The investigation involved more than 800 adult participants and used computer-generated male models, in which different physical attributes were manipulated independently. This method allowed for isolating the specific effect of penis size in evaluations made by both men and women.
The results show that men with larger penises tend to be considered more sexually attractive. Furthermore, when evaluated by other men, these models are seen as more physically intimidating. The effect was more pronounced when the models were presented at life-size, approximating how these characteristics are perceived in everyday life.
For Prof. Dr. Nuno Tomada, a urologist and andrologist, “these data represent a significant advance in understanding male sexuality. Historically, the size of the penis has been treated as a taboo, but research shows that it influences perceptions of attractiveness and dominance, explaining many of the anxieties that men feel in a clinical context.”
The researchers emphasize that these results should not reinforce stereotypes but rather serve as a basis for an informed and scientific approach to male sexual health, allowing for the reduction of stigmas and improvement of literacy in this area.
The study also suggests an evolutionary perspective, indicating that the size of the penis may have been favored over time by both female preference and competition among men, playing a role that goes beyond reproductive function.
