Health3 min(s) read
Published 13:31 28 Apr 2026 GMT
A man who has a rare health condition has revealed what it's like living with it from day to day.
The 43-year-old individual, who has remained anonymous, has been candid about the negative impacts that having a micropenis can have.
Micropenises themselves are rare, with less than one percent of men affected around the world, with Cleveland Clinic estimating this figure to be around 0.6 percent.
It is said that the average stretched penile length (SPL) for adult males is 5.25 inches, while healthcare providers will diagnose a micropenis if its length is "less than 2.5 standard deviations below the average".
Going by this, a manhood with an SPL of 2.67 inches or under in male adults will be classified as a micropenis.
While there are feelings of anxiety with having a small penis, those who have one still usually have normal sexual function.
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The man, known only as Sebastian to protect his anonymity, told Esquire: “My penis didn’t just affect my dating life, though. It affected my daily life.
“I tried to avoid using urinals. I stopped playing football because of the locker room situation after games. I always wear big hoodies or baggy shorts to hide my lack of a bulge."
He also said that on colder days, his penis can become inverted, making them the "absolute worst," revealing that he had to "warm it up" before peeing so he wouldn't "splash on myself."
Sebastian still aims to get married and settle down one day, but his fears over the size of his penis will likely stop him from realising this dream.
A delivery driver by day, he said that while he has a girlfriend, she admitted that his penis was "the smallest she'd ever seen," which is a line sure to shoot down the confidence of any man.
Sebastian also stumbled upon an eight-inch purple rabbit vibrator inside her wardrobe, which made his "heart sink".
He admitted: “It made me feel very self-conscious because it was obviously a lot bigger than me.”
The man also admitted that he didn't know he had a micropenis until he was about 12 years old and in PE class, a common occurrence with those who have the condition.
Sebastian isn't alone in opening up about the stigmatised condition, as a 26-year-old man anonymously appeared on the Other People's Lives podcast, sharing how it has affected his relationships.
He admitted that fear of judgment often caused him to end relationships prematurely, saying: “I cut it off because I was nervous and scared.” He continued by adding: “That’s how it was for a long time. Still is, to be honest.”
After years of avoiding deeper connections, he eventually opened up to a woman he said he had “proper feelings for.”
In an intimate moment, he revealed his condition to her. Although she tried to be understanding, he sensed that she was uncomfortable.
“She knew it was terrible, which she tried her hardest not to tell me,” he admitted.
“But she’s an honest person as well, and I could tell... I don’t blame a woman for thinking, ‘I don’t want this.’ I don’t blame that at all.”
He also spoke about the challenges of deciding when and how to be open about it, asking: “If you can, you should tell the woman, but when do you tell her?”
