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Penis Size and Erectile Dysfunction
Big dick jokes; we've all heard them. Their dick is so big it has its own heartbeat. Their dick is like a baby's arm (one that I have always found disturbing). Their dick is so big they get lightheaded when hard. While lightheadedness is highly unlikely, these jokes don't only make penises rise; they raise questions. Do larger penises have a harder time getting hard? Could someone have a harder time filling their phallic tank if it is a little larger? Now before your run to a Big Dick Reddit thread, let us shed some light on the sizable schlong situation.
Fact or Myth?
While size may play a role in sex, it is virtually irrelevant when it comes to becoming and staying erect. Assuming you have normal blood flow and cardiovascular health, your size shouldn't matter regarding your ability to get or stay hard. So whether you have a cocktail weenie or a Costco quarter-pound plus hotdog, an erection should be the same. Unless, of course, outside factors exist. Erectile dysfunction may be the actual culprit. While many physical factors contribute to ED, some of it is all in your (other) head. If you have difficulty getting and staying hard, perhaps your chastity cages are mental. Depression, stress, and anxiety, whether performance-related or regular, all could play a part in why your tent is only half-pitched.
What's blood got to do with it?
We hope you all read that to the tune of Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It." I'm sure you’ve all heard that blood flow plays an essential role in erections long before reading this article, but do we know precisely how and why? Inside the shaft of a penis are two columns of tissue called the corpora cavernosa, which are full of blood vessels. When you become aroused, the arteries relax, allowing the blood vessels to expand and fill with more blood. This process expands the corpora cavernosa, and voila, you're hard! On average, it is thought that the average penis only needs around 4.4 ounces of blood to get hard. If you are above average, it couldn't take more than another ounce or so to achieve an erection. With over a gallon of blood circulating the adult human body at any given time, it is doubtful that a penis is so big that there isn't enough blood to fill it.
A Hard Finish
Never to size shame, but you most likely aren't too large to stay hard. While you may be busting out of your pants, consider this myth busted as well. Suppose you are looking to go from soft sedimentary rock to diamond hard. In that case, there are many healthy lifestyle choices you can make to ensure a full erection, regardless of your gargantuan size! For more tips on how to workout your weiner, check out our exercises for a stronger erection!
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.
