Small penis problem

In men of the Slavic type, the average norm is considered to be 14-centimeter length of an erect penis, its lower limit is 9.5 cm, the size less than which is called "micropenis".

Causes

Micropenia can occur as a result of dysfunction of the production of sex hormones, which is observed in twenty congenital pathologies. Among them, the most common and occur in one case out of five hundred newborn boys:

• Kallman syndrome is detected at the age of three. It is characterized by the non-descending of the testicles into the scrotum, but their presence in the abdominal cavity. Surgical intervention is not enough, since the syndrome disrupts the formation of pituitary cells, which are responsible for the synthesis of testosterone stimulating hormones.
• Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic disorder in which a boy has an extra X chromosome, which leads to the formation of an asthenic physique, narrow shoulders and, accordingly, a micropenis with an underdeveloped scrotum. In this case, the main cause is precisely the disruption of hormonal regulation. Conception of children is possible in 80% of cases.

Interestingly, many patients with Klinefelter syndrome do not consider their anatomy a pathology and do not seek advice from an andrologist.

There are two common causes of the formation of a small penis: androgenic (the above-described syndromes, cryptorchidism, craniopharyngioma, del Castillo, Noonan, Pasculani, Kallman syndromes, anorchism) and acquired, caused by infectious and inflammatory diseases of the testicles, their injuries, tumors, drug, radiation or temperature effects on the testicles, tumors of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, hyperprolactinemia syndrome, diabetes mellitus.

Symptoms

In addition to the anatomical symptoms, micropenis may also be characterized by other signs:

• feminine physique (narrow shoulders, wide pelvis, asthenic and disproportionate body);
• poor hair growth on the body;
• mental retardation;
• obesity;
• the presence of erectile dysfunction;
• depressive state;
• deformation of the auricles;
• anomalies and defects of other systems and organs.

If some of the signs are observed during puberty, you should immediately make an appointment with an andrologist or endocrinologist.

Diagnostics

To conduct diagnostics, you will need a consultation with a urologist, andrologist, geneticist. First, you can contact a family therapist, who will refer the young man to a specialist. As a rule, the following examination methods are prescribed for a small penis:

• analysis of hormone levels in the blood;
• spermogram;
• genetic study of the karyotype and chromosomes to confirm or exclude hereditary pathology;
• radiation method for diagnosing inflammatory processes or neoplasms;
• computer and magnetic resonance imaging.

Timely treatment will allow a man to get rid of psychological and physical complexes in the future.

Treatment

There are two ways to treat micropenia:

• Conservative - includes taking hormonal drugs, using a vacuum and extender. These two devices stimulate penis stretching, due to which the cavernous body can be filled with blood to a greater extent.
• Surgical - used in more complex cases: ligamentotomy, implantation, corpectomy, phallourethroplasty.

Prevention

Expectant mothers should avoid stress, taking hormonal medications, and give up bad habits. Children from an early age should be protected from injury, weight control, obesity should be prevented, and timely medical attention should be sought.