Do you feel like your penis is too small? And do you worry about it excessively often? Then you could be suffering from penile dysmorphic disorder, also known as small penis complex. This is a psychological disorder where people are overly concerned or fixated on the size of their penis, even though it is normal or even larger than average. This disorder can have a significant impact on a person’s self-esteem, body image and overall well-being. In this post, we will explore the causes, effects and possible treatments for penile dysmorphic disorder.
What is penile dysmorphic disorder?
Penile dysmorphic disorder (PDD), also known as small penis syndrome, is a psychological disorder in which men have an exaggerated concern or dissatisfaction with the size or shape of their penis. The disorder is one of the body dysmorphic disorders, which in turn are somatoform disorders. This disorder can lead to considerable suffering and impairments in everyday life. Those affected can, for example, isolate themselves socially, have difficulties in sexual relationships or suffer from depression.

How does penile dysmorphic disorder develop?
The exact cause of penile dysmorphic disorder is not known. However, it is assumed that various factors can contribute to it.
One possible factor is a genetic predisposition. There is evidence that certain genes may be linked to the development of body image disorders and dysmorphophobia, which includes penile dysmorphic disorder.
Environmental factors may also play a role. For example, negative experiences in childhood or adolescence, such as bullying or sexual abuse, can influence self-esteem and body image. Social norms and media images of idealized bodies, such as those portrayed in porn, can also contribute to men developing a distorted image of their own bodies.
Not all men who feel dissatisfied with the size or shape of their penis necessarily suffer from penile dysmorphic disorder. Experiencing occasional insecurities or concerns about one’s body is completely normal. However, these concerns are considered a disorder only when they become excessive and disrupt daily life.
How common is penile dysmorphic disorder?
There is no exact data on the prevalence of penile dysmorphic disorder as it is often underdiagnosed or unreported. However, it is thought to be relatively rare. Studies suggest that around 1-2% of men may be affected by this disorder. It is important to note that these are estimates and the actual prevalence may vary. In addition, it is possible that many men who suffer from this disorder do not seek professional help due to shame or fear of stigmatization.
How can penile dysmorphic disorder be treated?
The treatment of penile dysmorphic disorder usually involves a combination of psychotherapy and, if necessary, medication.
Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is a commonly used method for treating penile dysmorphic disorder. In therapy, negative thoughts and beliefs about one’s own body and the penis are identified and challenged. Strategies are developed to improve body image and cope with anxiety and worry. Therapy may also include techniques to manage stress and improve self-esteem.
In some cases, medication may also be considered. Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help to alleviate the symptoms of penile dysmorphic disorder, especially if there are accompanying depression or anxiety disorders. It is important that treatment is tailored to the individual patient and is carried out in close collaboration with a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.
Is your penis really too small?
Even if penile dysmorphic disorder is often caused by a distorted image of reality that triggers suffering and the penis is subjectively perceived as too small, ugly or otherwise inferior, it is still worth carrying out an objective fact check. Because sometimes it can also be the case that this complex has only arisen because you have never measured your own penis properly and don’t even know how big an average penis is. Perhaps you have become so insecure because of offending comments made by an ex-partner about your penis size or because of direct comparisons with porn actors that the too-small penis has become your own reality without ever having questioned and objectively checked it. To check whether your penis is actually too small, I recommend this article. There we have explained everything you need to know about average penis size in detail.
If you find that your penis is actually unusually small when measuring your penis, it could be a micropenis. This is a rare disease of the penis. You can find out more about micropenis and the various treatment methods in this article.
Can manual penis enlargement help in the treatment of penile dysmorphic disorder?
Manual penis enlargement can help you to permanently enlarge your penis. However, it will most likely not be able to rid you of penile dysmorphic disorder. This is because with penile dysmorphic disorder, you are convinced that your penis is too small, even if it is not. Even if you were to enlarge your penis further, this would probably not change your distorted reality. You would still think your penis is too small. Even if it were to get bigger.
A penile dysmorphic disorder should therefore always be treated by a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. If you still want to enlarge your penis after successful treatment, we can help you. But please only do this once you have solved your problem on a psychological level. If this is the case, or if you are not affected by penile dysmorphic disorder but still want to enlarge your penis, the SIZE FOR YOU© penis enlargement course is just right for you. Here you will learn everything you need to know about successful manual penis enlargement. If you would like to find out more about the course and its first-class content, simply click here. If you want to find out more about SIZE FOR YOU© and our philosophy, then take a look here.