated with creams, medications, and therapies.

Delayed ejaculation may be caused by psychological factors, physical issues, or certain drugs affecting serotonin levels.

Semen is composed of only 1 to 5 percent sperm, with the majority being other fluids from the male reproductive system.

Men do not run out of sperm as the body continuously produces new sperm cells throughout life.

The average speed of ejaculation is about 28 miles per hour, faster than in many residential areas.

Male-pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men and is linked to genetics.

Treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride can help with hair loss, but results vary and may require continuous use.

Puberty in males can start as early as 8 years old, and the average age has been decreasing.

The voice changes during male puberty due to the growth of the larynx and the influence of testosterone.

The average erect penis size is between 5.1 and 5.5 inches, and a flaccid penis is about 3.61 inches on average.

Penis size is generally overestimated by men, and the majority of studies show that women prefer average sizes.

Methods to increase penis size include pumps, exercises, and surgery, but their effectiveness and safety can vary.

There is no correlation between foot size and penis size, as concluded by multiple studies.

Peyronie’s Disease causes penile curvature and can lead to painful erections and potential shortening of the penis.

Erectile dysfunction affects a significant number of men and can be a sign of other health issues.

The foreskin may have evolved as a protective measure for the sensitive glans penis.

Testicles are located outside the body to maintain a cooler temperature necessary for sperm production.

The choice between boxers and briefs for men's health depends on personal comfort and temperature preferences.

Transcripts

Why do guys get random erections?  What actually comes out of the male  

genitalia? How come men lose their hair?  And the coup de grâce of all questions:  

what is the average length of a penis?  Get ready because all of your questions  

are about to be answered, and you  might be surprised by what you learn.

Let’s dive right into things with one of  the most awkward occurrences for males and  

one of the most awkward questions in this  video: why do men get unexpected erections?

For teenagers, and sometimes even for  adults, it seems that there is no rhyme  

or reason for when an erection can occur.  There are situations when it’s obvious why  

a male gets aroused, such as when someone they  find attractive is around, but during puberty,  

a male doesn’t even need to be thinking  about sex for him to get excited down there.

Erections can occur unexpectedly due to a  sudden surge of testosterone in the body.  

That is why a male going through puberty  might be in the middle of a lecture on  

the Pythagorean theorem and end up with an  erection. It’s not that the guy finds the  

Pythagorean theorem sexy—although puberty can be  a confusing time in someone’s life, so it is not  

out of the realm of possibility—instead, the  more likely reason for the unexpected erection  

has to do with the hormones in the body being  all out of whack due to developmental changes.

Speaking of the genitalia, before a male even  begins to go through his growth spurt in height,  

he goes through a growth spurt in his testes.  This growth occurs because the testes are where  

testosterone is produced, and males need a  lot of this hormone to experience the rest  

of puberty-related changes. Basically, with  the growth of the testes, more testosterone is  

produced, and the male can start his awkward  journey into becoming a man. Soon after the  

testes start to grow, the penis follows. The time  between these two sex organs growing can vary,  

but at some point, both the testicles and penis  will become larger. The surges of testosterone  

during this time in a male’s life are likely  one of the reasons for unexpected erections.

And to be fair, similar surges in testosterone  can happen in adult bodies as well, which can  

explain why even full-grown men can get  unexpected erections at the most awkward  

times. And while we’re on erections,  something else males should know about  

them is that one of the molecules associated  with causing the penis to fill with blood,  

which is what causes erections, is nitric  oxide. It does this by relaxing certain  

muscles in the groin and increasing  arterial blood flow into the penis.

This is pretty odd because nitric oxide  works similarly to nitrous oxide, which  

is what doctors use as an anesthetic. So, the  male body causes the penis muscles to relax and  

go to sleep in a similar way to a dentist using  nitrous oxide to make their patient do the same  

thing during a root canal. It may seem odd to  relate dental surgery to getting an erection,  

but the molecules used in both actually  serve similar properties and purposes.

What about morning wood, a.k.a. when a man wakes  

up with an erection after sleeping? Is  this normal? How often should it happen?

