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How's It Hangin'?
by Ashley Rondini, 02.26.03
It's a common condition. It's highly contagious. The onset of its symptoms typically occur around puberty and for some guys, may last a lifetime. If you suffer from P.S.A. — penis size anxiety — you are not alone. Take a deep breath, and keep reading to learn more.
Setting the Stage: "Hey! Are You Lookin' at Me?"
Let's be honest. The truth is, guys check out each other's penises. It isn't necessarily a sexual thing. Guys are up against tough standards for what it means to be "manly." Among the idealized physical traits that supposedly identify a "real man" are rippling muscles, above average height, and a great, big penis. As a result, beginning in puberty, when friends may start volunteering progress reports about the growth rate of their genitalia, you may begin to secretly wonder, "Where does mine fit on the scale of what's 'normal'?"
So, you peek. Standing at a urinal, in the showers after gym class, hanging around in the locker room ... guys sneak peeks at each other's bodies and take inventory of their own "goods" in comparison to those of other guys. You may notice whose shoulders are broadest, whose biceps bulge the most, and yes, who has the biggest penis. Insecurities pop up, and some guys may even get competitive with each other about it.
Reality Check: "What Do You Need All of That for, Anyway?
Apart from the context of this all-guy, macho-man environment, there is no practical need for a big penis.
You've probably heard myths about the importance of penis size as related to sexual performance. In actuality, size has nothing to do with a guy's awareness of and sensitivity to a partner's feelings and body — which most people would rank much higher on the scale of important qualities! Penis size also has nothing to do with a guy's ability to maintain an erection — the ability to stay hard.
Being sexual with another person is about a lot more than the size and shape of our sex organs, or penetration with a penis. It's about exploring the many ways someone can turn a partner on — and be turned on, too.
Some people prefer big penises. But being attractive usually has more to do with other physical traits and personality.
"You Know What They Say About Men with Big Feet ..."
Like they say, "Big feet ... very large shoes." That's about the size of it! In reality, a guy's racial background, shoe size, height — or any other physical qualities — do not indicate a particular penis size.
Don't Believe the Hype! — The Truth About Penis Enlargement Techniques
Here's the deal: Your penis is not a muscle. This means that even if you lift weights with it, do penis aerobics, and stick to a high-protein diet, it isn't going to get any thicker or longer. The penis is made up of erectile tissue, which means that it is a spongy kind of material that fills up with blood when a guy gets sexually aroused.
The size of a guy's flaccid (or "non-erect") penis does not determine what size he will be when he has an erection. Ninety percent of erect penises end up being in the same size range (between five and seven inches), regardless of what size they were when flaccid. But keep in mind that everyone grows at different rates. Just as you may not have reached the height you eventually will, it may take some time for your penis to reach its full size as well.
Despite all of the advertisements you may have seen and heard, penis size is simply something that cannot be changed without plastic surgery. Essentially, all of that stuff that is sold with a "guarantee" of results just causes some temporary swelling, by pulling blood to the surface of the skin.
With mechanical devices, like penis pumps, there is actually the potential to do damage by breaking capillaries inside the penis. The surgical option involves getting injections of fat into the shaft of the penis. The hazards of doing that include loss of sensation, as well as the possibility that the fat may settle unevenly, causing the penis to look lumpy.
With the number of myths, stereotypes, and jokes that are out there about penis size, it's no wonder that P.S.A. is so rampant among adolescent guys — and plenty of adults, too! Knowing the facts about penis size should help you combat P.S.A., and accept your body "as is." |
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