Does a small penis have an impact on conception?
This is the age-old question that many men begin to ponder when they reach adulthood, especially if there are fertility problems in a relationship. The short answer to the question is no — penis size does not affect fertility. Men with various penis sizes are all fathers. However, there is a specific measurement that may be a good indication of your fertility chances in the future. According to a piece published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal, the anogenital distance (AGD) may be more important than penis size.
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What is anogenital distance?
Anogenital distance (AGD) is the measurement from the anus to the nearest attachment of the scrotum to the body. The average distance between the two is just two inches, but some men have shorter lengths and others have longer lengths. The typical male penis is between five and six inches in erect length.
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What is the ideal AGD for optimal fertility?
Instead of measuring penis size to gauge fertility chances, they should be measuring AGD. Any measurement of fewer than two inches could mean reduced fertility. Measurements of more than two inches could mean increased fertility.
How accurate is the connection between AGD and fertility?
Well, this is where things get a little muddled. The original study involved 126 college students who were not attempting to start families. Their AGD and sperm counts were measured and compared. Lower AGD measurements were associated with lower sperm counts, in some cases, but not all fertility doctors are convinced AGD plays a role in fertility diagnosis at this time. Natan Bar-Chama of Mt. Sinai Hospital believes the connection being made by some professionals is a bit premature.
Are lower AGD numbers and smaller penis size connected?
In some cases, yes. According to past research, phthalates may be associated with reduced AGD measurements and reduced penis size in boys born to mothers who’ve come in contact with phthalates. Phthalates are chemicals used in personal items, plastics, and more.
Are these chemicals solely to blame for reduced AGD measurements?
No, there are other factors that can play a part in shorter AGD measurements, like body size, for instance.
Penis size is not the deciding factor in your fertility. Of course, there are medical conditions like micropenis that can cause a reduction in penis size to the point that fertility is affected, but this condition and others that affect penis size are rare. Chances are your penis is more normal than you think.
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