Ah, the age-old question: does size actually matter?
The short answer is, yes and no. It really depends on the individual. Ask 100 people and you will get very differing opinions, and what you see in porn isn’t reflective of the general population.
What’s the average size?
If you ask most men, their go-to number is 6 inches (15.2cm). However, a 2014 study in the US found that the average erect length was 14.15cm and average erect circumference was 12.23cm, so it’s not really as big as what men think. This isn’t all too surprising, given a 2019 study did find that men often over-report on their penis size (surprise, surprise).
And no, there isn’t a direct correlation to the size of one’s hands or shoe sizes.
Quick plug: Sokkie condoms have a nominal width of 53mm which fits penis circumferences between 12-13cm, ie. it fits most.
When it’s too big
Like being at a buffet, a lot of us have eyes that are bigger than our stomach, or in this case, vaginas. Whilst the first reaction might be “wow” when his pants come off, the next is almost always “ouch”, especially if you’re not ready for it. “Ready for it” here means both mentally ready and also making sure you have a ton of lube.
And if you feel sore the next day down there, chances are, you won’t be feeling up for it for a while, especially if there was tearing.
On the other hand, a lot of women enjoy that “full” feeling when there’s something larger involved. When I say larger, I mean thicker, not necessarily longer.
Our advice in general for when it’s too big is to take it slow and to lubricate. You’ll also want to find positions that are the most comfortable for the both of you. Missionary tends to work best as you get to control how deep it goes.
When it’s too small
You compensate, by buying a big house or a loud car – I kid.
Jokes aside, there are definitely ways to compensate during love-making which involves the tongue and those delicate fingers. Foreplay is after all 80% of the journey. More on that in this article.
There are also ways to make the penis larger using penis pumps and rings. Whilst temporary, it does go a long way during sex.
Ladies, doing your kegels can also help create a snugger feeling, as you tighten your vaginal muscles.
What feels right
When it comes to the act of making love, it really doesn’t really matter whether it’s large, small or average sized. There’s a lot more to sex than the size of one’s penis.
What really matters is what feels right to the both of you, and that usually means being attentive to each other’s needs. Listening and acting on your partner’s cues will go a long way than just having a large member.
So there, I’ll say it – size does not matter, so go forth and enjoy one another :)
Author: Alison Tran
Alison enjoys a good night out. She writes for Sokkie when she's bored and wants to let off some steam. Loves sex on the beach (the cocktail, and literally!)
Photo: Louis Hansel on Unsplash
