Fact check: How does age affect penis size in men?

1. Summary of the results

The research clearly demonstrates that age significantly affects penis size in men through distinct developmental phases. During childhood and adolescence, penis growth follows a predictable pattern with gradual growth after birth and peak development occurring between ages 11-16 years, coinciding with pubertal growth spurts ^{[1] [2]}.

The Chinese study of boys aged 0-17 years found that penile length increased continuously after birth, with peak growth from 11 to 15 years of age ^[2]. Multiple studies confirm that penile growth was gradual after birth, with peak growth from 12 to 16 years of age during maximal male pubertal development ^[1].

In adulthood, the relationship between age and penis size reverses. Age causes changes in penis size, including shrinkage, due to reduced testosterone levels, high blood pressure, clogged blood vessels, and other age-related conditions ^[3]. Research shows that penis size can decrease by up to an inch due to aging factors ^[4]. Additionally, the biomechanical properties of the flaccid penis decrease with age, suggesting structural changes that may affect size ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the bidirectional nature of age's effect on penis size. While the question implies a simple relationship, the research reveals that age affects penis size differently across life stages - promoting growth during puberty but causing shrinkage in later adulthood.

The analyses reveal important correlations between penis size and height ^{[6] [7]}, which may confound age-related measurements since height also changes with age during development. The strongest significant correlation exists between flaccid stretched or erect length and height ^[7].

Missing from the original question is acknowledgment of specific medical conditions that accelerate age-related penis size changes, including obesity, prostate surgery, and Peyronie's disease ^[4]. These factors can compound natural aging effects.

The research also establishes normal size parameters, with studies finding mean flaccid penile length of 9.16 cm and mean erect penile length of 13.12 cm ^[6], providing important baseline measurements for understanding age-related changes.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains no explicit misinformation but suffers from oversimplification that could lead to misunderstanding. By asking broadly "how does age affect penis size," it fails to distinguish between the growth phase during adolescence versus the shrinkage phase in older adulthood.

This oversimplification could benefit medical professionals and pharmaceutical companies who profit from treating age-related sexual health concerns, as a more nuanced understanding might reduce anxiety about normal developmental and aging processes.

The question also lacks acknowledgment of individual variation and the influence of other factors beyond age, such as genetics, overall health, and medical conditions, which could lead to unrealistic expectations about age-related changes in penis size.