It is important for a person to have functions suitable for their gender as well as their gender. For sexual function and reproduction, sexual organs should be sufficient, as well as normal sex hormones. Hormones provide sexual differentiation and adequate sexual organs starting from the first weeks of pregnancy. More attention is paid to the genitals of boys because they are always in sight. Penis size is always a matter of curiosity. Small penis is also always a concern in families. Small penis is an issue that should be carefully evaluated as it may cause problems in the future and may be an indication of some important medical problems.
The penis develops between 8 and 16 weeks of pregnancy. Two male hormones, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, play a role in the development of the penis. These two hormones ensure penis enlargement from the last three months of pregnancy to the first six months of infancy. Therefore, in order for the penis to reach normal size, the hormones secreted by the baby in the womb must be sufficient. In general, between the 6th month and the onset of puberty, the penis growth is slow and it reaches adult sizes with the effect of male hormones increasing with puberty. For the growth of the penis, the tissues that respond to these hormones need to be normal as well as the hormones. Male hormones are necessary for penis enlargement as well as sexual desire and erection of the penis.
The length of the penis is evaluated by stretching it and measuring the distance between its root and tip. Sometimes the penis is embedded in the fatty tissue in the genital area. This is called an embedded penis. In this case, penile length should be evaluated more carefully. Penis length in a newborn baby is 1.9 cm. If it’s small, there’s a big problem. If a child’s penis is shorter than the smallest penis size suitable for his age, it means he has a small penis.
Parents should be interested in the genital structures of babies from the newborn period. If the family thinks that their baby’s penis is small, they should definitely take them to a center with pediatric endocrinology.
Table: Mean and lower limit of normal stretched penis lengths in normal boys
Average age (lower limit)
0–5 months 3.9 1.9
6–12 months 4.3 2.3
1–2 years 4.7 2.6
2–3 years 5.1 2.9
3–4 years 5.5 3.3
4–5 years 5.7 3.5
5–6 years 6.0 3.8
6–7 years 6.1 3.9
7–8 years 6.2 3.7
8–9 years 6.3 3.8
9–10 years 6 3.8
10–11 years 6.4 3.7
Adult 13.3 9.3
Small penis either alone or externally It occurs with a general disorder in genital structures. In both cases, there is a deficiency in the hormones that provide sexual development or in the tissues that make up the penis. The smallness of the penis and the absence of the testicles should suggest that there is an insufficiency in the hormones of the baby in the womb. The ambiguity of the baby’s sexual appearance together with the small penis is a problem that requires urgent evaluation. Small penis can also be a result of certain syndromes or growth hormone deficiency. In some cases of small penis, no cause is found. The most important issue in children with small penis is whether the penis length will be sufficient for sexual intercourse in adulthood. For this reason, a series of examinations should be performed to show the function of both the testicles and the response of the penile tissue to hormones, starting from the newborn period. The sexual identity of children whose penis is very small and does not respond to male hormones should be re-evaluated. It is necessary to monitor children who have penile enlargement with low-dose male hormone and have no other problems until the end of adolescence and to plan treatment according to the cause.
The penis develops between 8 and 16 weeks of pregnancy. Two male hormones, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, play a role in the development of the penis. These two hormones ensure penis enlargement from the last three months of pregnancy to the first six months of infancy. Therefore, in order for the penis to reach normal size, the hormones secreted by the baby in the womb must be sufficient. In general, between the 6th month and the onset of puberty, the penis growth is slow and it reaches adult sizes with the effect of male hormones increasing with puberty. For the growth of the penis, the tissues that respond to these hormones need to be normal as well as the hormones. Male hormones are necessary for penis enlargement as well as sexual desire and erection of the penis.
The length of the penis is evaluated by stretching it and measuring the distance between its root and tip. Sometimes the penis is embedded in the fatty tissue in the genital area. This is called an embedded penis. In this case, penile length should be evaluated more carefully. Penis length in a newborn baby is 1.9 cm. If it’s small, there’s a big problem. If a child’s penis is shorter than the smallest penis size suitable for his age, it means he has a small penis.
Parents should be interested in the genital structures of babies from the newborn period. If the family thinks that their baby’s penis is small, they should definitely take them to a center with pediatric endocrinology.
Table: Mean and lower limit of normal stretched penis lengths in normal boys
Average age (lower limit)
0–5 months 3.9 1.9
6–12 months 4.3 2.3
1–2 years 4.7 2.6
2–3 years 5.1 2.9
3–4 years 5.5 3.3
4–5 years 5.7 3.5
5–6 years 6.0 3.8
6–7 years 6.1 3.9
7–8 years 6.2 3.7
8–9 years 6.3 3.8
9–10 years 6 3.8
10–11 years 6.4 3.7
Adult 13.3 9.3
Small penis either alone or externally It occurs with a general disorder in genital structures. In both cases, there is a deficiency in the hormones that provide sexual development or in the tissues that make up the penis. The smallness of the penis and the absence of the testicles should suggest that there is an insufficiency in the hormones of the baby in the womb. The ambiguity of the baby’s sexual appearance together with the small penis is a problem that requires urgent evaluation. Small penis can also be a result of certain syndromes or growth hormone deficiency. In some cases of small penis, no cause is found. The most important issue in children with small penis is whether the penis length will be sufficient for sexual intercourse in adulthood. For this reason, a series of examinations should be performed to show the function of both the testicles and the response of the penile tissue to hormones, starting from the newborn period. The sexual identity of children whose penis is very small and does not respond to male hormones should be re-evaluated. It is necessary to monitor children who have penile enlargement with low-dose male hormone and have no other problems until the end of adolescence and to plan treatment according to the cause.
