During the fall of 2018, a number of media outlets reported that there was a link between infertility and penis size. The rumours started at the 2018 Scientific Congress of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Denver and have continued to make waves across the globe. So, what is the truth then?

Is Infertility Linked to Size?

The short answer is no.

There are several different factors that can contribute to infertility but penis size is not one of them. Low sperm count or the fact that the sperm might not be fully developed yet are two of the more likely reasons – medication is another.

If penis size happens to be an issue for you over and above infertility though, the CALIBRE procedure is a viable option.

A Closer Look at the Study

A research team from the University of Utah studied 815 men between the ages of 18 and 59 and found that 219 were infertile.

Each man’s penis was stretched and measured from the pubic bone to the urinary opening. Infertile men had an average size of 12.5cms, while other men had an average size of 13.4cms.

The study doesn’t show any conclusive proof that a shorter penis is directly related to infertility. Further studies would need to be conducted to determine whether genetic or congenital factors paired with a shorter penis are the real reason for infertility.

What the Media Had to Say

Very soon after the 2018 conference, multiple news outlets started spreading this misleading information, causing countless men to panic. The author of the study, Dr Austen Slade, quickly responded stating that this was not what the study had found.

It’s quite disconcerting how easily news outlets are able to spread information such as this without truly researching and checking the facts.

Situations such as this should be a lesson to all to always double check facts yourself before you believe a news headline such as this. Here are a few tips that will help you double check your medical facts before you spread the news yourself:

Look at the source. Where did you read this news or headline? Have you heard of the source before and is it a name you trust?

Look at the date of the article. Determine how current the article is.

Look at the resources/research. What is the news outlet basing the article on? Did they reference reputable resources or are they simply providing their own opinions?

Speak to a doctor. If you are concerned about something you have read, turn to a doctor or medical professional that you trust.

To summarise, there is no concrete proof that penis size has anything to do with a man’s ability to have children. If you are experiencing infertility issues, it’s always best to speak to your doctor about the most logical reasons first before you take any further action or stress yourself out.