ARE YOU NORMAL?

You probably think it’s pretty easy to measure a dick. Whip it out. Grab a ruler. Get it hard.

Have a look. Men do it all the time – 62 per cent in the MH survey said they had measured it – with a ruler (42 per cent) or tape measure (18 per cent) or other device (2 per cent), whether out of boredom, curiosity, insecurity or any number of other motivations. Scientists do it all the time as well. Their efforts have generated data on average penis sizes, which many media outlets, educators and average men take as gospel.

But think for a measure your penis and you’ll pretty quickly find it’s not as straightforward as it seems. Do you measure from the top or the side? Flaccid or erect? Morning or evening? Scientists have been pondering these issues for decades, developing varied measurement tactics. But as researchers reported in a study on some of these approaches last year, “little data exists on the best technique to measure penile length”. That be cause for concern, as getting a solid sense of average penis sizes is important for more than just personal interest. Accurate measures may aid in developing better-fitting condoms with lower tear rates or help men with confidence issues who believe their penis is smaller than average. So it’s worth taking a look at when, where and how some of the most common figures on average penis sizes were determined and understanding exactly how much uncertainty remains.