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

Son, Hwancheol

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.