I’m a Family Medicine Doctor. This is How Having a Micropenis Can Affect Your Fertility and Sex Life
- By Rebekah Harding
- November 20, 2023
Penises are brilliant,” Laura Purdy, M.D., a family medicine physician, declared on a recent episode of the Hone In podcast with Hone Health CEO Saad Alam. But men who clock in a few inches smaller than average don’t share that same sentiment about their own package, as evidenced by the number of Google searches for “Do I have a micropenis?”
Forty-five percent of guys think they have a small penis, even if they’re average, according to a 2015 study (1). The same study found that 85 percent of women were perfectly content with their partner’s penis size. This captures the growing trend of men developing penis dysmorphia.
While penis dysmorphia isn’t a clinical diagnosis like body dysmorphia or gender dysphoria, pressures to overperform in the bedroom have led to an uptick in men feeling insecure about their completely average junk.
Purdy explains what, exactly, a micropenis is, how having a micropenis could impact your fertility, and why you can have great sex no matter how much you’re packing.
Does penis size really matter? How do I bring up my fantasies to my partner? Dr. Purdy answers your burning questions on the Hone In podcast.
What Is a Micropenis?
You may have heard the term micropenis thrown around to describe any penis that’s more George Constanza than Kramer. But even if you’re slightly shy of the 5-inch average erect penis size, you don’t have a micropenis.
Purdy explains that a micropenis, by definition, is 3 inches or shorter when erect (and measured from the base of the penis). Only around 0.6 percent of men worldwide have a “micropenis.”
Does Having a Micropenis Affect Fertility?
“Not necessarily,” Purdy says. “As long as there is not a genetic issue.”
Genetic conditions like hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (low testosterone caused by a malfunction in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus), Prader-Willi syndrome, and Kallman syndrome are commonly associated with micropenises and infertility.
“If you have a micropenis, the first thing you want to do is see your doctor. Because there can be some chromosomal abnormalities or some other genetic conditions that you’re born with that the micropenis can be a sign of,” Purdy explains.
Micropenises and Relationships
“If you get checked out and everything is fine and you just have a smaller than average penis, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to negatively impact your sex life,” Purdy says. While some micropenises may still be big enough for penetrative sex, you can also deploy other skills—like oral or manual sex—to satisfy your partner.
“Together you can work to figure out how to have a healthy, mutually satisfying sexual relationship,” Purdy says.
The most important thing, per Purdy, is finding a relationship that is emotionally safe. Purdy urges guys—regardless of their penis size—to find a person that is going to say, “I love you. I am not in love with you just because of the size of your penis. I’m in love with you and also your penis.”
Treatment for Micropenis
Conditions (like hypogonadotropic hypogonadism) associated with having a micropenis can be treated with hormone replacement therapy, per Purdy.
For men with a micropenis who want to boost their size or improve their erections, Purdy says penis pumps, implants, or the P-shot can do the trick.
Hone’s at-home testosterone assessment is the simplest way to uncover whether your levels are low. If you qualify for treatment, TRT can be sent right to your door.
