Grower vs. shower: what it means and does it matter?

“Grower” and “shower” are informal terms that describe how much a person’s penis changes in length from its flaccid state to when it’s erect. While these labels are common and you might wonder which category you fall into, they aren’t medical terms. 

That said, we’ll break down how experts think about growers vs. showers, what may affect the difference, and how to properly measure your penis if you’re curious.

First, a  few key terms to know:

• Flaccid: The natural resting state of the penis when you’re not aroused, with minimal extra blood flow. 

• Stretched: The length of a flaccid penis when gently extended. 

• Erect: The firm state that occurs when you’re sexually aroused and increased blood flow causes the erectile tissue to expand.

 The difference between a grower vs. shower comes down to how much the penis changes in length when you get an erection. 

• Grower: Someone whose penis increases noticeably in length from flaccid to erect.

• Shower: Someone whose penis changes very little in length from flaccid to erect.

Although there isn’t a single medical cutoff that defines these categories, some researchers have tried to quantify the distinction. 

In a 2018 review of 274 men, the median increase in length from flaccid to erect was about 4 cm (~1.6 inches). Men whose length increased by 4 cm or more were categorized as growers, while those with an increase of less than 4 cm were categorized as showers.

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Several factors may influence penis size and how much it changes in length from flaccid to erect, including genetics, tissue elasticity, age, overall health, and certain developmental differences.

Genetics

Just like with most physical attributes, genetics can play a role in penis size. In fact, certain physical traits may even be indicators of penis size. 

A 2021 study gathered data about the flaccid length and erection length of 4,685 men, along with other personal details, such as their age, height, and weight. This study found an association between someone’s height proportional to penis length — both when flaccid and erect. 

Tissue elasticity

It’s also possible that tissue elasticity in the penis — i.e. the ability for erectile tissue to stretch — can influence whether you’re a grower vs. shower. 

When erectile tissue is very elastic, a penis tends to be able to grow longer when erect. When elasticity is low or in cases where there is a loss in elasticity, a penis may not grow as long or grow to a reduced length. 

Age

As you age, erectile tissue becomes less elastic. That’s largely due to changes in tissue composition, specifically an increase in collagen (a protein that makes up approximately half of the tissue in your penis) and a decrease in smooth muscle within certain areas of the penis that fill with blood during an erection.

This may be why some research suggests that age-related changes in tissue elasticity may also reduce how much length increases with erection. In other words, how much of a grower vs. shower you are. 

Health conditions

Health conditions that affect blood flow, like erectile dysfunction (ED), may influence erection quality and potentially affect measured erect length 

In one case study, men with ED (especially those with diabetes) had smaller average penile measurements than men without ED. However, the study did not show that ED directly causes changes in penis size, only that an association was observed.

Hormones

Testosterone plays an important role in penis development before birth and during puberty, and severe hormonal disruptions during those stages can affect adult penis size. However, typical testosterone fluctuations in adulthood don’t appear to have a meaningful effect on penis size and whether a person is a grower vs. shower. 

According to one 2021 study of over 14,000 men, higher total testosterone levels were associated with slightly greater penile measurements. However, the differences were small and not considered clinically meaningful.  

Circumcision

In the same 2021 study of over 14,000 men, circumcised men showed slightly shorter average penis measurements compared with uncircumcised men, but again, the differences were small (within millimeters) and not considered clinically meaningful. There’s no strong evidence that circumcision determines how much length changes from flaccid to erect or whether someone’s a grower or shower.

To find out if you’re a grower or a shower, you’ll need to measure your penis when it’s flaccid and again when it’s erect. Then, you’ll calculate the difference in length.   

Here’s how:

1. Step 1: Flaccid Measurement. When your penis is flaccid, place a ruler or tape measure at the base of the shaft and measure up to the end of your penis. Remember this number or write it down.

2. Step 2:  Erect Measurement. For the most accurate measurement, you will want to be fully erect. Once hard, measure from the base of your shaft (pressing to the pubic bone) up to the very tip of your penis. Remember this second number or write it down.

3. Step 3: Calculating the Difference. Subtract the flaccid measurement from the erect measurement. If it’s more than 4 cm, you might be considered a grower, according to some research. If it’s less than 4 cm you’re a shower..   

Keep in mind that the 4 cm distinction comes from a single 2018 review and isn’t a universally accepted medical cutoff.

Other experts have used ultrasound imaging rather than tape measurements to categorize growers and showers. In a study of 225 men presented at the 2023 European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress:

• Growers were defined as having an increase in length of more than 56% from flaccid to erect. 

• Showers were defined as having an increase of less than 31%. 

• The rest of the men were considered as following in between the two categories

Yes, someone’s classification as a grower or shower can change over time, but dramatic changes aren’t typical. 

In the 2018 review, younger men were more likely to be growers, suggesting that age-related changes may influence what category you fall into. Changes in flaccid length, erection quality, or tissue elasticity can affect how much length increases from flaccid to erect.

What factors affect change over time?

• Age: Erectile tissue tends to lose elasticity with age, which may reduce how much length increases during an erection. 

• Changes in erectile function: Conditions that affect blood flow, like erectile dysfunction, can impact erection quality and length.

• Weight gain: Increased fat in the pubic area can reduce visible flaccid length.

• Smoking: Smoking is linked to vascular changes that can affect blood flow and erectile function, which may  influence erection quality and measured length.

Whether it’s more common to be a grower vs. shower (or vice versa) depends on how the terms are defined. But current research suggests that most men fall somewhere between being a grower or a shower.

In the 2023 study presented at the EAU Congress only 24% of participants were classified as growers, and 25% as showers. This left around 51% of participants between the two types. 

By contrast, the 2018 review that used the 4 cm cutoff found that 26% of participants were growers and 74% were showers. 

Because these studies used different definitions, the proportion of growers vs. showers can look very different depending on what parameters you’re using as the definition. It’s also worth noting that both studies relied on ultrasound imaging for precise measurements. At-home measurements with a ruler or tape measure are more likely to vary.

No, being a grower or a shower probably doesn’t matter in terms of whether it’ll affect your sex life. What does matter is how you feel about yourself and your body. The more confident and comfortable you are in your skin, the more likely you are to experience a satisfying sex life. 

Also far more important than whether you’re a grower vs. shower? Communication. If your penis length is affecting your self-esteem, confidence, or sex life, being able to talk to your partner (or a healthcare provider) can have a significant  impact on your relationship, sex life, and overall well being.

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It’s understandable to feel curious, or even concerned, about how your penis compares to others. But it’s not something that should cause stress. That’s because being a grower vs. shower shouldn’t significantly impact your health or sex life — no matter where you land on the scale. Here’s a quick recap:

• Whether you’re a grower vs. shower refers to the amount a penis grows from flaccid to erect. A grower increases noticeably in length from flaccid to erect, while a shower changes very little.

• There’s no universally accepted medical definition of grower or shower. Different studies use different cutoffs, which can shift how people are categorized. 

• Most men may fall somewhere in between. Though penises vary widely in shape, length, and girth, some research suggests that clear “grower” and “shower” classifications don’t apply neatly to everyone.

• Several factors may influence how much penis length changes from flaccid to erect. Age, tissue elasticity and erectile health can all affect penis length changes over time.

• Being a grower or shower shouldn’t significantly impact your sex life. Confidence, communication, and mutual satisfaction matter far more than how much length changes during an erection.