New research suggests that men who undergo surgery to remove their prostate as a result of
prostate cancer report a decrease in penis size. The knowledge that prostatectomy can decrease penis size is very new and the vast majority of men have likely never received any such warning before
surgery. Researchers at the University of Miami in Florida measured flaccid and stretched penile length, as well as circumference, in 124 men before prostatectomy and three months later. All of these measures of penis size decreased after surgery. Before surgery, the average flaccid penile length of the men included in the study was nine centimetres (3.5 inches) or longer, with an average stretched penile length of at least 13 centimetres (just over 5 inches). After the procedure, however, the median flaccid penile length fell to 8 centimetres, while the same value for stretched length dropped to 12.5 centimetres.A total of 68 percent of participants showed a decrease in stretched penile length, with 19 percent experiencing a decrease in length of at least 15 percent. Many study participants also reported a marked decrease in sexual functioning after prostatectomy, a known risk of the procedure. While 92 percent of patients prior to surgery reported being able to achieve an erection, only 33 percent retained that ability three months later.
The findings support observations of decreased penile length after prostatectomy and men should be counselled before the surgery that penile shortening may occur. They should be informed that it is a risk, so that they will be prepared for it.
Journal of Urology , April 2003; Vol. 169(4)
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