What Is Hidden Penis?

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Hidden penis refers to a penis that is normal in size but appears very small because part of it is concealed. This condition may also be called concealed penis or buried penis.

Hidden penis is an abnormality that's present at birth (congenital). Causes may include:

- Congenital fat pad. Some males are born with excessive fat in the lower abdomen just above the penis, which hides the penis.

- Poor skin fixation to the shaft of the penis. Sometimes the penile skin isn't adequately attached to the base or shaft of the penis. When this occurs, the penis isn't fixed in its normal position outside of the body.

- Tight foreskin covering the head of the penis (phimosis). The penis becomes trapped in the foreskin, becoming partially hidden.

A doctor can often make a diagnosis of hidden penis on physical examination. In cases where abdominal fat is the cause, hidden penis may improve in the first few years of life as the lower abdomen loses fat and the penis increases in size. In other cases, treatment may include surgical repair.

Obesity may also cause concealment of the penis. The lower abdomen may become so large that it hangs low and covers the penis. The penis may also appear to shrink with age due to decreased muscle tone in the lower abdominal muscles and increased fat in the lower abdomen. Such cases of "hidden" penis can be reversed with weight loss and strengthening of the abdominal muscles.