Micropenis refers to an adult penis that measures under 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) when fully stretched. Medical treatments can increase its size, but a micropenis functions like a longer penis does.
Micropenis, also known as microphallus, is a medical term for a penis that is significantly shorter than the average penis length for that person’s age group and geographic location.
It’s a rare condition usually diagnosed at birth, and may be a sign of hormonal deficiencies. In North America, approximately
A micropenis may be shorter than the average penis, but in every other way, including structure, appearance, and function, it’s like any other healthy penis.
What defines a micropenis is its stretched penile length (SPL). The proper way to measure for a micropenis is to gently stretch it and measure the length from the tip to the base, closest to the body.
The table below shows the
| Age | Maximum length |
|---|---|
| Preterm infants | less than 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) |
| Term infant | 2 cm (0.8 inches) |
| 1 year old | 2.5 cm (1 inch) |
| 5 years old | 3.5 cm (1.4 inches) |
| 10 years old | 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) |
| 18 years and older | 7.5 cm (3 inches) |
It’s important to remember that micropenis lengths may vary by geographic location.
The development of hormones like testosterone during puberty can also affect penis length in your teens. Some people develop more quickly, while others may be late bloomers, and therefore have a smaller penis for longer.
What is the average penis length for an adult?
A 2023 study in 55,761 adults with a penis found that the average SPL was 12.93 cm (5 inches) globally, which is 2.43 cm (0.9 inches) longer than the SPL of a micropenis.
Learn more about the average penis size.
Researchers have identified several hormonal imbalances that may cause micropenis.
In particular, androgen hormones are associated with micropenis. These play a key role in bodily functions like muscle growth, brain function, sexual function, and bone density, among others.
There are four types of androgen hormones:
Before birth, the penis develops in response to hormones like androgens. If a person with a penis doesn’t produce enough androgens or their body doesn’t respond to androgen production, they may be born with a micropenis.
Several medical conditions that affect the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, both of which play key roles in hormone production, are also associated with micropenis. Some examples include:
- hypogonadism
- hypopituitarism
- growth hormone deficiency
- Down syndrome
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Bardet-Biedl syndrome
- Russell-Silver syndrome
- Laurence-Moon syndrome
- CHARGE syndrome
- Rud syndrome
It’s not always clear why some people are born with a hormone disorder that causes micropenis. A family history of micropenis and fetal exposure to pesticides and antifungals may increase the risk.
Micropenis is usually diagnosed at birth. Some researchers suggest that all newborns with a penis that measures 2 cm or less be evaluated for endocrine conditions.
Several types of medical doctors can diagnose micropenis, but the ones you’re most likely to connect with are:
- Primary care physicians (PCPs): A PCP can diagnose and manage a wide range of medical conditions.
- Endocrinologists: These medical specialists specialize in hormone disorders.
- Urologists: These medical specialists can diagnose and manage conditions that affect the urinary tract, pelvic area, and male reproductive system.
They’ll start by performing a physical examination and gathering information about personal and family medical history. This may include:
- measuring the penis length
- asking questions about other penile symptoms, such as difficulty or pain urinating
- performing blood and urine tests to check for infections and hormonal imbalances
If you suspect your baby has a micropenis, connect with a pediatric urologist or a pediatric endocrinologist.
Can micropenis be mistaken for another condition?
An endocrinologist or urologist will perform several tests to help determine the underlying cause of a shorter-than-average penis length.
In doing so, they may determine other conditions that can affect penis length,
- Buried penis: This is when the penis is buried or hidden under folds of skin of the abdomen, thigh, or scrotum.
- Penoscrotal webbing: This occurs when the skin connecting your penis to your scrotum extends along the underside of your penis shaft like a web.
- Chordee: This occurs when the penis shaft curves downward sharply.
- Surgical complications: Complications from procedures for circumcision and hypospadias may cause the penis to appear smaller.
Although a micropenis functions like any other penis, it may cause feelings of stress, anxiety, and embarrassment that can affect a person’s self-confidence and sexual pleasure.
Most people who are diagnosed with micropenis during childhood will outgrow the condition after puberty.
But, for those who don’t, there are several treatments available to help increase penis size, boost self-confidence, and improve the chances of having a sex life you are satisfied with.
Hormone therapy
The
Testosterone therapy may help stimulate penile growth in infancy, but it may be less effective in puberty and adulthood.
Nonsurgical treatments
Along with hormone therapy, a doctor may recommend some nonsurgical treatments to help increase the overall size of a micropenis. These may
- penis vacuum pumps
- penis stretches and exercises
- penis injections with dermal fillers, such as fat, hyaluronic acid, and polymethylmethacrylate microspheres
Living with micropenis may cause negative emotions, feelings, and thoughts that may cause you to isolate yourself or limit sexual activity with others, even if you want to engage.
If this is the case, consider connecting with a licensed sex therapist. They can help you manage negative thought patterns associated with micropenis and give you tips on how to speak with a sexual partner about micropenis.
Surgery
If hormone therapies and other natural remedies don’t help increase penis length in adults, then a doctor may recommend surgery.
Surgery for micropenis is only recommended for adults, as many people with a micropenis during childhood and adolescence may outgrow it after puberty.
There are several types of surgeries available for micropenis, including:
- Phalloplasty: During this surgery, surgeons will construct part of or a total penis by using tissue from other body parts.
- Ligamentolysis: This surgery involves cutting or “releasing” certain ligaments that attach the bone to the penis.
- Lipoplasty: This surgery involves removing fat from one body part and injecting it into the penis.
- Sliding elongation: This involves making several incisions into the tunica albuginea, a layer of fibers that surrounds the testicles and penis, and performing sliding movements.
As with any medical procedure, there are several risks associated with micropenis surgery. Complications affecting the urinary tract, erectile function, and other functions may occur and may require subsequent procedures.
As such, it’s important to speak with a medical surgeon to compare the benefits and risks of surgery.
Having sex with a micropenis
People with a micropenis often report feelings of embarrassment that can lead them to avoid sexual activities with partners, even if they want to.
Communication with a partner about sex is important and can help improve your confidence. It can also help you discover other ways to give and receive pleasure.
For instance, sex with a partner doesn’t always have to be penetrative! You can use sex toys, fingers, or your tongue to give pleasure, and there are many erogenous zones to explore.
Micropenis refers to a penis that measures less than 3.5 inches. It’s most commonly diagnosed during childhood.
Although most people’s penis will grow beyond a micropenis size after puberty, some people may still have a micropenis as adults.
Treatment may include hormone therapy, surgery, and working with a mental health specialist.