Many men fret, unnecessarily, about their male organ size. For most men, the concern is that their organs are smaller than they “should” be, but this worry doesn’t interfere with their ability to lead healthy, well-adjusted lives and remain sensually active. But some men fear not only that their members are small, but that they are actually shrinking. While there are medical conditions that can cause the male organ to retract, some men with perfect male organ health think their organs are being pulled back into their bodies. This psychological condition has several names, including koro, shrinking male organ and retraction syndrome.

Who Gets It?

Retraction syndrome can affect both men and women – women who suffer think their female organs and nipples are being drawn back into their bodies. People with this syndrome have intense anxiety about the suspected retraction, and some believe that they are going to die from it.

Causes

There is no one sure cause of koro, but several factors may influence its development. It is believed to have strong links to culture; though anyone can suffer from it, it is more prevalent in Asia. Cultural myths, themes and beliefs about sensual activity can influence one’s perception of his nether region. There have even been episodes of mass hysteria involving koro in which a group of people simultaneously think their male organs are shrinking.

A person may be more likely to suffer from shrinking male organ syndrome if he has other psychological or physical issues with intimate acts, including:

• A belief that self-pleasuring is shameful
• Feelings of sensual inadequacy
• Inability to perform

Koro is only present when the unreasonable belief and anxiety last for a prolonged period of time or recur. If it’s cold out and a man notices his equipment has shrunk, it’s not necessarily a sign of a psychological disorder if he feels a twinge of fear. But if he thinks his rod will never return to normal, or, once it does, he suspects that it’s still retracted, then he has a problem.

Causes of Actual Shrinkage

A man also does not suffer from koro if a physical condition is actually causing the male organ to retract or shrink. Such conditions include:

• Stress: Muscle tension caused by stress can affect the pelvic floor muscles, which attach to the base of the male organ. If these are tense, they can exert a pull on the member and cause retraction.
• Peyronie’s Disease: This condition is caused by scar tissue that has built up around the chambers within the male organ, and it can be accompanied by shrinkage, pain and the inability to perform.
• Clogged Arteries: This isn’t just something that hurts the heart. A sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet promote the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which disrupts blood flow throughout the body, including the male organ. Without adequate circulation, the member can’t extend to its true size.
• Smoking: Like plaque, smoking affects the ability of blood to flow freely throughout the body. Male smokers have been found in research to have shorter members than non-smokers.

Treatment

Treating retraction syndrome generally involves a combination of psychotherapy and education. Information, along with physical reinforcements such as measurements, can challenge patients’ beliefs about male organ shrinkage. In therapy, patients may work with a therapist to explore potential origins of their beliefs, identify correlating conditions and reduce anxiety levels.

While obsessive fears about retraction constitute a psychological disorder, there’s nothing wrong with taking steps to support optimal male organ health as men age. Adding a male organ health cream (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) to the care regimen can help member tissues stay strong and healthy. Look for ingredients like Shea butter for smooth skin and vitamin C for circulatory support. Such a cream won’t make the male organ bigger, but it can support the nerves, blood vessels and skin cells in the member.