Physicians express concern about the growing popularity of penis enlargement procedures, which, despite the enthusiastic claims of some practitioners, the relevant professional societies regard as “experimental” due to the lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data. An opinion piece published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine recommends careful psychological screening of patients prior to receiving these risky and often unneeded procedures. “Patients with Small Penis Anxiety may benefit from psychoeducation, reassurance that their measurements fall within normal ranges, and brief counseling to ameliorate their distress. In contrast, individuals with Penile Dysmorphic Disorder suffering from chronic distress are more likely to require structured psychotherapy (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), prescription of anti-depressant medication, and further psychiatric referral. Surgical management is not appropriate for those with PDD, as it does not address the underlying psychopathology and may worsen symptoms.” This debate has parallels to concerns about minors being rushed into medical treatment for gender dysphoria without adequate screening for underlying psychological conditions that may be mistaken for gender incongruence.





