Micropenis

Because of the societal pressure placed upon males regarding their penis size, most people do not consider the medical implications of a small penis. In fact, some men with small penises are suffering from a developmental penis disorder which can cause health concerns.

One such developmental penis disorder is Micropenis, which is an actual medical term for a condition in which a man has an abnormally small penis.

Signs of Micropenis

Technically speaking, the denotation of a small penis occurs when a male is 2.5 standard deviations smaller than the mean penis size. As an infant, this would be diagnosed if the penis is less than 1.9 centimeters long. Statistically speaking, less than one percent of males are born with Micropenis. While there are no reproductive issues if a child is born with Micropenis, this developmental penis disorder often occurs with other disorders, such as hormone disorders like hypothalamus.

Underlying Causes of Micropenis

The causes of Micropenis can range from serious to fairly insignificant. The most insignificant is that the mother failed to produce androgens during pregnancy. Androgens are male sex hormones are responsible for the reproduction of typical male characteristics.

A more serious cause of Micropenis is Klinefelter syndrome. Females produce two X chromosomes, and males produce an X and a Y chromosome. Males with Klinefelter syndrome produce an extra X chromosome, and this can result in reduced or nonexistent fertility, as well as other male characteristic issues.

Treatments of Micropenis

Fortunately, Micropenis can be treated. Most commonly, this developmental penis disorder is treated through hormone injections of testosterone. If this hormone injection treatment fails, there are other suggestions from the medical world as to treatment for Micropenis.

One of the most controversial treatments is sexual reassignment surgery. This is controversial because it would mean that the infant is raised a female instead of as a male. This treatment has been less frequently used because of the rejection rates of the female gender identity and the depression that can occur after puberty.

Until recently, men suffering from Micropenis could not even use a penis extender because of how small the penis was and its inability to fit into any device. However, recent research has resulted in penis extenders being created that fit onto a male suffering from Micropenis and can extend the penis up to two inches.

Long-Term Psychological Outlook

Ultimately, Micropenis is a development penis disorder that must be dealt with psychologically. Because it does not cause any physical ailments, a man can live with Micropenis and lead a healthy sex life. However, because of societal implications and pressures, men with Micropenis often suffer from low self-esteem and have problems with their sex lives because of the size of their penis.

Because of this confidence issue, therapy may be the best treatment for this developmental penis disorder. Additionally, a strong support system at a young age can be a tremendous help to someone suffering from Micropenis.

Specific treatment for this developmental penis disorder will ultimately depend on the patient's age, health, and overall medical history. Additionally, the extent of the condition and personal preference will dictate the treatment procedure.