An adult acquired buried penis is when the penis becomes hidden beneath the skin and fat of the lower belly, the scrotum, or scar tissue. It isn't a size problem: the penis is there but trapped.

Common causes

• Weight gain and a fat pad above the pubic bone

• Lichen sclerosus, a skin condition that causes scarring

• Prior circumcision or other genital surgery

• Lymphedema (swelling) of the scrotum

• Diabetes, which makes skin infections and scarring more likely

What you might notice

Difficulty aiming or having to sit to urinate, urine trapped in the skin, rashes and infections, trouble with hygiene, pain, and difficulty with sex. Many men also find it emotionally hard to talk about.

How I evaluate it

An exam, a look at the skin for lichen sclerosus, and a review of your health, especially blood sugar and weight, because both affect healing. A stricture can come with it, so I check your stream as well.

Treatment

Surgery releases the penis, removes the excess fat pad if needed, treats the scarred skin, and covers the shaft with healthy skin, sometimes using a skin graft. It's planned around your health, and getting blood sugar under control first improves healing.

Related

Buried penis repair · Genital reconstruction