Just like unexpected erections, this has to  do with the hormone testosterone. Researchers  

have found that testosterone levels tend to  be highest in the morning, right before men  

wake up. Surprisingly, this is not because the  male body is producing more testosterone, but  

because it produces fewer inhibitors during sleep  than during the day. You can think of the process  

like this. Throughout the day, a male’s brain and  nervous system actively monitor different hormone  

and chemical levels. If testosterone levels get  too high, the body releases inhibitors to stop its  

production or to lower the levels of the hormone  in the body. However, when a male is sleeping,  

the brain is not as active, and testosterone  levels are allowed to reach higher levels.

Therefore, when a male wakes up in the morning,  it’s not uncommon to have an erection or morning  

wood due to higher levels of testosterone  circulating around in the blood. In fact,  

research has shown that testosterone is at  its highest levels right after REM sleep,  

which is when someone is dreaming, and the rest  of the body is at its most relaxed. A male doesn’t  

even need to dream of anything erotic to wake  up with morning wood, as testosterone levels  

will increase during any type of dream. So,  morning wood is completely normal for males;  

it happens pretty frequently, and it does not  mean they are dreaming of sex every night.

This brings us to a messier question:  what about wet dreams? Is the male  

ejaculating in his sleep actually the result  of dreaming, or is it something else entirely?

Wet dreams typically occur when a male  is going through puberty. However,  

the reason for these unwanted  nocturnal ejaculations is pretty  

surprising. Similar to morning wood,  wet dreams have more to do with what  

is being produced in the body than what  the male is actually dreaming about.

If you didn’t already know, it’s typical  for males to ejaculate in their sleep,  

and there doesn’t need to be any kind of  physical stimulation for it to happen. The  

scientific community isn’t entirely sure why  males going through puberty have wet dreams,  

but it’s theorized that they occur due to  the balancing of hormones, the stimulation of  

different parts of the brain, and the development  of mature genitalia during this stage of life.

To be clear, men can still experience this  sticky phenomenon even after puberty. It’s  

much less common but can still occur. Some  researchers suggest that having frequent orgasms  

during waking hours could reduce the amount of  wet dreams someone has during their nocturnal  

slumber. This is a fancy way of saying that  the more masturbation someone does while awake,  

the fewer wet dreams they will have while asleep.  So, some medical professionals actually suggest  

that to avoid wet dreams, males should actually  masturbate more. Other research suggests that  

wet dreams are just a coping mechanism to  help males deal with stress during puberty  

or at other points in their lives.  This is because during wet dreams,  

or any time that a male orgasms, dopamine,  and other pleasure chemicals are released  

into the brain. This has been shown to  lower stress levels and reduce anxiety.

Let’s keep on riding the ejaculation  train and discuss premature ejaculations  

and delayed ejaculations. What are  they, and can they be prevented?

As the name suggests, premature ejaculation  occurs when a male ejaculates before they want  

to. This is fairly common, with around 1 out  of 3 or 33% of men between the ages of 18 and  

59 experiencing the problem. Once again, medical  professionals are not entirely sure why it occurs,  

but they have a short list of causes that  may contribute to premature ejaculation.  

The first is an imbalance in serotonin,  which is a hormone and neurotransmitter.

It’s hypothesized that low amounts of serotonin  in the brain may result in ejaculation happening  

quicker and, therefore, prematurely. Another  factor could be age. As men get older,  

their erections typically become shorter, hence  why drugs like Viagra are so popular. However,  

a side effect of shorter erections  may be premature ejaculations,  

even if the penis is still erect and the  person wants to keep going. Regardless of age,  

many medical professionals think that premature  ejaculation could also be influenced by stress or  

depression. The chemicals in the brain that are  attributed to these feelings could result in a  

male prematurely ejaculating as the body battles  with itself to maintain some kind of homeostasis.

Luckily, there are several treatments for  premature ejaculation. Topical creams and  

sprays can numb the region, which can  result in reduced sensations and longer  

times between arousal and ejaculation.  There are also prescription medications  

along with behavioral therapies that could  address the underlying causes of the issue.

