Can a Penis be Significantly Larger When Erect?

This article is based on scientific evidence and clinical experience, written by a licensed professional and fact-checked by experts.

Posted: December 18, 2020

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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Is it normal for a penis to be significantly larger when erect? by Josh Spurlock

Shanjay asks, “My penis is significantly larger when it is erect than it is when it’s flaccid. Is that normal?”

Read more to find out what Josh Spurlock, Christian Counselor and Sex Therapist, has to say about the normality of a penis changing in size.

CASSIE

Welcome to My Counselor Online. I’m Cassie and this is My Counselor Says. My Counselor Says is where you submit a question, either for yourself, or for a friend,  and one of our incredible therapists takes their time and answers your personal question. So let’s go find out what My Counselor Says.

JOSH SPURLOCK ON THE NORMALITY OF A PENIS CHANGING IN SIZE

The answer to that is yes, absolutely. Penises come in all sorts of different sizes and shapes.

But it’s really normal for all penises to be significantly different in size when they are flaccid, or not erect, not full of blood, than when they are erect.

A PENIS IS LIKE A BALLOON

A penis is kind of like a balloon in that it engorges and fills with blood, and that’s what causes it to become erect.

When it is not engorged with blood, all of the air out of the balloon, and all the blood out of the penis. And then, the penis can reduce in size significantly, in some cases can even invert, and be inside the body at times.

Nothing is wrong. Nothing is broken. That would be really normal.

Thanks for your question, Shanjay. If you have a question that you want to be answered by one of our counselors, submit it here!

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This article is based on scientific evidence and clinical experience, written by a licensed professional and fact-checked by experts.

About the Author
Josh Spurlock
Josh Spurlock

Josh Spurlock MA, LPC, CST, has a BA in Biblical Languages and a Masters in Counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), holding licenses in MissouriColorado, and Florida. He is also a Certified Sex Therapist (CST), Level 2 AEDP Therapist, and an Ordained Minister. He is an Advanced Practice Clinician, with over 10,000 hours of clinical experience. He specializes in Marriage Counseling, Sex Therapy, Family Counseling, and works with Executives, Pastors, Business Owners, and Ministry Leaders. Learn more about Josh Spurlock at JoshSpurlock.com.

Josh is currently unable to take on any new clients.

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