AIMTo investigate the flaccid and stretched penile sizes of young Korean men and their complexes or pride about their penile size.

METHODSAfter an explanation and agreement to the purpose and methods of this study, 123 Korean men in their early 20's visiting the Jinhae Military General Hospital were included in the study. The flaccid penile length, flaccid mid-shaft circumference, stretched length and pre-pubic bone fat pad depth were measured in a warm comfortable environment. The accuracy the subjects assessed their penile size was investigated by asking them to rate their penile size, as 'very small', 'small', 'normal', 'large'or 'very large', All subjects were asked to complete the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI) test.

RESULTSThe mean flaccid length, flaccid circumference, stretched length and fat pad depth of the 123 subjects were (6.9+/-0.8) cm, (8.5+/-1.1) cm, (9.6 +/-0.8) cm and (1.1 +/-0.4) cm, respectively. The answer distribution on penile size was 1 (0.8 %) 'very small', 29 (23.6 %) 'small', 86 (69.9 %) 'normal', 6 (4.9 %) 'large' and 1 (0.8%) 'very large'. Subjects who underestimated their penile size showed significantly higher scores on the hypochondriasis (Hs), depression (D) and psychasthenia (Pt) subscales of the MMPI than those in the Unbiased Group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn consultation, with a patient requesting penile augmentation, the urologist should consider the psychologic attitude of the patient to his penile size.