Study says 'size really doesn’t matter' when it comes to a penis

“Scientists claim they’ve worked out what makes the perfect penis,” The Independent reports.

According to Swiss researchers, women value overall cosmetic appearance of a penis over length.

The actual point of the study was to assess women’s perception of the penises of men who have had surgery for hypospadias, a condition where the hole through which urine passes (meatus) is not at the tip of the penis. The condition is typically corrected in childhood by surgery.

Researchers asked women to compare pictures of men who have been treated for hypospadias with men who had been circumcised.

Overall general penile appearance was found to be the most important aspect of a penis for women and the position and shape of the meatus to be the least important.

Out of a list of eight aspects, the length of a penis was actually rated as coming sixth out of eight. Research suggests a massive disconnect between what men think is important about their penis and what women actually think. One study found that 85% of women were satisfied with their partner’s penis size while only 55% of their corresponding partners felt the same. 

Where did the story come from?

The study was carried out by researchers from University Children’s Hospital Zurich and the University of Zurich. The source of funding was not reported.
 
The study was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Sexual Medicine on an open-access basis so the study is available to read online or download as a PDF (as an advanced warning, the study does contain some graphic images of different types of penises).

This story has been reported accurately in the media with quotes from authors and a detailed report of study findings.

Much of the reporting on the study takes a light-hearted tone, but it is important not to discount the anxieties that many men, usually without justification, experience about penis size. Read more advice about penis size

Links To The Headlines

Scientists claim they’ve worked out what makes the perfect penis. The Independent, July 22 2015

Why your penis size doesn’t matter (but appearance does). The Daily Telegraph, July 22 2015

Is YOUR penis ‘good looking’? Medical study reveals what women really rate as important (and it’s NOT length). Mail Online, July 22 2015

Links To Science

Ruppen-Greeff NK, Webber DM, Gobet R, et al. What is a Good Looking Penis? How Women Rate the Penile Appearance of Men with Surgically Corrected Hypospadias. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Published online July 20 2015