A micropenis is a penis that normally forms normally but is much smaller than average. In nursing males, this is indicated by a length of less than 0.75 inches (1.9 centimeters) when stretched. In adult men, the rating measurement is 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) when fully erect. There are many conditions that can cause an unusually small penis, but in general, the production or assimilation of testosterone is involved.
Male hypogonadism is a broad medical term that describes decreased testosterone production. There are many diagnoses with hypogonadism as a symptom, and most conditions that begin in childhood or adolescence can lead to a micropenis. Hypogonadism is further divided into primary and secondary classes.
In primary hypogonadism, reduced levels of testosterone result from a malfunction in the male testes. When a micropenis occurs in nursing males, it is sometimes the result of hypogonadism caused by Klinefelter syndrome. People with Klinefelter syndrome have an extra X chromosome, which often results in a malformation of the testes and decreased testosterone production.
Any injury to the testicles before or during early adolescence can cause primary hypogonadism and ultimately lead to a micropenis. Injury from physical trauma is obviously dangerous, but it is also possible to damage the testicles from a mumps infection. Excess levels of iron in the blood can also, in rare cases, lead to underdevelopment.
In secondary hypogonadism, the testes do not receive the signal to produce testosterone. In these cases, there is usually a malfunction in the pituitary or hypothalamus gland. This can be caused by a genetic disorder such as Kallmann syndrome or it can be the result of various pituitary disorders. Obesity has also been aligned with secondary hypogonadism.
In childhood, a micropenis is often treated with short-term testosterone injections. If the penis shows improved growth after three months, it is assumed that the increase in hormones at puberty will also increase the length. For adult men, some potential to increase size through the use of surgical implants has been shown. Some herbal remedies have been marketed with guarantees to extend the length of the penis. There are no independent scientific studies to adequately prove these claims.
In the past, parents of a child born with a micropenis were sometimes advised to have their child undergo gender reassignment surgery. In rare cases, when the girl had a penis and a vagina, this advice was almost universal. As serious emotional effects began to emerge in these children in adolescence, the practice was reexamined. Since then it has been largely abandoned.