Men encouraged to take part in unique study

On Channel 4 tonight, Dr David Veale from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s encouraged men across the UK to take part in some unique research being carried out by King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. 

King’s College London and King’s College Hospital are together recruiting men over the age of 18 to explore their attitudes and behaviours towards their penis size, shape and appearance.  

Dr David Veale, Honorary Senior Lecturer at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry and Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma, says: ‘Men are often worried by the size of their penis. They may regard the size of their penis as a sign of their virility and ability to please their partner. As a consequence they may feel very ashamed and avoid developing relationships.

‘This is the first time that a study of this nature has been carried out in the UK. We hope that it will provide a better psychological understanding of men who are worried about their size, so that a suitable psychological treatment can be developed.'

Gordon Muir, Consultant Urologist at King's College Hospital who is leading the second stage of the research, says: ‘Some men seek solutions such as pills, potions, talking therapy, traction devices or surgery to try to increase the size of their penis. There is very little evidence for the benefit of any of these treatments and surgery may be harmful.’

Recruitment is taking place over the coming months and the first stage of the study is an online questionnaire. Once completed, participants then have the option of moving forward to the secondary part of the research. This involves men attending a clinic at King's College Hospital and having their penis measured - both erect and non-erect. 

For those who are not satisfied with their penis, the study hopes to find the best way of helping men so they are satisfied. 

If you are over the age of 18 - whether you have or don’t have concerns about your penis size - and would like to take part in the study please either email andrea.troglia@kcl.ac.uk or call 0203 228 3577. 

For more information about the research and incentives, please see www.malesize.co.uk 

This research study was featured on Embarrassing Bodies on Channel 4 on Tuesday 26 June.

For further media information, please contact Seil Collins, Press Officer, Institute of Psychiatry at King's, email: seil.collins@kcl.ac.uk or tel: 0207 848 5377