Study Finds Circumcision Affects Penis Size
Canadian Urological Association
Medical researchers from South Korea wanted to look at the relationships between penis size, circumcision status, and second to fourth digit ratio with penile size. They published a peer-reviewed medical study in the Canadian Urological Association Journal. They found that circumcised men had statistically significantly smaller, shorter penises that intact uncircumcised men. For further information on how circumcision affects penis size you can read the entire study below.
Prospective investigation of newborn circumcision, penis size, and second to fourth digit ratio
Can Urol Assoc J. 2016 Sep-Oct; 10(9-10): E296–E299.
Published online 2016 Sep 13. doi: 10.5489/cuaj.3590
Jong Kwan Park, MD,1,* A. Ram Doo, MD,2,* Joo Heung Kim, MD,3 Hyung Sub Park, MD,4 Jung Mo Do, MD,5 Hwang Choi, MD,5 Seung Chol Park, MD,6 Myung Ki Kim, MD,1,† Young Beom Jeong, MD,1 Hyung Jim Kim, MD,1 Young Gon Kim, MD,1 and Yu Seob Shin, MD1,†
Conclusions on circumcision and penis length:
Despite the small number of subjects, this study shows that NMC [Newborn Male Circumcision] was associated with shorter penile size. Second to fourth digit ratio, flaccid penile length, and age of circumcision were also significant predictive factors for erectile penile length. Further multicentre studies with larger number of subjects and biochemical analyses are needed for potential clinical applicability.
Introduction:
We prospectively investigated the relationship between newborn male circumcision, penis length, and second to fourth digit ratio.
Methods:
As participants for our study, we identified already circumcised young patients who visited our hospital for urological treatment. The age at which the circumcision had been done was assessed. The patients’ height and weight were measured. Second to fourth digit ratio was calculated by measuring the second and fourth digit lengths. The flaccid and erectile penile lengths were measured from the base of the penis to the tip of the glans in standing position.
Results:
A total of 248 patients were included in our study. In univariate analysis, height, second to fourth digit ratio, flaccid penile length, and age of circumcision were associated with erectile penile length. Among these variables, second to fourth digit ratio, flaccid penile length, and age of circumcision were significant predictive factors for erectile penile length in multivariate analysis. The subjects were divided into two groups, including 72 patients in the NMC group and 176 patients in the non-NMC group. No significant difference was found in height, weight, and second to fourth digit ratio between both groups. However, flaccid (p<0.001) and erectile (p=0.001) penile lengths were shorter in the NMC group than in the non-NMC group.
Conclusions:
Despite the small number of subjects, this study shows that NMC circumcision was associated with shorter penis length. Second to fourth digit ratio, flaccid penile length, and age of circumcision were also significant predictive factors for erectile penile length. Further multicentre studies with larger number of subjects and biochemical analyses are needed for potential clinical applicability.
Newborn male circumcision (NMC) is one of the oldest and most frequently performed operations.1 The recent survey of the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that the health benefits of NMC outweigh the risks, and the benefits of NMC justify access to this procedure for those families who choose it.2 NMC offers numerous health benefits and protections against certain medical conditions, including human immunodeficiency virus, sexually transmitted infections, and penile cancer.3,4
While there is controversy about the best age for male circumcision, there are currently no studies that have investigated the association between penile length and the age at which circumcision was performed. The aim for this study is to figure out how NMC affects the growth of penis by investigating the association between circumcision and penis length, size and the age of circumcision.
Subjects for study on circumcision and penis length
As participants for our study, we identified men who were already circumcised among patients who visited our hospital for urological treatment from November 2014 to August 2015. Participants between the ages of 18 and 28 who had undergone circumcision previously were prospectively enrolled in this study. Men with hypospadias, urethral structure, Peyronie’s disease, penile cancer, or a history of endocrine disease, urethroplasty, or other penile surgeries (except for circumcision) that may have a major influence on penile length were excluded. Study protocols and informed consent forms were approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB; Number, AFMC-15065-IRB-15-059). Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects before study enrollment. This study was conducted in accordance with the good clinical practice and the international conference on harmonization guidelines, and in conformity with the ethical principles of the declaration of Helsinki. Patients were recruited prospectively and consecutively.
Measurement for penis length
All the patients’ height and weight were measured. The age at which the circumcision had been done was assessed. The second and fourth digit lengths of the right hand and flaccid/erectile penile lengths were measured by a single investigator using a rigid ruler. The calculations were taken to the nearest 0.1 cm. The second and fourth digit lengths of the right hand were measured directly on the ventral surfaces of the fingers, from the crease proximal to the palm at the base of each digit to the digit tip, and the second to fourth digit ratio was calculated. The flaccid penile length and erectile penile length were measured from the base of the penis (pubic bone) at the pubo-penile junction to the tip of the glans in standing position. The starting point was on the dorsal aspect of the penis at its base at the pubicpenile skin junction, pushing the pre-pubic fat pad against the pubic bone, and the tip of the penis was the other reference point. The penile erection was achieved by provision of adult magazine. The estimation was done swiftly in a warm private room to avoid any effect of temperature or touch on penile measurements.