The opposite of premature ejaculation is  delayed ejaculation, which can be just  

as frustrating. Some reports suggest that in  certain situations, ejaculation can be delayed  

for as much as 30 to 45 minutes after sex. You  can probably see why this would be a problem as,  

at that point, the male may have already gotten  dressed and started making breakfast for their  

lover when all of a sudden… you get the idea.  Experts think that delayed ejaculation could  

have a psychological connection to trauma,  along with some physical causes as well.

If a male is experiencing delayed ejaculations,  they might have blocked ducts in their vas  

deferens, which connect the testicles to the  urethra, where it all comes out. More serious  

issues could be that there is nerve damage in  the pelvic region or to the spinal cord. Some  

research suggests that certain drugs, especially  those that have an effect on serotonin levels,  

could cause delayed ejaculation. Treatments for  this issue should be discussed with a medical  

professional, as they will be able to work with  a patient to identify the best course of action.

This brings us to a basic  question that many people have:  

what is that stuff that comes out of the  penis? Or, more precisely, what is semen?

What makes this bodily fluid so unique is the  journey that it takes to be created. When a man  

ejaculates, the substance that comes out  of the urethra is called semen. You may  

be surprised to learn that semen actually  isn’t made up of very much sperm. In fact,  

only about 1 to 5 percent of the liquid  is actually composed of sex cells.

Most of what makes up semen isn’t even  created in the testicles like you might  

think. Three different areas of the  male body are needed to generate and  

mix together all of the different components  of semen. Sperm is created in the testes,  

and when a man ejaculates, it begins its  journey through the seminal vesicles,  

where a yellowish fluid that consists of water,  sugar, proteins, enzymes, and mucus is mixed in.  

This substance is what around 70% of the semen is  actually made up of. After the seminal vesicles,  

the liquid passes through the prostate, where a  fluid containing enzymes and other molecules is  

added. Just before ejaculation, the fluid  goes through the bulbourethral glands,  

which secrete lubrication to allow  the sperm to pass out of the urethra.

For many males, a terrifying  question passes through their  

minds at one point or another as  their hormone-filled body tends  

to expend a lot of ejaculate during  puberty. Can a male run out of sperm?

In each ejaculation, there are around 100 million  sperm. That is a huge number. If you were to count  

to 100 million without any breaks or sleep, it  would take you over 3 years. And all of that  

sperm is forced out of a thin tube at high  speed. “How fast are the sperm blasted out  

of the male when he ejaculates?” you may ask. We  will answer this question in a moment. But first,  

let's answer that burning question about running  out of sperm. Even though with each ejaculation,  

a male loses approximately 100 million sperm,  the body is constantly making new sperm cells.  

In fact, during spermatogenesis, which is the  process of making sex cells in males, a man’s  

testicles can generate several million sperm every  single day, or approximately 1,500 sperm a second.  

By the end of one spermatogenesis cycle, a  male can create around 8 billion new sperm.

This process happens all of the time throughout  a male’s entire life. Therefore, men never run  

out of sperm, which is one of the reasons that  doctors recommend vasectomies for men of all  

ages who want to continue having sex but do not  want to have any more children. That being said,  

the sperm produced, especially at the later stages  of life, are not always healthy or viable. There  

are also some diseases and disorders that can  cause sperm counts to drop dramatically and cause  

infertility. But the main takeaway is that the  vast majority of men will never run out of sperm.

Now, getting back to the speed of ejaculation, the  average male ejaculate travels at approximately  

28 miles per hour. That is faster than the speed  limit in many residential neighborhoods. This  

means that every time a male ejaculates, he could  receive a speeding ticket. To put it into context,  

when a man is having sex and ejaculates, his  sperm is shot into his partner at the top speed  

of a running bull elephant. Granted the sperm are  much smaller than an elephant, it’s still nuts!

Once the semen is ejaculated,  its speed immediately slows down,  

and the sperm continue their journey through  the female reproductive system at a much slower  

speed. It ‘s pretty much guaranteed that  all 100 million sperm will die as only one  

can fertilize the female’s egg, and even that  doesn’t always happen. The time it takes from  

ejaculation to when a sperm reaches the egg  can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours.

