Penile disuse due to lack of sexual activity can harm your best friend, leading to consequences such as the dreaded reduction in size. And no man wants to see his penis shrink or atrophy, right?!
The size of the male member is closely linked to male self-esteem. Therefore, penile disuse can further shake a man’s confidence.
The reduction can be permanent, but in many cases, it is treatable. To learn more, continue reading below and seek the assistance of a urologist.
Can Penile Disuse Lead to Reduction in Size?
It may sound unbelievable, but if you don’t “use” your penis, it can lose size.
In urology, we consider the penis to be for penetration. For this, it needs to be erect. If you are not achieving erections for some reason, penile disuse may end up causing atrophy or reduction.
This consequence occurs because the inflow of blood into the corpora cavernosa – the sponge that makes the penis grow and become rigid, ready for the moment – decreases, leaving the sponge dehydrated. With this dryness, over time, your friend will show changes in penis size.
Penile Atrophy: What It Is and Its Causes
Penile atrophy is not a myth. The dehydration process of the corpora cavernosa causes the member to shrink. As a result, the penis will be smaller when erect.
Atrophy is more common in mature men with erectile dysfunction. They present some alteration in blood circulation, such as those with hypertension or diabetes. Patients who have undergone prostate cancer surgery and performed a radical prostatectomy also tend to have a smaller or atrophied penis. Another target audience are men with low testosterone levels.
In this group of patients, there is another aggravating factor: the pre-existing conditions discourage nocturnal and involuntary erections, which are essential for irrigating the penis and keeping the corpora cavernosa healthy for longer, avoiding penile disuse.
Learn more: See how nocturnal erections occur
Changes in Penis Size
Another reason why men experience changes in the size of the member is when fibrosis forms inside.
Fibrosis can form from a trauma or microtraumas suffered throughout life, such as when the penis slips during the moment. As a result of fibrosis, the tissue loses its elasticity and causes penile alterations. This is called Peyronie’s Disease.
Among the alterations we can highlight are loss of size, thinning, and penile curvature. Peyronie’s may also be accompanied by erectile dysfunction.
The Importance of Sexual Activity for Penile Health
Sexual activity makes a difference for penis health!
By putting it into activity, i.e., having erections, blood flow increases, irrigating the tissues, which is essential to maintain their elasticity.
Erections also act preventively against erectile dysfunction, which tends to affect men in their 40s. Erections help maintain the vascular and nervous function of the member.
In addition, sexual relations bring other benefits to the general health of the man, such as:
- Hormone release
- Reduced risk of prostate alterations
- Pelvic muscle strengthening
- Stress relief
- Cardiovascular improvements
- Increased self-esteem
It is worth noting that penile health is also influenced by other factors, such as a balanced diet, physical exercise, not smoking, and avoiding alcohol and drug abuse.
How to Reverse Penile Atrophy?
The reversal of penile atrophy depends on its cause. Ideally, a urologist should analyze the case to determine if it is possible to reverse the situation and the best way to do so.
Generally, some strategies used against atrophy due to penile disuse are:
Penile Exercises
Penile exercises aim to improve blood circulation and strengthen the penis muscles.
The most famous is the so-called Kegel exercise, which works the pelvic floor. It consists of contracting and relaxing the muscles used to stop the flow of urine.
Vacuum Pump
This equipment is used to stimulate circulation within the corpora cavernosa. To do this, the patient inserts the penis into the cylinder and presses the pump, creating a vacuum that makes the member erect.
The vacuum penis pump should only be used if there is a medical recommendation, and with great care not to aggravate cases of atrophy, erectile dysfunction, and/or Peyronie’s Disease.
Read more: Learn about the vacuum penis pump device
Medications
There are no specific medications that help reverse penile atrophy. However, when it is related to erectile dysfunction or Peyronie’s, the causes can be treated with oral medications like Sildenafil and Tadalafil.
Always under medical supervision, these medications can improve the blood flow of the unused penis and facilitate obtaining more rigid erections in favor of erectile function.
Surgery
When penile atrophy is caused by deformities from Peyronie’s Disease, surgery may be indicated to remove fibroses, recover the dimensions of the penis, and insert a penile prosthesis.
The placement of the implant is very important. It will prevent new curvatures and, moreover, provide vertical rigidity to the member, allowing the penetrative function of the penis.
Cases of penile disuse need to be evaluated by a urologist. Therefore, if you are experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction or have noticed that your penis is getting smaller, contact us. We are here to help you regain a satisfying sexual life!
