penile shrinkage

Shrinking Sausages: What's the Deal with Penile Shrinkage?

Written by: Dr. Joshua Gonzalez

What is Penile Shrinkage?


Penile shrinkage? Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Wait…but aren’t penises meant to grow?”


Well, as it would turn out, they can shrink as well. That being said, as men, we have all experienced temporary penile shrinkage. We’ve all taken a cold shower and come out with our bratwurst looking like a pig in a blanket before we dry off. Most penile shrinkage is temporary: a cold shower, a dip in the pool, or even a blustery breeze can turn our cocks into cocktail weenies. It is normal and, thankfully, temporary. However, there is also a type of penile shrinkage that is permanent 😱.


I’m sure you are wondering why we are discussing such spooky things with Halloween still months away. Here at Popstar, we are like HomeGoods, we are always (maybe inappropriately) months ahead of the rest! Popstar is back with the tips (and so much more than just the tip) on the terrifying penile shrinkage: the causes and treatments!

Causes

With how penis-obsessed men are, you would think there would be a ton of research on penile atrophy, but alas, there isn’t. Maybe men don’t want to think about it, even in the name of science! What we do know is that there are a few external causes that contribute to penile atrophy. Which means we have to go inside 😈. Lucky you!

Prostate Surgery

Of the internal causes of penile shrinkage is prostate surgery. Studies show that a prostatectomy can lead to shrinkage and is most noticeable 4 to 8 months post-surgery. Both girth and length can decrease by up to 20%. As if having partial or full removal of your prostate wasn’t scary enough, let’s add potential penile shrinkage to the mix.

Peyronie’s Disease

Certain diseases can contribute to penile shrinkage as well. Peyronie’s Disease can be attributed to penile atrophy and shortening. While it may sound like a bougie cousin of pepperoni, this is one thing you don’t want your sausage associated with. Peyronie’s is a condition where fibrous scar tissue develops on the penis which can lead to curved, painful erections, and of course, shrinkage. To learn more about Peyronie’s, click here.

Weight Gain

Weight gain is also said to cause penile shrinkage, but it could just be an optical illusion. One could argue that the penis doesn’t get any smaller, just less of it is exposed. Summer is a difficult time to struggle with your weight. With the never-ending bounty of backyard barbeque delicacies, it can be hard not to indulge. If you think that you may be experiencing penile shrinkage due to your weight, perhaps you can say no to that extra scoop of potato salad for the sake of your pecker.

Radiation

Radiation and hormonal suppression are directly linked to penile atrophy as well. Hormonal suppression is a treatment used to stop the production of androgens, a hormone that can fuel prostate cancer cell growth. A significant decrease in penile length was reported in men who were treated with both radiation and suppression to combat prostate cancer. However, further studies need to take place in order to determine if radiation and hormone suppression alone can cause shrinkage, as the data collected was from men who were treated with both.

penile shrinkage

Treatment and Prevention

Now that we know the potential causes of penile shrinkage, what can be done about it? The treatment can be tricky as the most effective options are the most invasive, and costly. Let’s look into some of the potential solutions for your shrinking sausage and penile shrinkage.

Implants and Filler

If you want to take the Beverly Hills route in solving penile shrinkage, implants and fillers are the way to go. Cosmetic implants have been used to try to increase the length and girth of the penis, but these surgeries are not without risk.


A less invasive option to solving penile shrinkage is penile filler. The same filler used to plump your face and lips can be used in your penis to increase size, but this mostly affects girth. Think of it as Botox for your bratwurst! To learn more about penile filler, check out our article here . As mentioned, if you want the Beverly Hills treatment, you may need a 90210 budget. Let’s look into a more cost-effective solution, shall we?

Lifestyle Changes

Leading a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent penile shrinkage. As aforementioned, weight gain can lead to potential shrinkage. Monitoring diet, regular exercise, and controlling the consumption of alcohol can help with weight making sure your gourd has room to grow.

Staying on Top of It

No, we don’t mean getting on top of your penis. You would have to be very gifted (and well-endowed) to do that. Staying on top of things by way of having regular checkups and keeping in contact with a healthcare provider is always recommended and can help monitor the signs of penile shrinkage. After all, keeping open communication with your doctor can ensure that the only thing long and hard about this summer is your sausage. Talk to your healthcare provider today if you are dealing with penile shrinkage.

Dr. Joshua Gonzalez

Dr. Joshua Gonzalez

Dr. Joshua Gonzalez is a board-certified urologist who is fellowship-trained in Sexual Medicine and specializes in the management of male and female sexual dysfunctions. He completed his medical education at Columbia University and his urological residency at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Throughout his career, Dr. Gonzalez has focused on advocating for sexual health and providing improved healthcare to the LGBTQ+ community.