Patients with grower or shower penis may be candidates for penile prosthesis.
Grower or shower? These terms are becoming popular on social media and describe how the penis behaves in the flaccid state and how it transforms during erection.
In urology, understanding this anatomical and functional pattern can assist in surgical decision-making, especially in the placement of penile prostheses. This classification can help choose the type of implant, estimate dimensional changes expected after the implant when applicable.
Both growers and showers may achieve satisfactory functional outcomes, with aesthetic perception varying among patients, after individualized evaluation. What matters is not the category itself, but the assessment performed by the urologist.
Grower or shower: understand the difference
Grower and shower are penis categories, classified by the greater or lesser variation between the flaccid and erect states.
The grower penis is the one that shows considerable differences in size between flaccid and erect states. In other words, it is smaller when flaccid and increases significantly when erect.
The shower penis, on the other hand, remains relatively stable in both states. When flaccid, it has a considerable size and does not grow much when erect.
A study conducted by professionals at a clinic in Madrid and presented at the European Association of Urology Congress in 2023 concluded that, to be considered a grower, the penis must increase at least 56% in length when erect. Shower-type penises, however, vary at most 31% when aroused.
In practice, this classification does not interfere in daily life. However, it can be useful for doctors, since categorization helps in surgical decisions.
How the penile prosthesis adapts to each type of penis
The popularization of these terms has caused confusion among men who need an implant. They want to know if having a grower or shower penis affects penile prosthesis.
For penile prosthesis surgery specifically, the penis size in the flaccid state does not matter, since the implant is always sized for the erect penis.
To define the ideal prosthesis size, penile reconstruction is required, which through microincisions expands the tunica albuginea. In this way, dimensional adjustments may occur during reconstruction, based on anatomical criteria defined by the surgeon.
The tunica albuginea can be expanded up to the safe limits of the nerves overlapping the penis. This is the maximum possible size for the implant without harming structures, regardless of penis type. The prosthesis cannot exceed the safe extension of the neurovascular bundle to the glans to avoid complications and ensure symmetry and functionality.
Differences in penile prosthesis results between grower and shower
With the placement of a penile prosthesis, all patients will show characteristics of a shower-type penis — even with an inflatable prosthesis.
Men with grower-type penis will notice an important difference: after penile prosthesis placement, the penis will no longer be small when flaccid. The penile prosthesis for grower-type penis keeps the organ elongated, especially when the patient chooses the malleable model.
In shower-type patients, where the natural anatomy is already close to the neurovascular bundle limit, the difference in size tends to be subtle.
The individual perception may be more significant in men with penile fibrosis. They often notice more changes since the implant addresses curvatures, narrowing, or size loss caused by the condition.
Importance of personalized evaluation
The indication for penile prosthesis should always be made by a urologist. This is a complex decision that requires a detailed analysis of each case.
Before choosing the implant, the doctor will attempt less invasive alternatives for erectile dysfunction or Peyronie’s disease, such as oral or injectable medications. If there is no satisfactory response, surgical intervention may be considered.
As there are multiple factors influencing the choice of prosthesis, specific exams are necessary. These tests evaluate erection rigidity, penile vascularization, and the presence of fibrosis or curvatures.
After completing all these steps, the doctor can define, together with the patient, the most suitable implant for the case.
This process is important to provide the best chances of a functional and aesthetically acceptable penis at the end of treatment, whether originally a grower or a shower.
Book your consultation with Dr. Paulo Egydio, penile prosthesis specialist
Booking a consultation with Dr. Paulo Egydio is an important step for men seeking support and solutions for their sexual health.
The doctor has over 25 years of experience in penile reconstruction and prosthesis and also understands the emotional impact erectile dysfunction or Peyronie’s disease can cause. Each evaluation is personalized so that the patient has access to the most appropriate treatment.
Get in touch and receive the first guidelines to take care of your sexual health.