Let’s now step away from the male reproductive  system for a bit and focus on some other questions  

that need to be answered. One problem that  has plagued men for as long as humans have  

been around is baldness. What causes men to  lose hair, and can anything be done about it?

There are several factors that cause  a man’s hair to fall out. However,  

the most common reason has to do with their  DNA and what is known as male-pattern baldness.  

This is caused by genes received from a  male’s parents and affects approximately  

30% to 50% of men around the world. Another  common problem that causes baldness is that  

some men’s bodies are extremely sensitive to a  sex hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT,  

which can lead to hair loss. For men who  are sensitive to DHT, their hair follicles  

shrink over time until they stop growing. For men  with baldness in their genes, their DNA contains  

instructions that, at some point, terminate the  production of new hair follicles or the proteins  

associated with the growing of new hair. In both  cases, the follicles tend to shrink over time due  

to hormone regulation in the body, which causes  finer hair until it stops growing completely.

This logically brings up the next  question: can hair loss be reversed?

The good news is there do seem to be some  treatments that can cause hair to last longer and,  

in certain situations, regrow. For example,  the topical treatment called Minoxidil,  

the active ingredient in Rogaine, has been shown  to promote hair growth, performing best when used  

on scalps that have recently lost hair towards the  back of the head. Unfortunately, Minoxidil doesn’t  

always work, and like most treatments, if the  baldness is genetic, it ends up being much harder  

to regrow lost hair. The other problem is that  once someone starts using Minoxidil and it works,  

they have to keep using it, or any progress  toward regrowing their hair will be lost.

Another drug, Finasteride, is a pill that  suppresses the production of dihydrotestosterone,  

resulting in a reduction of hair loss.  Supposedly, this treatment works slightly  

better than Minoxidil but has the same caveat that  once you start taking the pill, you can’t stop, or  

hair loss will resume. More invasive treatments,  such as Platelet-Rich Plasma or PRP injections,  

can also stimulate hair growth. PRP is injected  into the scalp, which then promotes hair growth.  

This is done using PRP from a patient’s own  blood and is done over several sessions.  

Then there are hair transplants, which is  when a doctor moves hair follicles that are  

still growing and transplant them onto the  bald spots on the head. A huge problem with  

these treatments is that they can come with  astronomical bills. And since these medical  

procedures are not important to maintaining  your health, insurance will rarely cover them.

Interestingly, men tend not to have a problem  growing facial hair for much of their lives.  

The crazy part is that there are around 15,000  hair follicles on the male face alone. That’s  

not even counting the ones on top of a man’s  head! Even the youngest-looking post-puberty man  

still has no less than 7,000 hair follicles on his  face, according to Gillette Razors. And all those  

follicles mean that the razor industry  generates around $20 billion annually.

Let’s talk a little more about  puberty now before we get into  

the measuring penises discussion.  When does puberty occur in males?

Everyone is different. This means that every  male will have slightly varied experiences  

during this time of their life. Some males  will start puberty as young as 8 years old,  

while others won’t go through it until sometime  after 14. Most males begin the process somewhere  

in the middle of this range, but the exact  age at which puberty starts can differ widely.

The weird thing is that puberty in both  males and females begins to occur at an  

earlier age. Researchers have found  that as the 20th century progressed,  

the average age a boy goes through puberty  started to shift. Some researchers have  

claimed that this may be a result of exposure  to certain synthetic chemicals that interfere  

with the way the body regulates its hormones.  If the chemicals are causing testosterone and  

estrogen to be produced and released at an  earlier age, this could be one explanation  

for why males and females are going  through puberty younger than ever before.

Other researchers attribute this  shift to biological factors. It  

has been proposed that the higher levels of  stress associated with living in developing  

cities or a fast-paced society may cause the  endocrine system, which produces hormones,  

to get out of whack. It has also been  suggested that childhood obesity may  

throw off the hormone regulation in a  young person’s body, which could result  

in puberty occurring at a younger age as well.  According to the National Institute of Health,  

about 17% of US children are considered obese.  This statistic is much higher in underserved  

communities that do not have access to healthy  food options. Puberty occurring earlier in life  

is likely the result of a combination of things  and should be closely monitored going forward.

