The phenomenon of penile atrophy often occurs in individuals who have suffered injuries, undergone castration, are affected by male pseudohermaphroditism, or have testicular deformities. Additionally, all causes of erectile dysfunction are “culprits” leading to penile shrinkage.
Causes of Penile Atrophy
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Prolonged anxiety is one of the causes of penile atrophy (Image: bankruptcycanada) |
Dr. Pierre Bondil from France suggests that penile atrophy in older adults is a clinical sign of decreasing male hormone levels related to aging.
From the age of 40 onward, testicular cells begin to degenerate. Testosterone levels gradually decrease, leading to reduced sexual desire, infrequent sexual intercourse, and a smaller and shorter penis.
In addition to age-related causes, a stressful and anxious life can further contribute to penile shrinkage due to a factor that Bondil has not mentioned – adrenaline. Adrenaline is released more when a person is in a state of stress, fear, or prolonged sadness.
The phenomenon of penile atrophy due to adrenaline can be explained as follows: Under the influence of adrenaline, the smooth muscles in the corpora cavernosa and the smooth muscles surrounding the blood vessels in the penis are more frequently, persistently, and continuously constricted. This constriction reduces blood flow to the penis, causing its size to diminish.
For individuals experiencing early-stage penile atrophy, there is a noticeable reduction in penis size, difficulty achieving firmness as before, quicker loss of erection, and a softer penis that seems to shrink. It takes longer to become erect, but the firmness does not meet expectations, and there is a tendency for premature ejaculation, leading to a decline in sexual quality.
Individuals at Higher Risk of Penile Atrophy
On average, the penis length of a newborn baby ranges from 2.1 to 3.5 cm, at ages 2-3 it measures about 4.3 cm, at 10 years it is approximately 5.13 cm, between 11-16 years it grows to 6-11 cm, and by 18 years of age, it reaches its full size of 12-13 cm. When erect, the penis size can increase by 6-7 cm.
If the erect size is below 8 cm, it is considered a small penis. However, a size of 6 cm is still sufficient to fulfill “responsibilities” in marital life, depending on technique and the quality of intercourse.
Penile atrophy often occurs in individuals who have suffered injuries or undergone castration, are affected by male pseudohermaphroditism, or have testicular deformities. Furthermore, all causes of erectile dysfunction are considered “culprits” that lead to penile shrinkage, including excessive masturbation.
Older adults, individuals with diabetes complications, prolonged stress, and those with long-standing hypertension are at the highest risk for penile atrophy due to vascular and nerve damage. Meanwhile, masturbation and Peyronie’s disease directly damage the corpora cavernosa of the penis due to the physical friction involved in masturbation, leading to the hardening of cells and loss of elasticity.
It is crucial to detect the clinical symptoms of penile atrophy as early as possible. These symptoms include a smaller penis, excessive softness, lack of warmth during erection, a bluish tint to the skin, coldness, a non-pink glans, and the appearance of wrinkles or keratinization.
The process of penile atrophy typically occurs quite rapidly, within a span of 5 years. Patients may feel as though their penis is disappearing, even though it remains a small object that lies beneath yet has completely lost the capabilities endowed by nature.
