Your penis may look totally different on account of a not often talked about situation

Only 50% of blokes are happy with their penis for all sorts of reasons.

From size to the way it looks to girth – there are lots of things that play on a man’s mind when it comes to his manhood. But, for some men, there’s a condition that’s impacting their image – no matter how well-endowed they are.

Even though it’s not that common, lots of men have been reporting online that they’re suffering with buried penis. It’s also known as hidden penis or retractile penis, and there are things you can do to overcome it.

READ MORE: ‘I have the biggest penis in Britain – people keep asking me for pics of it’

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Metro recently spoke with Dr Hana Patel, an NHS GP, to learn more about the condition. Dr Patel said: “This term is used for a normal sized penis that might be covered by either skin, subcutaneous tissue and/or fat in the prepubic area.”

Even though it’s not common, the condition “tends to be congenital”. It tends to be present when a baby is born but, if an adult experiences it in later life, it’s often linked to obesity and it can impact a person’s sex life.

She added: “Some men with buried penis are unable to achieve an erection or find that their erections are quite painful. Some men who are able to achieve a normal erection, may find that due to the layers of tissues above it, that the tissue might rise but the penis may not protrude beyond them.”

While the look may alarm you, it’s not the same as having a micropenis. Instead, a buried penis is when it becomes hidden inside folds of skin or fat. If you have a micropenis, this is usually diagnosed at birth.

Micropenises are rare. In fact, just 0.6% of men have them worldwide. When it comes to what classes as a micropenis, it has to measure 2.75 inches at most when fully erect.

Why have I got a buried penis?

Even though there is often a link with obesity, this isn’t the only cause. Dr Patel explained: “There may be penile skin deficiency associated with circumcision or trauma, Fournier’s gangrene, or complications of penile enlargement surgery.

“Some men may also have severe scrotal lymphedema that causes a buried penis too.”

According to the NHS, Fournier’s gangrene is a very rare but life-threatening bacterial infection that effects tissue under the skin that surrounds muscles, nerves, fat, and blood vessels around the testicles, penis and the perineum.

Having a buried penis can also impact a man’s mental health, especially if the condition is linked to morbid obesity. Both conditions have a big impact on a man’s self-esteem.

If this is the case, anyone concerned should contact their GP to talk things through.

Can I treat the condition?

“If being overweight is the cause, then weight loss may improve some symptoms for those who have a buried penis,” added Dr Patel.

However, the treatment you receive will depend on what’s actually causing the issue.

Dr Patel continued: “To improve the way a buried penis looks, surgeons can remove excess skin, fat, or scar tissue to free the penis. When combined with postoperative weight loss, surgical repair of buried penis can greatly benefit patients by improving urinary and sexual function in addition to their mental and psychological well-being.”

For those struggling to have sex, this could lead to psychological consequences, and counselling may be considered if people are feeling depressed as a result of the issue. Make sure you speak out and seek help.

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