Concerned about penis shrinkage? You’re not alone. The average length of an erect penis is actually only 5.2 inches but we still tend to worry that we’re not “sizing up” in the manhood department. So, while it may be normal to worry about penis shrinkage, cut yourself some slack. First, because a lot of men think they’re under-endowed, and second, because penis shrinkage is often normal. Here are some of the more common reasons it occurs.

• You’ve put on a few pounds. There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is, you’ve put on a few pounds. The good news is, your penis isn’t shrinking, it just looks that way because it’s attached to your abdominal wall. When your belly gets bigger, it pulls the penis in. If you lose the extra pounds, your penis will most likely go back to its regular size.

• You’re getting older. As we age, the fat deposits build up in our arteries, which causes a reduction in blood flow to the penis. This, in turn, weakens the muscle cells in the erectile tubs in the penis. It’s the same reason you may have fewer (or smaller) firm erections. It’s also possible that years of small injuries have built up the scar tissue, which affects the spongy erectile tissues in your penis.

• You’ve had prostate surgery. Men who have had a radical prostatectomy (removal the prostate gland) are more likely to experience some penis shrinkage. Although no one knows exactly why this happens, it’s possible that the urethral tube shortens during the surgery.

• You smoke. Research has shown that men who smoke tend to have shorter erect penises than men who don’t smoke. This is likely due to the inhibition of blood flow caused by the chemicals in cigarettes injuring the blood vessels in the penis.

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