11yo with a very small penis

LostInTranslations · 2023-05-08T19:44:24+00:00

I have namechanged for this. My 11yo, who will be 12 in the summer, has a very small penis. It doesn't look as though it has grown since he was a baby. Generally he is quite tall for his age and well built, he has always been on the 95th centile for height and weight, so this just makes it all the more apparent. He has started getting some public hairs, but no testicular growth or underarm hair or voice deepening etc. I'm starting to wonder if this is normal and I should just leave it, or if it's something that I should get checked, and if the latter, by who? The GP? Does he need a specialist? He has noticed too (the joys of having an older brother!) and has voiced concern, but I'm not sure what to say as I don't know if it's normal or not! Any help appreciated please, especially if anyone has a son who has experienced the same thing.

concerned2289 · 08/05/2023 21:21

I've name changed to protect my son's privacy but my son is 11 (12 in august) and he has a similar issue.

We took him to the GP who was very good and examined my DS in a way that made him comfortable- as much as that sort of thing can be anyway! He was referred to the hospital and the paediatrician has referred him for a blood test to check for Klinefelter Syndrome. He has the blood test on Wednesday this week.

I knew about Klinefelter from some googling and raised this as a concern. Hopefully it's not that and instead he just has delayed growth but I'll update here when I find out.

If you're worried then pop him along to the GP perhaps just in case.

Morello339 · 08/05/2023 21:26

So strange but I had the same worries. We're a very open house with nudity and I would never mention anything but he did yo me the other day. Like a bit of a joke 'mum, mine is really small still'.

I wouldn't say he has hit puberty yet so I'm not overly worried, and if a few of us have experienced it it can't be that rare.

Maybe TMI but his dad isn't overly endowed, is there a genetic link.

I know it sounds like a weird thing to be concerned about, but I don't want him having any insecurities I can't correctly reassure him on.

I hadn't even considered the GP.

concerned2289 · 08/05/2023 21:29

My DH and I debated for ages about whether to take our DS to the GP to be honest. It's a sensitive topic and we didn't want him to be worried but the GP was quite quick to suggest that he be referred to the hospital.

I'm still hoping he's just a little delayed and puberty will sort things out.

JaggySplinter · 08/05/2023 21:45

In boys, you don't really need to worry until they are 14. Many boys don't show any signs of puberty until then, and personally I would not be concerned yet.

However, if he is concerned there's nothing wrong in getting the GP to check everything is ok (eg are his testes descended etc).

However, as he does have signs of puberty already, then there is very little chance that there is anything major going on.

Original poster

LostInTranslations · 08/05/2023 22:14

concerned2289 · 08/05/2023 21:21

I've name changed to protect my son's privacy but my son is 11 (12 in august) and he has a similar issue.

We took him to the GP who was very good and examined my DS in a way that made him comfortable- as much as that sort of thing can be anyway! He was referred to the hospital and the paediatrician has referred him for a blood test to check for Klinefelter Syndrome. He has the blood test on Wednesday this week.

I knew about Klinefelter from some googling and raised this as a concern. Hopefully it's not that and instead he just has delayed growth but I'll update here when I find out.

If you're worried then pop him along to the GP perhaps just in case.

I haven’t heard of kleinfelters before, I don’t think my DS has any of the other symptoms other than being quite tall but it’s good to know about it, thank you. I hope all goes well with your DS and also that the GP took it seriously. I worry that they would think I’m a weird neurotic mum!

OP posts:

Original poster

LostInTranslations · 08/05/2023 22:16

JaggySplinter · 08/05/2023 21:45

In boys, you don't really need to worry until they are 14. Many boys don't show any signs of puberty until then, and personally I would not be concerned yet.

However, if he is concerned there's nothing wrong in getting the GP to check everything is ok (eg are his testes descended etc).

However, as he does have signs of puberty already, then there is very little chance that there is anything major going on.

Thank you. Do you mean that as he is showing signs of puberty then there is not likely to be anything like a genetic or endocrine issue going on?

OP posts:

Original poster

LostInTranslations · 08/05/2023 22:16

Morello339 · 08/05/2023 21:26

So strange but I had the same worries. We're a very open house with nudity and I would never mention anything but he did yo me the other day. Like a bit of a joke 'mum, mine is really small still'.

I wouldn't say he has hit puberty yet so I'm not overly worried, and if a few of us have experienced it it can't be that rare.

Maybe TMI but his dad isn't overly endowed, is there a genetic link.

I know it sounds like a weird thing to be concerned about, but I don't want him having any insecurities I can't correctly reassure him on.

I hadn't even considered the GP.

How old is your son? There’s always something to worry about isn’t there?

OP posts:

starsparkle08 · 08/05/2023 22:24

i have same worries . Son aged 11 and 12 this summer . He has autism adhd and learning difficulties . Been googling Klinefelter syndrome now . I’d not heard of that

BabyST · 08/05/2023 22:51

I have 3 boys 21/17/14 my 21 year old has Klinefleter Syndrome it causes infertility but normally found when the testies are found to be small @concerned2289 feel free to reach out to me if you want equally anyone can. We found my 14 year old is very much like the 21 year old. We are an open family and the boys walk around nude as they please. My 14 year old size is small and has very little pubic hair for his age just like how my older boy was.

I had no support going though it back in 2017 when we stated our journey. We accidentally found out when we though the oldest had a testicle torsion but that’s when they found his testies to be 2 and 3mm in size. He doesn’t have any body hair, pubic hair just to pants line and little facial hair

concerned2289 · 08/05/2023 22:56

@BabyST thanks for your message. Good to know someone that has been through the testing. It doesn't seem like a condition many have heard of, I think I only found it through a random google search.

