Scientists are becoming concerned after the size of the average penis rose by 25 percent over a 29-year period.
Researchers from Stanford University published their striking findings in the World Journal of Men’s Health, revealing the size of the male member had grown significantly since the late 20th Century.
The study of 55,000 men found there had been a dramatic increase in penis size from 12.19 centimetres in 1992 to 15.34 centimetres in 2021.
However, while some may consider this positive news the results of the study, led by Michael Eisenberg, suggest that the opposite may be the case.
Part of the concern is down to what has caused the accelerated increase in the size of penises with factors including sedentary lifestyles and substances that disrupt hormones playing a role.
Super Deporte reported that scientists are also concerned by what has happened to the sperm inside men with the quality dropping by 60 percent. This, the study suggests, is down to an increase in genital defects and tumours and a decrease in sperm count and serum testosterone levels.
As a result, while the average size of the penis may have increased there could be negative connotations. The study concluded that the causes of larger penises should be investigated.
This isn’t the first time that an increase in penis size has been noted. Earlier this year, a study found that British penises were on average nine percent bigger despite the fact the country only ranks 60th for the world’s longest penises.
As to why men’s penises are getting longer, Dr Richard Viney from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham suggested that it could be to do with the weight loss drug Ozempic and how that drug changes penis perspectives.
He explained: “Men’s penises shorten as they get older (due to) increasing body fat and increasing prostate size drawing the penis back into the body. It’s possible there may be an Ozempic effect. As men lose weight, their penises appear larger.”
NowPatient pharmacist Navin Khosla added that while having a larger penis can be a source of pride for men, at the end of the day it was all down to preference and attraction.
They said: “Just like how some people prefer different fashion styles, eye colours, or characteristics in a partner, some people are more attracted to larger penises or breasts, while others prefer smaller ones.”