Penis size/finding a paediatrician

[Izzymamma]

DS is 6 and I'm noticing from seeing other children that his penis is a lot smaller than others. I looked up information online, and I haven't measured it but I suspect he is near the threshold of a micropenis. I've made an appointment with the GP to talk about whether this should be a concern (at first instance without ds since I don't want him to worry about this if it isn't) but I'm worried I'd be fobbed off. What are other people's experience with this? He can pee comfortably sitting down, which he prefers (I don't know if he knows how to pee standing up, or if that is something he needs to be taught?). I guess my main concern is if he gets teased when kids start to notice/care about these things, and whether there could be something underlying it (but he is otherwise quite normal), and not knowing if there is any actual difference between micropenis and a small penis other than size (and whether it will be a problem during puberty/adulthood). Advice please.

How is his general musculature? Voice octave? (Both tough to use as definitive on children). Size varies obviously but a testosterone level check would show in a blood panel if asked for specifically which does affect penis size in childhood and can determine if testosterone treatment is warranted (about the only way to treat micro penis). Its all very early but if you are concerned there are steps you can take to remove worry and to intervene if warranted.

If it's a genuine concern for you, a GP will see you. Most likely they would do some other assessments in terms of height / weight, examining the scrotum and testes as well as the penis. And depending on the level of concern (theirs, but accounting for yours too if they are wise) they can refer to a paediatrician, or write for advice.

Treatment with hormones would only be done under specialist care.

I didn't even realise children made testosterone at that age. He's quite skinny, but averagely strong for his age/build I guess? We haven't had any concerns, other than noticing he's not the best runner but then he doesn't need to be. His voice is on the low side. I didn't realise that was determined by testosterone at this age either. Is it really?

Testosterone effects begin in the womb. Children do put out low levels of testosterone which do affect structure development that is more fully seen at later ages and which is why micro-penis can be helped when caught very early with testosterone therapy - I'm not advocating, just informing, it could all be much ado about nothing but if a concern can be raised and fairly easily checked.

You need to ask your child's paediatrician to refer your child to a paediatric urologist or paediatric endocrinologist. There is no immediate urgency, but if his under-developed penis is do to a structural or hormonal issue, it should be evaluated so that treatment can begin at or just before puberty. This is a normal age for your child to notice such differences in comparison to other boys such as in a swimming pool changing room, and it is something that other boys his age will begin to notice also. As far as him being teased or bullied for having a small penis, or it affecting him socially in his teen years, you are right to be concerned. There is only so much you can do, and the distribution of human penis sizes follows a bell-shaped curve. There will always be outliers at either narrow end of that curve (those with very small ones and the very large ones), but it will be socially inconvenient by about age 14 for it to be known among his peers that his penis is far below average in size. On the other hand, by about age 25, it won't much matter, so he may have a difficult decade or so, if there isn't an obvious and available medical solution, if he enters adulthood with a micropenis.

This is the second thread recently about children's penis size. I really hope they haven't been started by the same person and are genuine

How did your drs apt go? Similar concerns for my son too

Hi did you ever ask your doctor about this?

Hiya,
so we’ve seen 2 paediatrician.
one said he’s it’s small, but he’s not sure and to ask when we are next at the children’s hospital- so that was a waste of time.
the second one did take measurements and said she thinks it’s ok and didn’t want to refer onto endo.
I am still concerned to be honest.

Did they mention what a normal size is for a 6 year old? I’ve found conflicting info. Its good that the second pedi took measurements- is seeing a urologist an option?