Hopefully, every man reading this feels good about himself and about his body – and about his penis. Being in good health and good penis health can make a big difference in a man’s sexual outlook – but sometimes there can be factors that undermine a perfectly healthy man feeling good about himself sexually. For example, take penis size. Our culture places an absurd importance on something that is essentially a matter of genetics and that has little to do ultimately with how satisfactory a man is in bed. Often a man may be victimized by body dysmorphic disorder, and this dysmorphia may be centralized around his penis size – to his detriment.
Not measuring up
When a man has dysmorphia related to his penis size, it means that he has an obsessive idea that his penis size is inappropriate – most often, too small. (There are some cases in which a man experiences his penis as being far too large, but this kind of dysmorphia is much rarer.) While it is very possible for someone with a genuinely small penis to have dysmorphia, it seems to occur more often in men whose penis size is perfectly normal, if not more than normal.
In either case, individuals are placing an excessive importance on penis size. With the prevalence and easy availability of pornography, more and more men (and women) have the opportunity to be exposed to videos in which the male performers are chosen at least partially due to the above-average size of their penis.
The fact is that the average erect penis size is about 5.1 inches, and the range of “normal” erect penis sizes generally runs from about 4 inches to about 6 inches. (However, many men with an erect penis smaller than 3 inches are able to sexually satisfy their partners.) Those with a penis larger than 6 inches are the exception rather than the rule, no matter how it appears in pornographic material.
Problems
So what happens when a man has dysmorphia where his penis size is concerned? There are any number of issues that can arise:
– Depression and/or anxiety. Body dysmorphic disorder is recognized as a mental health illness, and many people who suffer from it experience such corollary issues as depression or anxiety. This can impact not only their sexual life but their day-to-day life as well, causing them to feel fatigued, irritable, unmotivated, and unhappy.
– Performance issues. Dysmorphia may contribute to erectile issues as well. For example, a man may experience erectile dysfunction, due to worries that he just doesn’t measure up as a man due to his penis size. Anxiety about performing adequately may cause him to become nervous during sex and to ejaculate prematurely.
– Relationship problems. A man with dysmorphia may avoid sexual contact, afraid that he will not be able to satisfy a partner. He may refrain from dating from fear of rejection due to his perceived inadequate penis size, or he may need to constantly be reassured by a partner that his penis size is acceptable.
Treatment
Too often, men with dysmorphia about penis size try to find ways to enlarge their penis. This may lead them to try “sham” treatments that don’t work. Some treatments, in fact, may be dangerous. Rather than taking this path, a man is advised to seek help from a mental health professional who can work with him to come to have a more balanced and realistic perception of his penis size.
Dysmorphia can also distract a man from taking proper care of his penis, which is crucial regardless of penis size. Regular application of a first-rate penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can help. The most appropriate oils will include both L-arginine and L-carnitine. The former helps penile blood vessels to become receptive to increased blood flow. The latter has neuroprotective properties that help the penis retain its delicate sensitivity, which impacts sexual pleasure.
