They say every cloud has a silver lining. Although pollution is a life-threatening problem in many places, it could be beneficial for some.
Penises are getting longer – and we should be worried, say scientists.
Average penis length worldwide has increased by 24% over the past 29 years, a new Stanford University meta-analysis concludes.
Researchers collected data from 75 studies, conducted between 1942 and 2021, looking at the penis length of 55,761 men.
They found that the average length in the upright position increased from 4.8 inches (12.1 cm) to 6 inches (15.24 cm) over the past three decades.
The headline might make a timid reader laugh, but this “rapid” growth is potentially worrying, warned researcher Michael Eisenberg.
“The increase happened in a relatively short period of time. Any global change in development is worrying, because our reproductive system is one of the most important parts of human biology.
“If we see such a rapid change, it means that something powerful is happening in our body,” he adds.
Why does the penis get longer?
The researchers expected a decrease in the average length of the male penis over time. They were “surprised” by the results, which could be caused by a number of factors.
The main possible cause is the presence of harmful chemicals in pesticides and hygiene products.
“These endocrine-disrupting chemicals — there are a lot of them — exist in our environment and in our food,” he said.
“As we change the constitution of our body, it also affects our hormonal background. Chemical exposure is also thought to cause early puberty in boys and girls, which can affect genital development.
The study was quite exhaustive. However, other experts suggest that the trend is moving in the opposite direction.
What other impact do chemicals have on human reproductive health?
Research shows that chemicals have a profound effect on our reproductive system.
Sperm counts among men in Western countries fell by 59 percent between 1973 and 2011, according to a meta-analysis of 185 studies involving 45,000 men.
Chemicals can also affect the future fertility of babies still in the womb.
Danish research published last week found that exposing women to dangerous “persistent chemicals” in early pregnancy can lead to reduced sperm count and quality in male children later in life.