Statistical analysis
Relationships between study variables were analyzed using Pearson’s linear correlation. To identify the independent predictive factors influencing penile length, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using linear regression models. Comparisons of data between Groups 1 (NMC) and 2 (non-NMC) were made using the two-tailed Student’s t-test. Analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, U.S.), and differences were considered statistically significant when p values were less than 0.05.
Results of study
A total of 248 patients were included in our study. Patients’ characteristics are summarized in Table 1.
Table 2 indicates the relationships between erectile penile length and other study variables. In univariate analysis using a linear regression model, height (r=0.211; p=0.034), second to fourth digit ratio (r=−0.205; p=0.007), flaccid penile length (r=0.188; p<0.001), and age of circumcision (r=−0.235; p=0.001) were associated with erectile penile length (Table 2). Among these variables, second to fourth digit ratio, flaccid penile length (r=0.176; p <0.001), and age of circumcision (r=0.216; p=0.001) were significant predictive factors for erectile penile length in multivariate analysis using a linear regression model (Table 2). These factors correlate between circumcision and penis length
The subjects were divided into two groups: the NMC group and the non-NMC group. The NMC group included 72 patients (29.0%) who were circumcised during the newborn period; the non-NMC group included 176 patients (71.0%) who were circumcised after the newborn period. There was no significant difference in height, weight, and second to fourth digit ratio between both groups (Table 3). However, flaccid (p<0.001) and erectile (p=0.001) penile lengths of the NMC group were shorter than those of the non-NMC group (Table 3).
The major finding of our study is that second to fourth digit ratio and the age of circumcision were significant predictive factors for erectile penile length. Furthermore, the penile lengths of the NMC group were shorter than those of the non-NMC group. To our knowledge, this is the first study that focuses on association between penile length and NMC. Although, NMC offers numerous health benefits and protections against certain medical conditions,3,4 our results provide evidence suggesting that NMC may have a significant effect on penile length. The factors of circumcision and penis length seem to correlate.
Hormonal factors
Androgen with androgen receptors are known to be necessary for the development of the penis.5,6 The difference of penile lengths between individuals seems to be highly influenced by prenatal testosterone.7–9 Like digit development, penile growth is influenced by prenatal testosterone. Choi et al reported that the second to fourth digit ratio was a significant predictive factor for stretched penile length (r=−0.201; p=0.024) in multivariate analysis using a linear regression model.10 Stretched penile length was found to be negatively associated with digit ratio.10 The effects of prenatal testosterone may, in part, explain the differences in adult penile length. The results of our study are similar to the existing findings. Androgens and a functioning androgen receptor are known to be necessary for normal development of the human penis.11 The ratio of second to fourth digit length is sexually dimorphic in humans and is thought to be fixed early in development.11 During the fetal period, high concentrations of testosterone lead to high testicular activity, resulting in a lower digit ratio. In our study, men with a lower second to fourth digit ratio tended to have a longer penile length.
Circumcision Complications
A large observational cohort study demonstrated that complications of NMC occurred in eight out of 476 boys.12 Excessive bleeding occurred in three patients in this study and was the most common complication.12 Although the numbers were small, from a mechanistic point of view, bleeding can lead to damage of the normal structures, which in turn, can affect penile length. NMC can also remove the loose flap of skin that covers and protects the rounded top part of the penis that contains nerves, blood vessels, and a tiny part of muscle, which can lead to shorter penile length.
Several studies showed that normal flaccid penile length ranges between 7.6 and 13.0 cm, and erectile penile length ranges between 12.7 and 17.7 cm.13,14 The results of our study were similar to the existing findings. The flaccid penile length was 7.39 cm and erectile penile length was 13.53 cm. The penile length was a concern for 68.3% of 200 men in one study.15 Men and women agreed that the ideal penis length was longer than what they thought was average.16 Concerns about penile length affect men’s sexual satisfaction and functioning. A smaller penis decreases sexual confidence, which may be why penis size is related to sexual function.17 Thus, penile length has a significant role in men’s sexual satisfaction and our results suggest that NMC could be reconsidered in terms of penile length.
The small size of subjects and the absence of biochemical markers, such as testosterone levels, can be limitations of this analysis. Further multicentre studies including larger number of subjects and blood sampling to evaluate sex hormones are needed in the near future.
Conclusions on circumcision and penis length
In conclusion, second to fourth digit ratio, flaccid penile length, and age of circumcision were significant predictive factors for erectile penile length. Furthermore, the penile lengths of the NMC [Newborn Male Circumcision] group were shorter than those of the non-NMC group. Because there are no set guidelines for the optimal age at which to perform circumcision, physicians will be continually faced with the issue of when to perform the procedure. This information will be helpful for providing more professional counselling to parents with a newborn boy.
Competing interests:
The authors report no competing personal or financial interests.
This paper has been peer-reviewed.
Original Study as Published in the Canadian Urological Association Journal
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