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IT DOES MAKE sense in a way that testosterone would increase penis size, because at one point in your life, it did. But the facts are different as an adult.
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Testosterone, which is produced by your testicles, “plays a key role in the development of characteristics like libido, and growth of the penis and testicles,” says Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD, a board-certified urologist at Orlando Health in Orlando, Florida. “Fertility is achieved as the testicles and penis increase to adult size,” says Paul Turek, MD, a sexual health expert and board-certified reproductive urologist in Los Angeles.
Testosterone surges in your body in your tween and teen years to achieve all of this. This “blast” of testosterone is usually over by your mid to late teens. Here’s what to know after that.
Does Your Penis Keep Growing as You Get Older?
No. After testosterone stops surging, your sexual development is set for life. Genetics are the main reason your penis grows to its permanent size. “You’re born with the size already determined,” says Dr. Brambhatt.
After your penis stops growing, any increase in testosterone levels in your body won’t have any further effect on its size. That is true no matter what length your penis happens to be: a recent study done by researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine found that stretched penile length did not have any association with testosterone levels in adult men. The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University points out that since the penis consists of spongy tissue, not muscle, you can’t build it up in any way on your own. “There are no safe and effective methods for permanently increasing penis size,” says Dr. Brambhatt.
What Can I Do Then, If I Worry About My Size?
It’s natural to be curious about size and how your penis stacks up. Here’s some info on that. But the bottom line is that size doesn’t matter. Function, however, does. If you notice any changes in how your penis looks or functions—patchy spots, bumps, curves—definitely don’t ignore them. “Consult your doctor for accurate information about any concerns,” stresses Dr. Brambhatt. Obviously, this helps you get the right treatment for anything that’s amiss, but it also helps you stop stressing about what something could be, but isn’t.
