When you hit puberty, things start to change — your voice gets deeper, your hair grows longer, and your penis grow larger.
This growth happens most often between ages 12 and 16, and most guys reach their fully grown penis size by the time they’re 19 or 20. But what’s considered a “normal” penis size?
Puberty
Penis length is a sensitive topic for many young people, especially because of myths and misinformation that circulate about the subject. These falsehoods may lead boys and men to worry unnecessarily about their penis length or wish for larger penises. This concern is often fueled by pornographic images that depict a variety of penis sizes that many people consider to be normal, or by the fact that many adults overestimate how long the average man’s penis is.
The most significant change in the size of a person’s penis occurs during puberty, which begins at an average age of 12 in boys but can occur at different times for each child. During this time, the body produces more testosterone than normal and this boost can cause multiple physical changes, including increased height, muscle mass, and pubic hair growth. The penis typically grows at a rate of about half an inch per year during puberty, and this growth can continue until early adulthood for some men.
The length of a person’s penis is determined by genetic factors and is not related to whether or not he has sex. For this reason, most people don’t need to be concerned about the length of their penis as long as it is functional for urination and sexual intercourse. In rare cases, a person’s penis may grow to an abnormally large size because of hormonal imbalance, medical condition, or injury.
Testicle Growth
As a boy goes through puberty, the testicles grow in size. They’re oval-shaped organs covered by a pouch of skin called the scrotum. They produce sperm and the hormone testosterone, which are essential for sexual function.
The fastest growth for the penis and testicles occurs during puberty, which usually starts around age 11 or 12. The testosterone spike that’s caused by chemical communication between the brain and the reproductive organs triggers secondary sexual characteristics like body and pubic hair to begin growing and causes the penis and testicles to enlarge. Boys also start producing semen and have their first ejaculation during this time.
After the rapid increase in length and thickness during puberty, the penis will continue to grow at a much slower pace until a boy reaches his late teens or early 20s. At this point, the penis may stop growing altogether or grow significantly larger in a very few cases.
While it’s common for young men to wonder how big their penis will be and worry if they’re growing fast enough, they shouldn’t feel self-conscious about their size. Penis growth varies from one person to another and depends on many factors, including genetics and a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to have a regular self-check of the genitals, and talk to your doctor if you notice any changes that are unusual or concerning.
Testicle Height
Penis growth is influenced by many factors. It reaches its maximum size at some point during puberty, but this can vary between individuals. The amount of growth can also be impacted by lifestyle choices. For example, smoking and drinking can cause the penis to grow smaller. Fortunately, there are ways to promote penis growth.
During puberty, a boy’s testicles begin to grow and then the penis grows in response. On average, the penis will reach its full length at around 4-6 years after the testicles enlarge. A man’s genitals can continue to grow for another few years after puberty, but this is not common.
It is not unusual for a young man to be self-conscious about his penis size, but the size of a person’s penis depends on several factors. Many people will reach their peak penis size by the time they are in their late teens, but this can vary between individuals.
It is important to remember that there is no such thing as a “normal” penis size. Some men have very large penises while others have much smaller ones. It is important to not compare yourself to other people and be happy with the size of your penis. Also, don’t be fooled by commercials and online videos claiming that there is a way to get a bigger penis.
Testicle Length
Testicle growth is typically the first sign of puberty for young men. The scrotum (the bag of skin that holds the testicles) darkens, enlarges, and may develop hair. It is also common to have one testicle smaller than the other; this difference is normal and not a cause for concern. Once testicle growth begins, the penis starts growing at a similar rate and typically reaches its full length and girth before puberty ends; this is usually between the ages of 18-21.
A man’s testicles are shaped like ovals and are responsible for the production of both sperm and hormones, including testosterone. Testicles are also a key part of the male reproductive system, which is why some men worry about their testicle size and what causes them to grow large or small.
The size of the scrotum and penis is determined by genetics, so there is not much that can be done to encourage additional growth. In most cases, the penis will stop growing after completing puberty, with most men having fully grown penises by their late teens.
If you are concerned about your penis’s size, you should see a doctor for more information. A doctor can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether they are caused by an underlying health issue, such as a hormone imbalance or testicular cancer.