Penises are getting longer and we should be concerned about it a scientist from Stanford University in the United States says. This news might trigger giggles from sex-shy readers but this “rapid” growth is a cause for concern, warns researcher Dr Michael Eisenberg.
The average global penile length has increased by 24% over the past 29 years, a new meta-analysis from Stanford University has concluded.
Researchers compiled data from 75 studies, conducted between 1942 and 2021, that reported on the penile length of 55,761 men.
They found that the average erect length increased from 12.1cm to 15.24 cm over the past three decades.
“Any overall change in development is concerning because our reproductive system is one of the most important pieces of human biology.”
The study was published in the World Journal of Men’s Health on Valentine’s Day this year.
Why you should be concerned
According to trends in male reproductive health data, sperm quality and testosterone levels have declined over the last few decades, sounding alarm bells Eisenberg, who is a professor of urology at Stanford Medicine.
It’s made him wonder. Should we be concerned about other differences in men’s reproductive health?
He further explained that the increase happened over a relatively short period of time. “If we’re seeing this fast of a change, it means that something powerful is happening to our bodies. We should try to confirm these findings and if confirmed, we must determine the cause of these changes.”
What’s climate change got to do with it
Eisenberg added that there could be a number of factors at play, such as chemical exposure, like pesticides or hygiene products, interacting with our hormonal systems.
“Chemical exposure has also been posited as a cause for boys and girls going into puberty earlier, which can affect genital development,” he said.
“I think it’s important to ask if there are similar changes occurring to women’s reproductive organs.”
Tips for keeping your penis healthy
Now, fellas, we know few parts of your body are as prized and important to both your mental and physical well-being as, well…your penis.
Just like your heart, lungs and other organs, your penis needs some TLC to perform at its best, babes.
“Men should not be too proud to admit they need medical help,” says Simnikiwe Moses, a 30-year-old man from Makhaza. “We need to take time for our health.”
Simnikiwe says that he drinks lots of water, plays sports, tries to eat as healthy as possible and avoids substance abuse. “I also go for regular check-ups and watch my weight. I’ve learnt that following a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce my risk of getting diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease,” adds Simnikiwe.
These are five tips for a healthy penis:
- Eat your veggies: Including vegetables such as spinach, avocado, and spicy foods with capsaicin can help prevent erectile dysfunction.
- Work out: Brisk walking every day can be of great help if you are not able to do a proper workout every day. Regular exercise can help build stamina in sex and also in keeping erectile dysfunction at bay.
- Keep your mind stress free: Stress is a real ghost that can haunt your health from every possible angle. Keeping anxiety levels and stress in control is highly important for an overall good quality life and especially your sex life.
- Get good sleep: Sleep relaxes your mind and body and it is important to get good sleep during the night.
- Try to stop smoking and drinking: Smoking can mess with your heart’s autonomic function. And drinking can affect your liver. Keep it light!
ALSO LISTEN: Dear Women, we need to talk about our vaginas
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