Study Shows The Penis Size Most Women Actually Prefer

We're all familiar with this age-old question: Does size matter? And we all have our own answers for it.

"It's not the size of the boat, but the motion of the ocean!" "It doesn't matter how big you are. It matters how you use it!" or "The bigger the D, the bigger the O."

There are so many responses, with so many different messages. There are the ones that say size doesn't matter, while others responses convey the message that size matters drastically. So, which is true?

Well, according to a study from the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of New Mexico, researchers determined the penis size women prefer most.

And the results found that a man's penis size doesn't really matter all that much to women. That's good news for you, fellas!

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What size penis do women prefer?

Researchers asked 75 women to select their "ideal" penis of a sexual partner for a one-night stand and a long-term relationship, choosing from 33 different-sized 3D-printed models. The penis models were variations of the average erect penis length in America (6 inches in length, and a 5-inch circumference).

The study found that size mattered most for casual hookups, with less of a preference toward penis size over a longer period of time. As the researchers concluded, "These first estimates of erect penis size preferences using 3D models suggest women prefer penises only slightly larger than average."

For casual encounters, on average the women chose a penis that was 6.4 inches long with a circumference of 5 inches. But for long-term relationships, women preferred an average length of 6.3 inches and a circumference of 4.8 inches.

When it comes to the penis size women prefer, why do women tend to have these preferences about penis size in casual sex versus a long-term relationship? The researchers have a few theories.

"Given that women typically experience more pleasurable and orgasmic sex in longer-term relationships, they might prefer a larger penis for short-term sex — partly so the increased physical sensation compensates for the reduced psychological connection."

So, women might prefer a smaller penis in long-term partners due to physical comfort, and less of a need for "masculinity" in their man, while women prefer a larger penis since the relationship is strictly sexual.

There's the ideal penis for ladies, folks. Everyone say, "Thank you, Science."

What is the average penis size?

David Veale, a psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, determined the answer to that specific question. His results were published in the British Journal of Urology International.

The 2014 study synthesized the data from 17 previous studies and academic papers, which included measurements from a total of 15,521 men from around the world.

And the results?

"The average flaccid, pendulous penis is 9.16 cm (3.61 inches) in length; the average erect penis is 13.12 cm (5.16 inches) long. The corresponding girth measurements are 9.31 cm (3.66 inches) for a flaccid penis, and 11.66 cm (4.59 inches) for an erect one."

So the average penis size for a guy is just over 3.5 inches while flaccid and just over 5 inches while erect. No 7-inch penis average here!

RELATED: Want To Know His Penis Size? Look At His Fingers!

Here are a few ways to increase your penis size (if that's what you want).

1. Penile surgery

Liposuction around the pubic bone can help some men, making the part of their penis covered by a fat pad more prominent.

Another surgery that can help lengthen the penis is done on the ligament that attaches your penis to the pubic bone inside your body. This allows for a bit more of your penis to be extended and seen outside your body.

A third surgery involves a skin graft around the penis shaft to increase girth (which is what women prefer over length).

There are also inflatable penile prosthetics that are surgically inserted into the penis. If you decide to get any of these, go to an experienced doctor who specializes in penis lengthening surgeries.

2. Penis stretching

Penis stretching is done by several exercises you can do at home, though results vary and sometimes don't work or barely increase the size. Some exercises are a massage exercise where lubricant is applied to the penis and massaged gently, repeatedly.

Others involve a penis pump or just your hand. One of the most common exercises involves using your thumb and index finger to slide the skin from top to bottom for 20 minutes (making sure you don't masturbate; if you get erect, let the penis relax).

3. Consult a professional

Urologists recommend that men who have a flaccid penis measurement of 1.6 or under, and erect measurement of fewer than 3 inches, should be considered candidates for penile lengthening treatment.

Of, course it's your body and do what you want to it, but consulting a urologist or psychiatrist for advice is always a good idea.

So, does size really matter?

At the end of the day, you aren't dating a man's penis, you're dating the guy!

It shouldn't matter that a guy has a small penis if he treats you like a queen. Sure, the study itself is very interesting, but it obviously doesn't speak for all women. It has more to do with the person you're having sex with, of course.

Because a big penis is a bore if the guy you're sleeping with sucks.

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Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who has written hundreds of articles about relationships, trending news and entertainment, and astrology. Visit her author profile for more content.