It’s something all men have heard, yet it still doesn’t always sink in: It’s not the size of the wand but the magic inside it that counts. Yet men still would rather have a big penis than a small penis, even when their current equipment functions exceptionally well and provides pleasure to their partner(s). While maintaining adequate penis health is at the top of most men’s list, so is making sure that no shrinkage occurs on this most favorite of their organs. But is that something men need to really worry about?

The answer is a qualified yes.

Perspective

First off, if a man is already comfortable with his manhood and really knows he is an expert at using it, he is far less likely to be concerned with his penis size. Even if he possesses what some might consider a small penis (and not just by comparison with the unrealistic monsters that parade across the screen of so many porn videos), if he is satisfied with the work he produces, he will hopefully be free of the curse of constant size comparisons and worries.

But many men do feel that their sense of masculinity is inextricably linked to the size of their member, and for these men, the possibility of losing (or appearing to lose) even a little length might be cause for concern. So for these men, what are some of the possible causes of penile shrinkage?

- Age. Sorry to say, but the sad fact is that most men do experience some shrinkage when they get older. Not several inches, but a loss of a half-inch or so over time is not unusual. This typically comes about due to a loss of testosterone. As a man ages, his testosterone production generally declines, which has an impact on the firmness of his erections and consequently on his erect length. Staying active and fit helps to maintain testosterone, but so does frequent ejaculations - so maintaining sexual activity (whether alone or with a partner) can help to diminish shrinkage.

- Weight. The obesity problem continues to grow in our society, and one of the side effects of this is that it may contribute to penile shrinkage. It’s not that the penis actually gets smaller, but excessive weight can pad the midsection, causing portions of the base of the penis to be covered with fat. Thus, there is less of the shaft actually showing, making the organ appear shorter.

- Smoking. Smoking is simply bad news for health in general, but it can specifically add to small penis woes. How so? Smoking can cause calcification in the blood vessels, including those in the penis. When this happens, penile tissue diminishes in size. (It also can bring about erectile dysfunction - another reason to kick the butt habit.)

- Dehydration. Just as smoking can affect penile tissue, so can lack of water. Dehydrated tissue contracts, and when that happens in the penis, the size of the penis itself contracts as well.

Men who are concerned about their penis size can take simple steps to help maintain their current length. Exercise, proper diets, staying hydrated, quitting smoking and ejaculating regularly can all help.

Avoiding shrinkage can help avoid a small penis, but whatever one’s size, keeping the penis health up is essential. To that end, using a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil,>which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) is critical. Since hydration can be an issue, selecting a crème with appropriate skin moisturizers is advised; look for a crème that includes at least two, such as Shea butter (a high-end emollient) and vitamin E (a natural hydrator). And active penises are prone to suffer from peripheral nerve damage due to rough (if enjoyable) handling. Use a crème with acetyl L carnitine, an amino acid which protects against such damage, to help prevent a devastating loss of sensation in the penis.