A buried penis is a health condition that develops when skin and fat obscures your penis, making it appear smaller than it actually is. In most cases, the penis is still typical in size and function, but the skin and fat from your scrotal or pubic area just makes it less visible.
Having a buried penis — sometimes referred to as a hidden, concealed, trapped, or inconspicuous penis — can severely impact your urological and sexual functions along with your mental health.
At his practices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, reconstructive urologist Paul Chung, MD, FACS, and our team understand how much a buried penis can impact your quality of life, which is why we offer surgical techniques to address the causes of your hidden penis.
In this month’s blog, we highlight some common reasons for a buried penis and how we can effectively treat it with surgery.
A buried penis can sometimes be the result of congenital factors that occur during fetal development and cause issues with skin and fat layers around your penis. It could be that the ligaments around your penis are too lax, you have too much scrotal skin attached to the tip of your penis, or you have a large fat pad that covers your pubic region.
Another possible cause of a buried penis is a complication from circumcision surgery. If too much or too little foreskin is removed during the procedure, the leftover skin can get pulled forward and hide your penis.
In adult males, some of the more common causes of a buried penis are weight challenges and genital lymphedema.
Having a body mass index (BMI) over 40 can cause excess fat and skin to cover your penis. Genital lymphedema happens when there’s a problem with your lymphatic system and too much lymph fluid gathers in your scrotal area, leading to swelling and a hidden penis.
A buried penis can lead to a variety of health complications. It can make urination difficult and lead to issues with proper hygiene, triggering skin infections and urinary tract infections. You might also struggle with sexual function and have difficulties with erectile function or penetration.
Surgery for a buried penis can offer an effective solution to these complications.
Because a buried penis can have a variety of causes, the surgical approach needs to match the underlying problem. Most of the surgical techniques focus on skin and fat removal along with penile reconstruction.
Before your buried penis surgery, Dr. Chung assesses your situation and walks you through the treatment plan. Depending on your needs and goals, your surgery can include:
We can also treat any underlying issues that have stemmed from your buried penis, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) or infections.
To learn how surgery can address your buried penis and restore your quality of life, schedule a consultation to learn more about your surgical options and create a treatment plan.
Simply call your nearest office location or book online today.
