The prevalence of buried penis is not known and is believed to be under-reported to healthcare providers.
Researchers expect cases of buried penis to increase as the rates of obesity rise.
Other possiblepenile conditions, such asmicropenis(small penis), will also be ruled out.
AzmanL / Getty Images
Treatment of Buried Penis
Children with buried penis often outgrow the condition without intervention.
Treatment such as surgery may be necessary if the buried penis is causing problems such as lastingdifficulties with urination.
Treatment for an acquired buried penis depends on the cause of the symptoms.
This treatment involves exposing the penis by pulling back the nearby tissue and applying the cream multiple times daily.
It may take weeks to months for this treatment to work.
The arrangement of the skin edges allows the scar tissue to open up and expose the penis.
Pulling back on the nearby tissue to expose the penis is repeated daily.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed to expose the head of the penis.
Talk to your healthcare provider about strategies for preventing the buried penis from recurring.
Coping
Living with a buried penis and undergoing treatment can present physical and mental challenges.
It can be congenital or acquired.
Buried penis can be caused bystructural abnormalities, such as webbed penis or dysgenic dartos.
Congenital buried penis typically improves on its own as the child ages.
Children’s Hospital Colorado.Hidden penis.
UPMC HealthBeat.Buried penis: causes, symptoms, treatment.
2021;10(6):2536-2543. doi:10.21037/tau-20-1232
University of Pittsburgh.Buried penis.
International Society for Sexual Medicine.What are some complications of buried penis?
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.Preparing for buried penis repair.
Urology of Greater Atlanta.What is a buried penis?
Sexual Medicine Society of North America.Buried penis.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.Buried penis.
Ho TS, Gelman J.Evaluation and management of adult acquired buried penis.Transl Androl Urol.
2019;39(9):979-988. doi:10.1093/asj/sjy325
