Reference range of flaccid and stretched penile lengths of adult males in Baghdad: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: To establish a baseline reference range for flaccid (FPL) and stretched penile lengths (SPL) in adult males and to compare with reports from different nationalities, as concerns over penile size are common among men and currently the number of men seeking help for the perceived problem of a ‘short’ penis is increasing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Over a 1-year period, FPL and SPL measurements were taken from males undergoing medical examination in the outpatient clinic of the Al-Karama Teaching Hospital, using a rigid centimetre ruler. The correlation between penile length and age was investigated. RESULTS: In all, 223 apparently healthy males were included in this study with a mean (SD; range) age of 41.3 (15.0; 20–77) years. The mean (SD; range) FPL was 9.8 (2.0; 5–17) cm and the SPL was 12.6 (1.9; 7.5–19.5) cm. Statistical analysis showed that penile length is increased in older age (>55 years). A penile length nomogram was constructed, showing that the 50th percentiles of FPL and SPL were 9.0 and 12.5 cm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data establish a baseline reference range for adult male penile lengths in the Capital of Iraq (Baghdad), which should be useful for urologists when counselling patients.