If you occasionally worry about the look and size of your penis, you are not alone. Nevertheless, the fact is that penises, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. While there is truly no “normal” when it comes to the penis, there are a few things people may want more information on with regards to this specific organ.

What is the average penis size?

Pornography and erotic materials may have distorted society’s perception of the average penis size in that people may assume that the average penis size is larger than it is. Research shows that the average flaccid penis length is 3.6 inches (9.14 cm), and the average flaccid penis circumference (girth) is 3.7 inches (9.40 cm). The average erect penis length is 5.1 inches (12.95 cm), and the average erect penis circumference is 4.5 inches (11.43 cm).

Additionally, some individuals with penises may have a larger flaccid penis that does not change much in size when they get an erection. Conversely, some people with penises see a more significant change in size when their penises go from flaccid to erect. Both situations are perfectly normal.

Is it normal to have a curved penis?

It is common to have a slight curve in the penis to the right or left. Generally, a minor curve in the penis does not cause any problems or issues with penetrative sex. However, there may be times when a curve in the penis is so severe that it prevents a person from being able to have sexual intercourse. For cases in which the bend in your penis worsens over time, becomes painful, or causes discomfort to you or your partner during sex, it is a good idea to see your health care provider. This may be indicative of a medical condition such as congenital penile curvature (a penile curvature that has been present since birth) or Peyronie’s disease (a penile curvature that develops later in life due to scar tissue).

Is penile discharge normal?

Discharge from the penis that occurs with sexual arousal is normal and is likely pre-ejaculate (or precum). On the other hand, penile discharge that is not associated with arousal and is accompanied by other symptoms such as heat, pain with urination, or an unpleasant odor, can be a sign of infection from a sexually transmitted disease (STI) or smegma (a substance made up of dead skin cells and oils).

Are erectile difficulties common?

Erectile dysfunction (ED), or the inability to get and maintain an erection firm enough for a satisfactory sexual experience, is a common condition. It can be caused by physical issues (e.g., obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, low testosterone, etc.) or psychological issues (e.g., performance anxiety, relationship problems and their fallout, mental health conditions, etc.) However, just because erectile difficulties are common does not mean that a person should have to suffer through them. If you are experiencing difficulties with getting erections, talk to your health care provider about identifying the potential cause and finding a treatment option that will work for you.

References:

• Cleveland Clinic. (2023, May 8). Penile Curvature. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17345-penile-curvature
  
  
• Nichols, H. Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, MD. (2019, December 6). Reasons for discharge in males. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327228
  
  
• Veale, D., Miles, S., Bramley, S., Muir, G., & Hodsoll, J. (2014). Am I Normal? A Systematic Review and Construction of Nomograms for Flaccid and Erect Penis Length and Circumference in Up to 15,521 Men. BJU International, 115(6), 978-986. https://bjuijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bju.13010