Abstract
Both physiological and self-measurement methods have been employed to collect data on the dimensions of the erect penis. However, self-measurement using paper strips has often been favored as a less intrusive and time-consuming method, despite the recognition of the increased chance of bias through exaggeration. The current study aimed to establish the test-retest reliability of measurement of the erect penis using paper strips in a sample of 312 gay men. The men were issued with color-coded measuring strips printed with instructions but no calibrations, and asked to measure both the length and circumference of their partners' erect penis. Three months later they were asked to repeat these measures. Mean length on first measurement was 15.3 cm and 15.2 cm on second measurement. Mean girth at first measurement was 12.5 cm and 12.6 cm at second measurement. Test-retest reliability of measurement was found to be moderately low at r = .60 for length and r = .53 for girth. No relation was found between measurement discrepancy and the age, social class, education, ethnicity, or employment status of the partner taking the measurements. Although self-measurement strips are both convenient and acceptable, and widely reported in the literature, they only have moderate test-retest reliability. This may be due to both natural variability in penis size within subjects over time and unreliability of the measurement method.
Access this article
We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.
Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Bogaert, A. F., & Hershberger, S. (1999). The relationship between sexual orientation and penile size. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 28, 213-221.
Bondil, P., Costa, P., Daures, J. P., Louis, J. F., & Navratil, H. (1992). Clinical study of the longitudinal deformation of the flaccid penis and of its variations with ageing. European Journal of Urology, 21, 284-286.
Coxon, A. P. M. (1996). Between the sheets: Sexual diaries and gay men's sex in the era of AIDS. London: Cassell.
da Ros, C., Teloken, C., Sogari, P., Barcelos, M., Silva, F., & Souto, C. (1994). Caucasian penis: What is the normal size? Journal of Urology, 151(Suppl.), 323A, 381.
Delmas, V., Bondil, P., Dauge, M. C., Smet, G., & Boccon-Gibod, L. (1991). Anatomical study of penile extensibility. Journal of Urology, 145, 405A.
Earls, C. M., & Marshall, W. L. (1982). The simultaneous and independent measurement of penile circumference and length. Behavior Research Methods and Instrumentation, 14, 447-450.
Farkas, L. G. (1996). Accuracy of anthropometric measurements: Past, present, and future. Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 33, 10-18.
Furr, K. D. (1991). Penis size and magnitude of erectile change as spurious factors in estimating sexual arousal. Annals of Sex Research, 4,265-279.
Golombok, S. E., Harding, R., & Sheldon, J. (2001). An evaluation of a thicker versus a standard condom with gay men. AIDS, 15, 245-250.
Han, J. H., Park, S. H., Lee, B. S., & Choi, S. U. (1999). Erect penile size of Korean men. Venereology, 12, 135-139.
Jamison, P. L., & Gebhard, P. H. (1988). Penis size increase between flaccid and erect states: An analysis of the Kinsey data. Journal of Sex Research, 24, 177-183.
Koukounas, E., & Over, R. (1993). Habituation and dishabituation of male sexual arousal. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 6, 575-585.
Koukounas, E., & Over, R. (1999). Allocation of attentional resources during habituation and dishabituation of male sexual arousal. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 28, 539-552.
Lee, P. A. (1996). Survey report: Concept of penis size. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 22, 131-135.
Richters, J., Gerofi, J., & Donovan, B. (1995). Are condoms the right size(s)? A method for self-measurement of the erect penis. Venereology, 8, 77-81.
Rosen, R. C. (1998). Sexual function assessment in the male: Physiological and self-report measures. International Journal of Impotence Research, 10, S59-S63.
Schonfield, W. A., & Beebe, G.W. (1942). Normal growth and variation in the male genitalia from birth to maturity. Journal of Urology, 48, 759-777.
Shealy, C. N., Cady, R. K., & Cox, R. H. (1995). Non-surgical elongation of the adult penis. Journal of Neurological and Orthopaedic Medicine and Surgery, 16, 144-146.
Smith, A. M. A., Jolley, D., Hocking, J., Benton, K., & Gerofi, J. (1998). Does penis size influence condom slippage and breakage? International Journal of STD and AIDS, 9, 444-447.
Sutherland, R. S., Kogan, B. A., Baskin, L. S., Mevorach, R. A., Conte, F., Kaplan, S. L., et al. (1996). The effect of prepubertal androgen exposure on adult penile length. Journal of Urology, 156, 783-787.
Sutter, K., Engstrom, J. L., Johnson, T. S., Kavanaugh, K., & Ifft, D. L. (1997). Reliability of head circumference measurements in preterm infants. Pediatric Nursing, 23, 485-490.
Tovey, S. J., & Bonell, P. B. (1991). Condoms: A wider range needed. British Medical Journal, 307, 987.
Wessells, H., Lue, T. F., & McAninch, J. W. (1995). The relationship between penile length in the flaccid and erect states: Guidelines for penile lengthening? Journal of Urology, 153A, Abstract No. 582.
Wessells, H., Lue, T. F., & McAninch, J. W. (1996). Penile length in the flaccid and erect states: Guidelines for penile augmentation. Journal of Urology, 156, 995-997.
World Health Organization (1998). The male latex condom. Family planning and population. Geneva: Author.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harding, R., Golombok, S.E. Test-Retest Reliability of the Measurement of Penile Dimensions in a Sample of Gay Men. Arch Sex Behav 31, 351–357 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016276310371
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016276310371