What is a micropenis?
Micropenis is a term used by doctors to describe a normally structured penis that is abnormally small. For adult males, any penis with a length of 9 cm (3 inches) or less is considered to be a micropenis. As aforementioned, the term is used when there are no other structural abnormalities, for instance epispadias. Microphallus is another term, used more rarely, to describe the micropenis ailment. Current scientific data indicates that 0,5 -0,6 % of the total male population has a micropenis (1/200).
Often, the condition is diagnosed during child birth - or a few days later - without requiring any complicated or invasive means. All babies with a stretched penile length of less than 2 cm should be evaluated immediately by a physician or a doctor for the condition.
Causes behind the condition
The microphallus condition is the result of hormonal abnormalities occurring early in life, specifically during the first and second semester of embryogenesis. Although, the exact reasons have yet to be identified, it is believed that they are related to the main androgen hormone which is testosterone. This is why micropenis is usually part of other testosterone-related conditions, like Klinefelter syndrome and Leydig cell hypoplasia.
Common problems associated with having a micropenis
Some common problems reported by micropenis sufferers include the following:
Micropenis Treatments
Since the mid 1950s and until quite recently, a child with a micropenis would be realigned to a female. To do so, the doctors would both put the baby under the "knife" –removing the male genitalia and manufacturing an artificial vagina- and using female hormones to enhance that change. This treatment has been abandoned since the late 1980s.
Now, the most common practice is to prescribe young boys with a micropenis with a therapy called testosterone therapy. The treatment is given under the assumption that testosterone induces penile growth. According to the published medical literature, the treatment yields relatively good results with about 80 % of the patients achieving a relatively normal penile length, 10-12 cm on average. It should be noted that the treatment is innefective and yields no results when given after puberty.
Some common problems reported by micropenis sufferers include the following:
- Difficulty – or inability – to have proper intercourse
- Difficulty – or inability – to urinate properly when standing. “Spraying” is a very common problem, especially in uncut men
- Psychological problems, like low self-esteem and difficulty in approaching women
Micropenis Treatments
Since the mid 1950s and until quite recently, a child with a micropenis would be realigned to a female. To do so, the doctors would both put the baby under the "knife" –removing the male genitalia and manufacturing an artificial vagina- and using female hormones to enhance that change. This treatment has been abandoned since the late 1980s.
Now, the most common practice is to prescribe young boys with a micropenis with a therapy called testosterone therapy. The treatment is given under the assumption that testosterone induces penile growth. According to the published medical literature, the treatment yields relatively good results with about 80 % of the patients achieving a relatively normal penile length, 10-12 cm on average. It should be noted that the treatment is innefective and yields no results when given after puberty.
Now, the most common practice is to prescribe young boys with a micropenis with a therapy called testosterone therapy. The treatment is given under the assumption that testosterone induces penile growth. According to the published medical literature, the treatment yields relatively good results with about 80 % of the patients achieving a relatively normal penile length, 10-12 cm on average. It should be noted that the treatment is innefective and yields no results when given after puberty.
The only viable solution for adults with a micropenis is a surgical procedure called phalloplasty. During the procedure, the surgeon uses flaps of skins –taken from the patients’ forearm or leg – and transplants them on top of the penis, thus enlarging it. In the past the procedure was considered to be both dangerous and ineffective but there has been a lot of progress in the field. The medical literature from 2002 and later suggests that phalloplasty is a viable, non-risky solution for treating someone with a micropenis .
Recent developments for micropenis
A study that was published in 2011 suggests that the condition may be treatable in adults with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin injections. However, the study was conducted on patients with Idiopathic Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism and thus further research is needed to conclude whether this treatment can be considered effective or not. (source: micropenis treatment in adults)
Getting the best advice about micropenis
If you are a parent of a boy with micropenis please consult a specialist like a pediatrician, an urologist, an endocrinologists, etc. If you are an adult seeking treatment please consult a surgeon that has performed phalloplasty on other men with micropenis. You may also wish to see a psychologist if you believe that the condition affects your mentality and behavior in a negative way.
Micropenis - Media
The only viable solution for adults with a micropenis is a surgical procedure called phalloplasty. During the procedure, the surgeon uses flaps of skins –taken from the patients’ forearm or leg – and transplants them on top of the penis, thus enlarging it. In the past the procedure was considered to be both dangerous and ineffective but there has been a lot of progress in the field. The medical literature from 2002 and later suggests that phalloplasty is a viable, non-risky solution for treating someone with a micropenis .
Recent developments for micropenis
A study that was published in 2011 suggests that the condition may be treatable in adults with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin injections. However, the study was conducted on patients with Idiopathic Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism and thus further research is needed to conclude whether this treatment can be considered effective or not. (source: micropenis treatment in adults)
Getting the best advice about micropenis
If you are a parent of a boy with micropenis please consult a specialist like a pediatrician, an urologist, an endocrinologists, etc. If you are an adult seeking treatment please consult a surgeon that has performed phalloplasty on other men with micropenis. You may also wish to see a psychologist if you believe that the condition affects your mentality and behavior in a negative way.
Micropenis - Media