Does Penis Size Influence Sexual Behaviour of Men who Have Sex with Men?

Abstract

Abstract Penis size is a major body image concern for the majority of men in western nations, while in gay culture the penis has become a body part linked to sexual attractiveness and viability. The aim of this study was to reveal influence of the perceived penis size on sexual behaviour, condom use, sexually transmitted infections and men’s sexual positioning among men who have sex with men. In this cross-sectional study, the data were collected from consecutive men who have sex with men who attended Counselling for Sexually Transmitted Diseases at the City Institute for Skin and Venereal Diseases in Belgrade, Serbia. Out of 319 participants, 6.6% perceived their penis as "below average", 71.5% as "average", and 21.9% as "above average". In comparison with men with an average penis, men with below average penis were more frequently unsatisfied with their penis size (p < 0.05), more frequently lied to others about their penis size (p < 0.001) and took more frequently the passive sexual role (p < 0.05). Men with above average penis were more frequently satisfied with their penis size (p < 0.001), took more frequently the active sexual role (p < 0.01), they had more sexual partners (p < 0.05), more problems with a tight condom (p < 0.001) and more gonorrhoea/Chlamydia infections (p < 0.001) than men with an average penis. Perception of one’s penis size was associated with some aspects of sexual behaviour and the frequency of sexually transmitted diseases.