Related concepts:

Absent penis, Buried penis, Concealed penis, Hidden penis, Micropenis, Penile agenesis, Trapped penis, Webbed penis

Introduction to inconspicuous penis:

"It's a boy!"

When we first glimpse our children in the delivery room, their sex is one of the immediate things we notice. It's also one of the first things we report to family and friends. In the last generation, many of us have seen evidence of our children's sex on ultrasound even before they were born, but still at the birth look to see.

How disconcerting to parents when a boy's penis seems to disappear, either at birth or shortly thereafter. The good news is that the outlook is bright.

What is inconspicuous penis?

When a penis appears absent or too small, we call the condition inconspicuous penis. I've seen this in a great many boys. Several very different situations are lumped into this category. I will describe webbed penis, concealed penis, trapped penis, micropenis, and absent penis.

Who gets inconspicuous penis?
Boys can be born with a webbed penis, or the condition can result from an over-exuberant circumcision where adhesions form between the scrotal skin and the penile skin. Webbed penis usually causes no problems (unless a routine circumcision is later performed).

Some children are born with a concealed penis (also known as buried penis or hidden penis), and for some it happens after circumcision. It is common in infants and toddlers, and occasionally seen in older children and obese adolescents.

Children are not born with trapped penis; circumcision causes it. Routine circumcision of a webbed penis or circumcision when there is significant scrotal swelling (from a hydrocele or hernia) can lead to trapped penis.

Micropenis is a hormonal problem that takes place sometime after 14 weeks gestation when the penis has already formed.

Absent penis, or penile agenesis, is very rare, occurring in fewer than 1 in 20 million boys.

What are the symptoms of inconspicuous penis?

A webbed penis is a normal-sized penis where the skin of the scrotal sack extends part way up the shaft of the penis.

A concealed penis is a normal-sized penis that lays hidden in the pubic fat pad. This condition is also called buried penis or hidden penis. Often the penis can be easily exposed by gently pulling on it or by pressing down on the surrounding fat pad.

A trapped penis is a normal-sized penis that is partially stuck in the pubic fat pad. Scarring or adhesions trap the recessed penis in the fat pad. This condition can predispose children to urinary tract infections or urinary retention. Surgery is usually wise.

All of the above conditions have a penis of normal size.