Penis Dysmorphia in Men: The Ultimate “Not Good Enough”
Have you ever noticed that jokes about penis size are still acceptable? It seems like the last taboo in the era of body positivity. That might change if more people know about penis dysmorphia.
What Is Penis Dysmorphia?
Penis dysmorphia is a subset of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) focused on the male genitals. It is sometimes called penile dysmorphic disorder (PDD). General BDD affects roughly 2.2% of the U.S. male population. Some men with this condition develop preoccupations with penis size and appearance. However, it’s unclear how many men have PDD.
What Are Symptoms of Penis Dysmorphia in Men?
Men with PDD are preoccupied with penis size and shape. This obsession is driven by insecurity. Research shows that most men affected by PDD also live with general BDD or intense insecurities around physical appearance. However, the penis is the main preoccupation.
PDD causes significant shame or distress. It can also hinder intimacy or personal relationships. Signs can include:
- Obsessively thinking about the appearance of your penis.
- Being fearful of sexual intimacy because of perceived penis flaws.
- Being afraid to change in locker rooms out of penis-related embarrassment.
- Being afraid that you have the smallest penis of everyone you know.
- Thinking people would be disgusted if they knew what your penis looked like.
- Feeling unworthy due to penis size or shape.
- Trying to alter your penis.
Altering the Penis
People with BDD often undergo excessive beauty or cosmetic treatments to fix imagined flaws. They may also work out or take steroids in pursuit of an ideal physique. Men with PDD may also alter their penises. This can include taking penis-enlargement pills or buying penis-stretching devices. You could also take it to the extreme by seeking surgery in a foreign country.
Treatments designed to enlarge the penis can be harmful. For example, long-term use of penis pumps can damage the penis’s elastic tissue. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has repeatedly warned against the use of some penis-enhancement pills that pose health risks. Some include dangerous ingredients that cause cardiovascular issues or extreme drops in blood pressure. Many men with PDD purchase unregulated penis pills on the Internet from unknown sources. This is dangerous because these pills could contain anything.
Abusing legitimate prescription penis pills can also be dangerous. Misuse of erectile dysfunction medications can trigger low blood pressure, muscle breakdown, a decrease in vision, seizures, damage to major blood vessels, and painful erections lasting for hours. Heart attack and stroke have also been reported in rare cases.
Some men with PDD try to stretch their penises. Social media has made a stretching technique called jelqing popular. Jelqing uses pulling exercises to stretch the penis. Aggressive or persistent pulling and stretching can damage the skin of the penis. There’s also a risk for Peyronie’s disease which involves the buildup of scar tissue and plaque under the skin of the penis. Men who harm their penises with stretching can also do ligament damage that limits erections.
What Causes Penis Dysmorphic Disorder in Men?
There are some theories. Emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect are risk factors for BDD. Teasing about genitals is a strong risk factor for PDD. A study that looked at sociocultural influences on men’s penis size perceptions identified three themes:
- The influence of pornography.
- Comparison with peers.
- Indirect appearance-related teasing.
Men in the study felt that penis size among male pornography actors had skewed their perception of normal penis size. All men in the study had also compared their penises with those of their peers. These “locker room” comparisons left them feeling smaller. There’s one more tidbit! Men in the study were aware that having a small penis was a source of mockery in mainstream media sources.
Our society equates penis size with manliness. Men with small penises can be rejected by society. The fear of being rejected or mocked by a partner could trigger PPD. You might even develop PDD as a result of harsh words from a partner. Commenting on penis size is the easiest way to wound a man in an argument.
The words still sting even if the partner was joking. It’s also possible that a partner compared you to an ex. Hearing that the last guy was “bigger” can cut a man down.
Porn is a whole other topic. Pornography can be a healthy part of anyone’s sex life if they chose for it to be, but there are some important things to remember, whether you’re an occasional consumer or a regular viewer. A reality of pornography is that unrealistic depictions of penis size in porn are causing a generation of men to question whether they can measure up or live up to the expectations of women. Research shows that men who watch porn are also more likely to be unhappy with their penis size compared to men who don’t. Porn consumption also predicts performance-related cognitive distraction during sexual activity among men.
Can PDD Hurt Your Sex Life?
In big ways! Some men may abstain from sex out of fear of penis judgment, and those with PDD who do engage often experience decreased sexual satisfaction. One study found that men with BDD concerning penis size are more likely to have erectile dysfunction and less satisfaction with intercourse. The kicker is that they maintain their libidos, which can lead to a very unsatisfying way of being if it’s not treated.
Take heart! Penis size doesn’t have the impact on sexual satisfaction people think. Studies show that most people are satisfied with their partner’s penis size.
Do You Have PDD If You’re Worried About Penis Size?
Not necessarily. It’s normal for men to feel insecure about penis size from time to time. One way to know whether you have PDD is if the thoughts become obsessive or if they’re also causing you distress.
What to Do If You Think You Have Penis Dysmorphia
Talk to a therapist specializing in men’s health right away. Like BDD, PDD can be addressed with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, and other treatments. If you’re in a relationship, talk with your partner about what’s going on. They deserve to know why you’ve been avoiding intimacy.