During puberty, the male voice tends to change,  

and it is very common for the voice to break or  crack mid-sentence. But why does this happen?

As a male goes through puberty, testosterone is  dumped into his bloodstream and carried around  

the body by the cardiovascular system.  The testosterone signals the voice box  

to undergo changes, allowing the voice to  become lower and deeper. This happens due  

to the cartilage in the voice box growing  in size and thickness. With larger vocal  

cords and more space for them to vibrate  in, the pitch of the voice becomes lower.

During puberty, the larynx itself starts to  move down, and the “Adam’s apple” begins to  

protrude from the neck. At the same time,  the bones of the face also grow larger. All  

of this new space and the increased size of the  voice box allow the male voice to resonate at a  

lower frequency. The growth and shifting of  structures in this area of the body causes  

the embarrassing voice cracking that most males  go through during puberty. Since the voice box,  

vocal cords, and the skeletal structure itself  are changing, the brain needs to adjust to produce  

the proper sounds. Unfortunately, since this is  all new to the male, mistakes happen. Sometimes,  

too much air is pushed through the  larynx, causing the voice to crack.

This is no fault of the person; it’s just  a strange side effect of them going through  

puberty. And just as a side note, human  males are not the only animal that goes  

through a vocal change during puberty.  Male apes and other animals also develop  

lower sound ranges. It‘s not entirely clear  why males need to produce a lower register,  

but some evolutionary biologists believe  that it has to do with attracting a mate.

We will now get into the long-awaited question:  

how big is the average penis? But before we  get there, let’s start with some good news.

If you have a penis, it’s about twice as long  as you think it is! That’s probably really  

exciting news for most men. Now before you get  too excited and go off bragging to your friends,  

let’s be clear, about half of the muscles that  make up the penis are inside the body. This is  

because the sex organ needs to be connected  to the rest of your body systems so it can,  

you know, work. If you were to dissect a human  male and take out the entire reproductive system,  

you would see that about half of the penis  is within the body, and when measuring it,  

the male’s entire penis is twice as long  as what can be seen just on the outside.

Now onto the penis size question.

The average size of the penis is between 5.1  and 5.5 inches or about 13 to 14 centimeters.  

Now that is for an erect penis. The average size  of a flaccid penis is approximately 3.61 inches  

or 9.2 centimeters. Researchers have found from  numerous studies that men tend to overestimate  

what the average penis size actually is  and assume that it sits around 6 inches.  

This is not the case. A 6-inch genitalia  is above average. This number likely came  

from older studies where men reported their  penis size to be longer than it actually was,  

and the 6-inch penis just became ingrained  in the psyche of males across the world.

Interestingly, the length of the average  erect penis seems to have increased in the  

last several decades. Researchers believe this  has to do with males reaching puberty earlier,  

as discussed previously. The increasing  average could also have to do with larger  

body sizes as more of the world’s population  gains access to a wider variety of foods  

along with hormone-altering substances that  have found their way into people’s lives.

The next logical question  is, does penis size matter?

The scientific answer is that no, it doesn’t  matter. A below-average-sized penis and an  

above-average-sized penis both function just  as well for the purpose they were meant for:  

procreating and urinating. But what  about desirability? Do women favor men  

with bigger penises? The vast majority of  studies suggest that women prefer partners  

with average to slightly above-average  penis sizes. This includes both women  

reporting on one-night stands and in  long-term relationships. Saying that,  

most people note that they are happy with  their partner’s penis size regardless of  

what it is. Therefore, penis size does not seem  to matter for either function or desirability.

Even still, some people might be wondering  if there is a way to increase penis size.

The short answer is yes. The longer answer is  that the methods used to increase penis size are  

oftentimes only temporary and make a marginal  difference at best. Then there are the miracle  

drugs or methods that claim to increase penis size  by inches but actually can cause some serious harm  

and health hazards. Here are some size-increasing  methods that can be used with some effectiveness.

