Feeling intimidated?
Your days of awkward Google searches are over: The average penis is 5.6 inches (14.2 centimeters) long when erect, says new research from the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
(We’ll wait while you go and grab a tape measure.)
Researchers asked guys to measure their penis length and girth in the privacy of their own homes. The researchers told the testers to mark themselves at full mast and report how they got there, whether it was via masturbation, oral sex from a partner, fantasizing, or other means.
Not only did the researchers discover the mean length of an erect penis, but also found that men who received oral sex in order to get their erection reported significantly larger numbers than guys who only fantasized.
What gives? It’s difficult to say. The measurements used for this study were pulled from a larger study that involved testing two types of condoms, so you don’t get much context from the responses—just the facts.
But the facts do reinforce preexisting penis stats. The researchers say that the sizes in their study were consistent with those from previous studies, which suggests that guys are actually pretty honest when it comes to talking about their junk. (Despite all your friends claiming they’re hung like Ron Jeremy.)
Want more details? Check out this blog post from the Men’s Health Girl Next Door. And if you feel like you’re coming up short after seeing that stat, watch this video from study author Debby Herbenick, Ph.D. on how to feel larger and go deeper during sex.
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