What is Hidden Penis?

Because of my love of all things medical, I enjoy the show Doctor 90210. On a recent episode, Doctor Gary J. Alter had a patient who was a forty-nine year old virgin. Why, you may ask? The patient suffered from a very severe case of hidden penis. The condition literally made it impossible for the patient to have intercourse. So what exactly is hidden penis?

Hidden penis is a real medical condition that greatly affects the people who have it. The condition is sometimes referred to as buried penis, concealed penis, trapped penis, and inconspicuous penis. Despite the many names, all the terms describe the same condition. Hidden penis refers to a penis that is actually normal sized but appears smaller because part of all of it is hidden. The condition is usually present at birth but it can sometimes occur later in life as a result of many factors. Hidden penis is not to be confused with penile agenesis or aphalia, a condition where an infant is born without a penis.

Hidden penis is almost always congenital. Congenital causes include excessive fat in the lower abdomen (congenital fat pad), poor skin fixation to the shaft of the penis, and excessively tight foreskin. When any or all of these conditions are present at birth, the result is a penis that appears to be hidden. In some cases, hidden penis occurs after birth. Some causes of this include obesity, aging, chronic inflammation, pelvic trauma, or an overly aggressive circumcision.

Hidden penis is diagnosed by a doctor following a physical examination. Sometimes the condition is so pronounced it can be diagnosed at birth. It isn't uncommon for congenital hidden penis to resolve itself in a few years. Sometimes, the condition persists for the patient's whole life. In most of these cases, the condition gets worse as the patient ages. Patients with hidden penis, especially those with severe cases, are at risk for many complications and side effects. These include urinary tract infections and the inability to have sex. Sometimes the effects of hidden penis can be reduced with things such as weight loss and muscle strengthening. In many cases, however, the only "cure" is surgery.