Normal Penile Size and Self Esteem about Penile Size of the Third Decade Men in Korea / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The penile augmentation operation is getting popular in Korea, but we don`t have enough data about normal penile length distribution of Korean male and their self-esteem about their penile size. So I investigated the flaccid and erect penile sizes of young Korean males and their penile size complex or pride if any. This study data could be a step stone to establish better operation indication and patient consultation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After explanation and agreement to the purpose and methods of this study, 171 Korean male in early 20`s who visit our institution were take part in. I measured their pre-pubic bone fat pad depth, flaccid penile length, flaccid mid-shaft circumferences and stretched length under warm and comfortable private environment. Then erect penile lengths and mid-shaft circumferences were measured after self-stimulation which was tried two times if needed. I used rigid ruler except the measuring of penile circumference to avoid measurement bias originated from penile skin curvature. Then they were asked to answer several questions including, `How do you think about your penile size?`, `Why do you think so?'. I used the correlation analysis and the student t-test to analyze our data statistically. RESULTS: Total number of study subject who can get sufficient erection is 156 among 171 subjects. In 156 subjects, mean flaccid length, flaccid circumference, erect length and erect circumference were 6.1+/-1.3cm, 8.9+/-0.8cm, 10.8+/-1.3cm and 11.3+/-1.2cm(Table 1). Mean stretched length was 9.6+/-1.2cm and the stretched length most closely correlated with the erect length(r=0.81)(Table 2). Mean fat pad depth was 1.1+/-0.4cm and mean functional penile length, the sum of erect length and fat pad depth, was 11.9+/-1.3cm. In 156 subjects, the answer about penile size were 7(4.5%) `very small`, 32(20.5%) `small`, 110(70.5%) `normal`, 7(4.5%) `large`, and no `very large`(Table 3). And most of them compared their penile size with others at rest room or rocker room. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that more Korean young males think their penile size is small rather than large. And their penile self-esteem is based on their flaccid length mostly. To define the length guideline of penile augmentation, I used flaccid length 3.5cm and erect length 8.2cm as reference values which are 2 standard deviation below from the average among normal distribution. In consultation of the patient who want penile augmentation, urologist should consider the tendency of low self-esteem about penile size and the distribution of flaccid and erect penile size of young Korean male.