According to an international meta-study of 15,500 men by King's College London, the average penis has a length of 9.16 centimeters when flaccid:

- a length of 9.16 centimeters when flaccid,
- a length of 13.24 centimeters in the flaccid, stretched state
- and a length of 13.12 centimeters when erect.

The girth was also taken into account:

- A flaccid penis has an average circumference of 9.31 centimeters
- and measures a full 11.66 centimetres when erect.

So, let's take another quick measurement and see if you are somewhere around these values. Many a penis appears somewhat puny to its owner when flaccid. This is particularly common when a powerful belly rises above it. On the one hand, it is a matter of perspective (pregnant women know this when they can no longer see their feet) and on the other hand, part of the penis shaft can actually disappear under the layer of fat. But that is by no means a micropenis! In addition, the vast majority of smaller penises grow to a sublime size once the blood shoots into the genitals.

Not every small penis is a microphallus

With obesity on the rise among children and adults, personal misdiagnoses are actually occurring more frequently these days. This is because smaller specimens are quickly mislabeled as micropenis or microphallus. This can be an additional burden for men with a "real" micropenis because they may not be taken seriously.

What is referred to in sexual medicine as a microphallus or micropenis is far below the average described above. Such a penis reaches up to two centimetres when flaccid, but can also be even shorter. When erect, it reaches a maximum of seven centimetres. However, this is not simply a smaller version of a penis, but rather a malformation. The shaft of the penis is often not properly formed, the tip consists of a small glans and the testicles are not fully developed.

It is not entirely clear how frequently this phenomenon occurs. The Network on Psychosexual Differentiation speaks of a prevalence of less than 2%. This means that less than two percent of the male population is affected by this disorder.

A micropenis can be the visible sign of a hormonal imbalance

A micropenis is already recognizable at birth and is usually detected during the newborn examination. The causes of the malformation have been better researched in recent years. Today, it is assumed that around 20 different diseases and syndromes are responsible for this type of malformation.

Ultimately, there is a lack of testosterone. This is either not produced in sufficient quantities or does not work properly at the target site. Some of these syndromes, such as Klinefelter syndrome, are sex differentiation disorders, i.e. what used to be known as hermaphroditism. In the past, boys whose penis did not appear male enough were simply reassigned as girls. A life with the wrong set of chromosomes seemed to doctors to be more worth living than a life as a man with a very small penis.

Fortunately, we have moved beyond that nowadays. And the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the opportunities to influence development. Specialists can consider what measures can be taken and whether additional hormone administration will promote growth.

A man is more than his penis

Oh, it's not all that bad, you might say. It can't be that bad. But it is for those affected, as masculinity is still very much dependent on the penis.

- No matter how caring and protective parents are towards their child, they can support the development of healthy self-confidence from an early age. Nevertheless, it is hardly possible to protect the child from the curious and unfortunately often curious looks of other children and adults. And thus also from hurtful and disparaging remarks.
- And all too often, a micropenis also inhibits the development of a clear sense of gender identity. A man simply has to have a proper penis.

It is difficult to change this image. But in a world that is increasingly characterized by images from pornography, education is urgently needed. That's why I'm glad to have just read that sex education is now also being introduced in nurseries. This is desirable across the board. It helps the children. But it also helps the parents, who are often overwhelmed by the special needs of their children.

A healthy penis is certainly desirable for a fulfilling sex life. But honestly, sex is more than just intercourse. There are always ways and means. You just have to have it in your head and see a man as a man. With or without many centimeters of penis length.

Anja Drews - qualified sex educator for ORION