I hope your DS has adjusted to knowing about his condition. From what I read online it's v common for men to only find out when they find fertility issues.

BabyST · 08/05/2023 22:59

@concerned2289 about 1% of men have it but as you say most don’t find out this early in their young lives. As I say we found out by accident so to speak.

Pixiedust1234 · 08/05/2023 23:05

Since your son has voiced his own concerns then I think you should make a GP appointment for him. He has obviously noticed he is different to his peers and is worried.

YoungWild · 08/05/2023 23:16

My son is 14 and is in the same boat. We are in hospital with sepsis after testicular torsion. He is been seen tomorrow by a specialist to check his development. We are nude a lot at home so know there’s been no change in a few years. My daughter is two years younger and a lot more developed I know boys can be slower

NurseEssie · 08/05/2023 23:33

@concerned2289 isn't Klinefelter Syndrome when a male is born with an extra X chromosome?

Would this have been picked up during the NIPT test (if you did one)?

Just a logical thought ..

illiterato · 08/05/2023 23:36

dont want to be crude but there's saying of "it's a show-er or a grower". So basically, it's big flaccid or it's big erect and some apparently small penises end up big erect.

I have same worries with 12 yo DS who is quite tall for his age but no growth apparent in that region. However, apparently until puberty, hard to say where he'll end up. DS has no other signs of puberty at the moment. GP said absolutely normal and not to worry for at least 2 years.

God, girl puberty so much easier!!

BabyST · 08/05/2023 23:37

NurseEssie · 08/05/2023 23:33

@concerned2289 isn't Klinefelter Syndrome when a male is born with an extra X chromosome?

Would this have been picked up during the NIPT test (if you did one)?

Just a logical thought ..

@NurseEssie No this is not picked up unless a blood test goes looking for it. You are however correct it’s when a boy is born with XXY chromosome

DidyouNO · 08/05/2023 23:43

He's 11! I have three boys 2 adult and 1s 10. Nothing happens until puberty. It is the same as a babies. That's what puberty does and for boys that's around 13-15!

Morello339 · 09/05/2023 06:38

LostInTranslations · 08/05/2023 22:16

How old is your son? There’s always something to worry about isn’t there?

Show quote history

He's 12, so still young. Just started secondary school.

I'm glad I found this post and it has reassured me I'm not mad for worrying about it. I think I'll calm myself until he's 14.

He has no other signs of puberty so fingers crossed he'll be fine and everything will happen in time.

I'm not penis expert and his dad isn't as 'open' as the rest of us are.

RocketIceLollie · 09/05/2023 07:09

I probably wouldn't recommend approaching him to have any chat about it. Not sure there is much you'll be able to do about it, but yeah I'm not expert on penises either. He'll probably be a grower. A few guys penises I've been with before their penises largen up well enough when aroused.

xxymum · 09/05/2023 07:53

Hi. I've name changed for this.
My son is in his 30s and has klinefelters. He wasn't diagnosed until early 20s.
He was concerned about having breast tissue so went to the GP

Klinefelters isn't just about puberty and penis size. There is also learning difficulties and immaturity and other possible SEN and mental health problems.

My son has testosterone shots which do help but I'm not gonna lie it's been hard.

anotherscroller · 09/05/2023 07:55

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

xxymum · 09/05/2023 08:08

@anotherscroller
As I said it's not about having a small penis.
The mental health side is way worse.
My son has anxiety, learning difficulties, low IQ, depression,low self esteem the list goes on. He needs a great deal of support and it's frankly exhausting.
He's has 1 relationship which was abusive mentally, physically, emotionally and sexually abusive.
Maybe look it up and you'll realise your joke about sleeping with someone with this syndrome isn't particularly funny.
In fact it's pretty offensive.

xxymum · 09/05/2023 08:14

@LostInTranslations
I'm not saying your son has klinefelters but it might be worth a check.
Does he have any other difficulties?
I think the late diagnosis for my son made us less prepared for it. I'd never heard of it before.
School had flagged up his learning difficulties but didn't think it was linked to anything else.
Hopefully your son will just hit puberty and will be fine.
I have 2 other sons. One did not start puberty until he was 14 and my other one at 12. All kids are different.

JaggySplinter · 09/05/2023 09:58

LostInTranslations · 08/05/2023 22:16

Thank you. Do you mean that as he is showing signs of puberty then there is not likely to be anything like a genetic or endocrine issue going on?

Show quote history

Yes, exactly. If he's growing armpit hair and pubic hair already, then there is very little chance that there is an endocrine issue.

Many boys have no signs of puberty until age 13 to 14.

NurseCranesRolodex · 09/05/2023 10:11

xxymum · 09/05/2023 08:08

@anotherscroller
As I said it's not about having a small penis.
The mental health side is way worse.
My son has anxiety, learning difficulties, low IQ, depression,low self esteem the list goes on. He needs a great deal of support and it's frankly exhausting.
He's has 1 relationship which was abusive mentally, physically, emotionally and sexually abusive.
Maybe look it up and you'll realise your joke about sleeping with someone with this syndrome isn't particularly funny.
In fact it's pretty offensive.

You sound like a huge supporter of your son and what you have said has been news to me. It's making me think about some of the young people I've worked with and wondering if this could be a consideration, thanks. Hope your DS is getting over his bad experiences.