When it comes to men, does size matter? Yes, says Dr. Harry Fisch, but not in the way you may think. The director of the Male Reproductive Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital talks with Dr. Oz about male infertility and his book Size Matters.
The measurement men should really be concerned about is their waist size, Dr. Fisch says. "A potbelly really causes all problems men have, from cholesterol levels to heart disease to erectile functions," he says. It's particularly troublesome with fertility issues because a big belly is indicative of low testosterone levels. "Testosterone is made in the testicles but broken down in the fat cells of the body, mainly in the belly," Dr. Fisch explains. "If you get rid of the belly, the testosterone levels will go up."
Another important size is that of the testicles, Dr. Fisch says. Testicular size is directly proportionate to fertility potential—the bigger the testicles, the better a man's fertility levels. The minimum size for good fertility is approximately an inch and a half, Dr. Fisch says. "Big testicles make more testosterone and therefore have more hormonal potential."
Oh, and because you're probably wondering, Dr. Fisch says the average penis size is 5.4 inches in length, and really varies from four to six inches for most of the population.
