Does Penis Size Shrink With Aging?
Yes, penis size can decrease with aging, though this is primarily associated with specific medical conditions and treatments rather than normal aging alone.
Age-Related Changes in Penile Dimensions
While the provided guidelines focus primarily on testosterone decline and Peyronie's disease rather than direct measurements of age-related penile size changes, the evidence suggests several mechanisms through which penile dimensions may be affected:
Testosterone Decline and Penile Changes
Testosterone levels decline at an average rate of 1.6% per year starting in men's mid-30s, with approximately 20% of men over 60,30% over 70, and 50% over 80 having low testosterone 1.
Age-related low testosterone is associated with decreased volume of ejaculate, loss of body and facial hair, and various sexual symptoms 1.
Research indicates that about 30% of men in their 60s and more than 80% of men over 80 may have a low free testosterone index, which can affect overall sexual function 2.
Disease-Specific Penile Shortening
The most significant documented penile shortening occurs with specific medical treatments and conditions:
Androgen suppression therapy combined with radiation therapy for prostate cancer causes statistically significant penile shortening (mean decrease from 14.2 cm to 8.6 cm at 18 months follow-up, p <0.001) 3.
Peyronie's disease, which typically presents in men in their mid-50s, can cause penile shortening along with curvature and deformity 1.
Patients with Peyronie's disease report concerns about the physical appearance of their penis and negative impacts on masculine self-image 1.
Normal Aging Effects
Age-related decreases in erectile capacity and sexual function occur but are related to decreasing sensory/neural and autonomic functioning rather than direct structural changes 4.
Erectile function declines with age, which may create the perception of size changes even when flaccid dimensions remain stable 4.
Clinical Implications
For men concerned about penile size changes with aging:
Normal aging alone does not typically cause dramatic penile shortening in the absence of specific medical conditions or treatments 5.
Patients undergoing prostate cancer treatment with hormonal therapy should be counseled before therapy that penile shortening may occur 3.
Men with Peyronie's disease may experience both shortening and deformity, particularly younger men with symptoms present for less than six months who may experience some natural improvement 1.
Important Caveats
Penile augmentation surgery carries severe risks including sexually disabling penile deformity, severe shortening, curvature, infection, and sexual dysfunction 6.
The correlation between subjective patient perceptions of penile dimension changes and objective measurements is limited 1.
Testosterone replacement therapy in men with age-related low testosterone shows only small improvements in sexual function (SMD 0.35 for global sexual function, 0.27 for erectile function) and is not recommended for improving energy, vitality, or physical function 1.