Penis pumps are one way to cheaply increase  size slightly. The premise behind a penis pump  

is that it uses suction to draw more blood  into the penis, thus making the sex organ  

bigger. An erection is just blood filling  the penis to make it “hard.” Therefore,  

it stands to reason that the more blood in  the penis, the larger it will get. A penis  

pump will have this desired effect but only  temporarily. The pump can be supplemented by  

a penis ring that will keep the blood in the  penis for longer, and thus extending the life  

of the engorged erection. As long as the penis  pump is used correctly, it’s harmless. However,  

overpumping or severely restricting  the circulation of blood using a penis  

ring can have detrimental side effects that  could warrant a trip to the emergency room.

There are also stretching exercises that can  be done to increase penis size slightly. This  

is known as jelqing and basically involves  the male creating a circle around his penis  

with his thumb and index finger and pulling  the penis skin away from the body. The idea  

is that this will create micro-tears in the  skin that, when healed, will make the penis  

look thicker. Jelqing supporters provide  testimonials that the massaging works,  

but there is no scientific evidence  to support this form of elongation.

A much more invasive way to increase penis size  is through surgical implantation of a synthetic  

silicone device. This will permanently increase  the size of the penis for a hefty cost. This  

is basically like breast implants but for the  penis. The surgery will add artificial length,  

but the pain during recovery can be excruciating.  With all of these penis enlargement methods,  

it is always best to talk with a medical  professional to ensure you are healthy  

enough for the procedure and understand  how each one could impact your body.

Another penis-related question has to do  with another body part as well. We’ve all  

heard the saying, “You know what they say  about big feet,” or some rendition of the  

phrase. But is there any correlation  between foot size and penis size?

The answer is no. One study was conducted by  two urologists or medical professionals that  

specialize in the urinary system, measured  the feet and penis length of 104 men.  

They found there was no correlation between  shoe size and penis size. This is by no means  

the only study that has come to this conclusion.  The general consensus among medical professionals  

is that there is no significant connection  between a man’s foot and the size of his penis.

On another penis-related note, you may  have heard of Peyronie’s Disease and  

have some questions about how much  it can impact the shape of a penis.

Peyronie’s Disease happens when scar tissue  develops on the penis and causes it to curve in  

a significant way. The curvature can be so extreme  that it can cause erections to be incredibly  

painful. Some males that have Peyronie’s Disease  only have a slight curve, which means getting an  

erection is bearable, but as the penis becomes  more and more bent, things can get really bad.  

Peyronie’s Disease can curve the penis to an  angle where the male can no longer have sex.  

And if that wasn’t unpleasant enough, the disease  can also cause the penis to shorten in length.

There are ways to mitigate and reverse the  effects of Peyronie’s Disease before things get  

out of hand. A doctor might recommend traction  therapy if the disease is caught early, which  

would place the penis in a cradle that applies  tension in order to straighten the sex organ,  

preventing length loss and limits the curving.  There are some medicines that can be taken,  

but the evidence of how successful each is  varies. In the most extreme circumstances,  

surgery is used to remove scar tissue and  straighten the penis. In other situations  

grafting can be used to fill in the parts of the  penis that have been surgically removed. Doctors  

could also recommend implants to change the shape  of the penis after the scar tissue has been cut  

away, especially if the disease led  to a significant loss of length.

If you were fortunate enough to be born with  a normal penis, you might still be afflicted  

with the very common problem of erectile  dysfunction. So, what is the deal with ED?

It’s estimated that erectile dysfunction affects  between 18 and 30 million men in the United  

States alone. Globally, around 40% of men are  affected by ED in some way by the age of 40. The  

basic definition of erectile dysfunction  is when a male has a problem getting or  

maintaining an erection. There are several types  of medications that can be used to eliminate ED,  

but the problem is that this ailment could be  signaling bigger problems in the male body.

There have been a number of studies that  connect chronic gum disease and erectile  

dysfunction in men. So, for males, it’s  extra important to maintain healthy gums,  

especially if they want their penis to work  properly. In a national study in Taiwan,  

it was found that men with periodontitis, which is  a severe gum infection, were more likely to have  

erectile dysfunction. Although more studies  and research need to be done, just to be on  

the safe side, males should definitely start  taking better care of their gums and teeth.

