Am I normal? A systematic review and construction of nomograms for flaccid and erect penis length and circumference in up to 15 521 men. (2nd March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Veale, David; Miles, Sarah; Bramley, Sally; Muir, Gordon; Hodsoll, John
• Is Part Of: BJU international. Volume 115:Number 6(2015)
• Page Start: 978
• Page End: 986
• Publication Date: 2015-03-02
• Subjects: penis -- length -- girth -- circumference -- nomogram -- systematic review; Genitourinary organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Genitourinary organs -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Urology -- Periodicals; 616.6
• DOI: 10.1111/bju.13010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-4096

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To systematically review and create nomograms of flaccid and erect penile size measurements. Methods: Study key eligibility criteria: measurement of penis size by a health professional using a standard procedure; a minimum of 50 participants per sample. Exclusion criteria: samples with a congenital or acquired penile abnormality, previous surgery, complaint of small penis size or erectile dysfunction. Synthesis methods: calculation of a weighted mean and pooled standard deviation (sd ) and simulation of 20 000 observations from the normal distribution to generate nomograms of penis size. Results: Nomograms for flaccid pendulous [ n = 10 704, mean (sd ) 9.16 (1.57) cm] and stretched length [ n = 14 160, mean (sd ) 13.24 (1.89) cm], erect length [ n = 692, mean (sd ) 13.12 (1.66) cm], flaccid circumference [ n = 9407, mean (sd ) 9.31 (0.90) cm], and erect circumference [ n = 381, mean (sd ) 11.66 (1.10) cm] were constructed. Consistent and strongest significant correlation was between flaccid stretched or erect length and height, which ranged from r = 0.2 to 0.6. Limitations: relatively few erect measurements were conducted in a clinical setting and the greatest variability between studies was seen with flaccid stretched length. Conclusions: Penis size nomograms may be useful in clinical and therapeutic settings to counsel men and for academic research.