Re: penis size decrease/circulation

Posted By HFHS M.D.-MS on March 02, 1998 at 16:41:00:

In Reply to: penis size decrease/circulation posted by Michael Vaughn on February 25, 1998 at 11:48:31:







: For years I have had a problem with my size.  It has not created a problem concerning intercourse with my partners but it is a mental problem as far as being in the showers at the gym.  My ohter concern is that my size seems to be decreasing.  While flaccid it seems as if there is no blood what so ever.  And my testicles are and have been for a long time drawn up 90% of the time.  Only when I have a cold or flu with fever do they drop down.  I feel that there might be a blood flow problem.  Can you suggest help for me.  I've been to one urologist and he seemed to pass it off as normal. I am concerned as this gets worse. My age is 38 and I have normal erections and a normal sex life.
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Dear Michael
Thanks for your  question and your concerns.
From the male vantage point, (above looking down) the penis often appears smaller. (Take a look in the mirror from the side and compare. )  The average stretched penile length for the adult is 13.3+1.6 cm. (Centimeters not inches!) This is measured on the top, from base to tip,  while the penis is flaccid and stretched as far as it will stretch.  If the stretched length is less than 9.3 cm , (3 3/4 inches) this is considered short.  Even if the adult penis is shorter 9.3 cm and it is does everything a normal penis does, therapy is not recommended. One condition that may make your measurements falsely shorter is if you have a generous fat pad over the pubic bone.  As men age, the depostion of fat over the pubic bone is the main reason for men reporting a shorter appearance in their penis. As for your testicles getting shorter the same process might be an explaination if  this happens continuously.  It is true the muscles which regulate the length of the spermatic cord respond to a reflex which is heat and activity dependent.  This is because sperm formation occurs best slight below body temperature. Again there are no formal medical treatment recommendations regarding this condition as long as the testicles remain in the scrotum.   I would keep an eye on the position of the testicles in the scrotum into summer when the weather is warmer and see if this make a difference.  
Hope this has helped.
More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568). We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is
your need. Please bring any physicians notes and lab test results that
you may be able to obtain. These will help us greatly.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Sincerely;
HFHS-M.D. MS
* keyword: penile length,  cremasteric reflex