Conditions such as heart disease, high blood  pressure, and high blood sugar levels may all  

be a cause of erectile dysfunction. And  since these can all be life-threatening,  

i’is always good for a male to check with  their doctor if they are experiencing  

problems down there. The malfunctioning penis  may seem unrelated to these other conditions,  

but everything is connected in the body. Doctors  have also found correlations between erectile  

dysfunction and diabetes as well. And,  although we often think of ED as being  

a problem for elderly men, this is not always the  case. Erectile dysfunction can occur at any age,  

which means if it happens, even if you feel  it’s embarrassing, a doctor should be consulted.

Is there are reason that males are born  with foreskin around the tip of their penis?

The foreskin itself is a double layer of skin,  and a mucus membrane, that covers the head  

of the penis when it’s flaccid. The foreskin  most likely served as some form of protection  

for the penis in the distant past  before humans developed clothing. It  

may have prevented dust or other outside  particulates from entering the urethra,  

or perhaps it was a shield against unpleasant  bug bites on the sensitive head of the male  

member. As of right now, we do not  know exactly why men have foreskins.

According to the World Health Organization,  uncircumcised men have a higher risk of  

contracting HIV. This is because cells  called Langerhans cells found in the  

mucus under the foreskin are highly  susceptible to the HIV virus. These  

cells give the virus an entry point into  the body where it can begin to target a  

man’s white blood cells and dismantle  their immune system. On the other hand,  

the WHO found that men who are circumcised  have a reduced risk of contracting HIV by 60%.

Circumcision of this piece of skin dates all  the way back to artwork in Egyptian tombs from  

around 2300 B.C.E. The removal of the foreskin  became common as a right of passage in Jewish  

and Muslim religions long ago, but it was in the  1800s that foreskin removal got really weird.  

During the 19th century, circumcision gained  favor in the realm of public health. It was  

claimed that by removing the foreskin, a man  could be relieved of antisocial behavior or  

even paralysis. The foreskin was also blamed  for decreasing a man’s sexual pleasure and,  

therefore, was often removed. Even though  none of these benefits are founded in science,  

this piece of the male body definitely  hides secrets other than the tip.

For any male who has been  hit in the gonads before,  

the pain can be excruciating. This begs  the question: why are the testes on the  

outside of the body instead of safely  secured within the pelvic region?

There is a certain cost-to-benefit ratio when it  comes to the location of the testes. On the one  

hand, they are the part of the body that produces  sperm, which allows the male to reproduce. This  

means that they should be protected at all costs.  On the other hand, testicles need to remain at a  

certain temperature in order to produce healthy,  viable sperm. The internal temperature of the body  

is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celcius),  which is not conducive to the sperm production  

process. Therefore, the testes are outside of the  body to keep them cool, and whenever they need to  

be warmed up, the cremaster muscles tense, leading  to the testicles being pulled closer to the groin.

And this brings us to the all-important question:  

boxers or briefs? Which is  better for men’s health?

The answer to this question depends on  who you are and what goals you have. It  

has been suggested that wearing briefs may not  be the best option for men trying to conceive  

as these types of underwear cause the testicles  to be warmer than boxers. As mentioned before,  

sperm do not do as well in hot environments,  and this is why the testicles are not inside  

the body. That being said, most research on the  subject suggests there is no real difference in  

sperm production and viability between men who  wear boxers and those who wear briefs. This is  

likely because the temperature difference  between the two is only a few degrees.

On the other hand, briefs do tend to support the  genitalia better and are tighter than boxers. So,  

if someone is looking for a little extra  support and doesn’t mind their groin being  

a little warmer, then briefs are the way  to go. Conversely, if a man wants to have  

better airflow and cooler netherregions,  boxers might be for him. Either way,  

it doesn’t seem like there is a right or wrong  answer to the question boxers or briefs. Instead,  

it just depends on who you ask and  what they want from their underwear.

Now watch “50 Insane Facts About  the Female Body.” Or check out  

“Why Men Have to Wait and Women Don't  - Refractory Period (Sex Education).”