Study reveals the average penis size may be different to what you think…

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A study featuring more than 15,500 men has revealed the average penis size, and it may be different to what was previously considered the “norm”.

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The research analysed seventeen studies combined, with data for more than 15,500 men, which showed that the average length of an erect penis is 5.16 inches (13.12 cm), and 3.6 inches (9.16cm) when flaccid.

This goes against the widely accepted norm that the average penis length is six inches.

As well as length the researchers looked at girth, with the average erect penis being 4.59 inches (11.66cm) around when erect, and 3.66 inches (9.31cm) when flaccid.

Scientists at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), tracked penis lengths and girths ranging from 1.9 inches (4.8cm) when erect up to 8.3 inches (21.2cm).

Psychiatrists also involved in the study said they hoped that its findings would help men who suffer from “small penis anxiety”, who may be worried that they measure in smaller than average.

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They said that the analysis of the data, including graphs showing a range of sizes, would be able to shed new light on what is considered “normal” penis size.

The findings were published in the BJU International journal, and researchers said they could be helpful in counselling men who are worried about their size.

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A standard procedure was used by health professionals in the 17 studies on 15,521 men to measure the length and girth of their penises.

Dr David Veale of King’s College London said: “We believe these graphs will help doctors reassure the large majority of men that the size of their penis is in the normal range.

“We will also use the graphs to examine the discrepancy between what a man believes to be their position on the graph and their actual position or what they think they should be.”

These findings represent the first formal systematic review of penis size measurements and attempt to create graphical depictions of penis size distribution.

While the study looked at a large number of men, it did not consider different penis sizes across different races.

Researchers involved expressed concern that men’s penis size could be a contributing factor in Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Dr Martin Baggaley, medical director at South London and the Maudsley, said: “Body Dysmorphic Disorder causes a person to have a distorted view of how they look and they can spend an obsessive amount of time worrying about their appearance. This can include worries over their weight, specific parts of their body and, for men, the size of their penis. This can take over someone’s life and cause a great deal of distress.

“Hopefully this new study will help reassure those many men who are concerned with their penis size and assist clinicians dealing with BDD.”

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A separate study last year found that one in five men are unhappy with the size of their penis.

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