Men with mental 'short penis syndrome'

Men, are you worried about your ahem, shortcomings? According to the researchers, you shouldn't be.

Men with "short penis syndrome" often have perfectly average-sized genitalia but believe strongly that they are inadequate.

"Penile size is a matter of great interest among men who are affected by 'short penis syndrome' or just believe themselves to have a small penis, even though the dimensions of the organ fall within the normal range," stated University of Turin urologists Marco Oderda and Paolo Gontero in British Journal of Urology International, where their work is published this month.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic are warning men who are obsessed with the size of their penises to think twice before investing time and money into pills, pumps and procedures that are as likely to disappoint as they are to cause harm.

So, what is normal? While there are variations, many sources say the average penis measures between 3 and 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) when flaccid and between 5 and 7 inches (12.7 to 17.8cm) when erect.

As more and more men are exposed to magazines and websites filled with ads for penile enlargers, male body issues are on the rise, experts say.

Pornography doesn't help either, they add, with many men feeling that they don't measure up to the extra-endowed stars on the screen.

"We equate masculinity and power with penis size," said Ira Sharlip, a clinical professor of urology at the University of California at San Francisco in an interview with WedMD.

"Of course, there's really no relationship."

Men who want a larger penis do attempt surgery but many are unhappy with the results, reports the Mayo Clinic. Surgeries may be effective in cases of birth defect or injury.

But any kind of cosmetic penis enlargement is considered risky and extremely controversial.

Those with short penis syndrome should consider putting down the FDA-unapproved creams, weights and vacuums and trying these non-surgical helpers.