Since society often assumes that bigger penises mean better sex, it’s no surprise that many guys become obsessed with the size and growth of their members. Questions like “When does the penis stop growing?” or “How can I make my dick bigger?” are some of the most common queries typed into search engines, all in hopes of finding a way to improve what they already have.
But here’s the thing: penis growth usually happens earlier than most people expect. In this guide, we’ll explore when the penis typically starts and stops growing, bust some common myths about penile growth, and clarify whether there are any real, effective procedures to make your penis bigger and thicker. But before doing that, let’s have a quick refresher about the penile anatomy.
Anatomy of a Penis
The penis is a male reproductive organ that carries semen and urine to the outside of the body, as well as producing the secreting male sex hormones. It comes in three main parts.
- Glans or Head – It’s the plump or cone-shaped tip in your penis and the part that has the opening so that the ejaculation and urine get to come out. If you’re uncircumcised, there’s a loose layer of skin called the foreskin that covers your glans. But in some cultures, it’s normal to surgically remove it, also known as circumcision.
- Shaft or Body – This is the longest part of the penis and is pretty much shaped like a tube or cylinder.
- Root or Base – This part is attached to the body and has three erectile tissues: the two crura and the bulb of the penis. It also includes two muscles called the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus.
When Does the Penis Start Growing?
The penis typically starts growing during puberty, which is the period when a child develops to reach sexual maturity. For people assigned male at birth, this usually begins between 9 and 14 years old. However, puberty can start earlier or later than that range, depending on certain conditions that might speed up or delay its onset.
Aside from the penis becoming bigger and longer, someone going through puberty will also notice changes like a larger scrotum and testes, which can sometimes look uneven. Other changes include the growth of pubic hair, swelling around the breast area, a deeper voice, increased skin oiliness, acne, and more frequent erections.
Factors influencing penile growth include genetics, hormone levels, nutrition (especially during pregnancy), and exposure to environmental pollutants.
When Does the Penis Stop Growing?
Now, onto the main question, penises usually stop growing by the time a person reaches 18 or 19 years old. As mentioned earlier, some people might still experience slight growth into their early 20s, but for the most part, penile growth happens before hitting your 20s.
Penis growth during puberty isn’t the same for everyone. According to Healthline, the average growth rate is under half an inch per year between the ages of 11 and 15. After that, growth still happens but slows down significantly, usually tapering off by around age 19.
As for average penis size, a study published in the British Journal of Urology International found that the average flaccid penis is 3.61 inches long, while the average erect penis is 5.16 inches. When it comes to girth, the flaccid penis averages about 3.66 inches around, and the erect one is around 4.59 inches.
So, for those checking out this guide hoping their penises might still grow in their mid-20s or early 30s, it’s very rare for natural growth to happen at that stage. But hey, if you’re already close to the average size, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Can You Make Your Penis Bigger?
Now, some of you might be wondering why some guys are obsessed with their penis size or feel unsatisfied with their current length and girth. The truth is, there’s a lot of harmful messaging out there that ties a man’s worth or sexual performance to how deep he can penetrate.
Because of this, many people go to great lengths to try and make their penis longer or thicker. Creams like Titan Gel, pills, pumps, exercises, and even surgery are some of the methods people turn to in hopes of increasing their size.
However, none of these methods are guaranteed to work.
There’s still no fully effective or safe procedure to permanently increase penis size. While there are anecdotal claims that methods like penis pumps or stretching exercises can help, the results are usually temporary.
We understand the frustration that can come with feeling insecure about your penis size. However, if your penis isn’t in the micropenis range (less than 3.6 inches when erect), it’s possible to manage and enjoy your current size. There are plenty of ways to enhance your experience and confidence.
One option that might help is a penis sleeve, also known as a cock sleeve, penis cover, or penis sheath. This elastic tube slips over the penis and is typically made of stretchable materials like silicone, soft plastic, or PVC. It’s primarily used to enhance both the length and girth of the penis while also reducing sensitivity, leading to longer erections.
Myths About Penis Growth
Aside from the fact that there are no truly safe and effective methods for permanent penile enlargement, many men also fall victim to these common myths about their penis size:
1Your shoe size and height determine your penis length.
This myth is often passed around as a joke between friends or seen in cheeky interview shows. It suggests that the taller you are and the larger your feet are, the bigger your penis must be. Well, that’s definitely not true.
Numerous studies have debunked this claim, and there’s also a well-known story about actor Willem Dafoe that challenges this notion. Despite being 5’7″ and embodying a unique, eccentric energy that sets him apart from the typical Hollywood hunks, people assumed Dafoe would have a “regular” penis. However, filmmaker Lars von Trier revealed in 2009 that Dafoe’s penis was so impressive on the set of Antichrist that they had to use a stunt penis.
2Race or ethnicity directly determines penis size.
While it’s a common stereotype that certain races have larger penises while others are on the shorter side, there is absolutely no scientific study to back up these claims. Penis size varies greatly from person to person, and race has no real bearing on it.
3Penis size determines how much you ejaculate.
Another reason why some people may feel self-conscious about their penis size is the belief that a smaller penis means less sperm, which could impact their ability to conceive or lead to impotence. This is completely false!
Your penis size has no bearing on how much semen you ejaculate. The actual factors that affect the volume and force of ejaculation include age, sexual activity, lifestyle choices, overall health, and genetics.
4Masturbation affects your penis size.
Another common myth about penile growth is that masturbation can cause your penis to shrink. This is definitely not true. While masturbation can temporarily cause your penis to become erect, making it appear longer, that’s just a temporary effect. Once you orgasm, your penis returns to its flaccid state, and there’s no long-term impact on its size.
5Penis size is the most important factor in sex.
Media has always pushed the idea that the bigger the penis, the better the sex. We constantly see messages about deeper penetration, longer-lasting erections, and “better performance” being tied to men with larger penises. Whether it’s in movies, porn, or locker room talk, size often gets way more attention than it should.
But here’s the truth, penis size is just one small piece of the puzzle when it comes to satisfying sex. Great sex isn’t about how deep you can go or how big you are. It’s about connection, communication, and comfort. What really makes sex enjoyable is when all parties are fully present, free to explore, and able to share mutual pleasure.
So if you’re feeling a little conscious about your penis size, don’t fret! You can absolutely satisfy your partner. Oral sex, love toys, and plenty of other sexual activities can bring just as much (if not more) pleasure in the deed.
Takeaway
Penis size has always been a sensitive topic for many men, largely because media and society often push the idea that a bigger penis means better sex, stronger masculinity, and in some ways, a badge of honor. But in reality, penis size is just one small part of what makes intimacy great. It has nothing to do with your worth or value as a person. So instead of stressing over when the penis stops growing or chasing enlargement procedures, remember this: you’re already enough.
