Grower or Shower: Is It Even a Thing? Penile Growth Patterns and Erectile Dysfunction Aetiology in Growers and Showers

ABSTRACT Introduction Penile elongation patterns lack objective scientific validation, and their association with vascular mechanisms of erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. The objective is to define objective grower and shower profiles using data‐driven methods, and evaluate their association with ED aetiology. Materials and Methods Retrospective, observational study, including men who underwent penile Doppler ultrasound. Patients with Peyronie's disease or Erection Hardness Score (EHS) <3 were excluded. Penile morphometric and hemodynamic parameters were recorded. Penile growth was measured from flaccid to erect. Associations between growth patterns, tunica albuginea compression, and ED aetiology were assessed using comparative statistics and logistic regression. Results A total of 420 men were included. k ‐Means clustering identified three growth profiles: growers (>71.7% growth, n = 31), showers (<39.4%, n = 140), and intermediate ( n = 133). Growers exhibited significantly greater reduction in tunica albuginea thickness during erection compared with showers (27.0% vs. 14.1%; p < 0.001). Reduced tunica compression was significantly associated with venous leak on logistic regression ( p = 0.011). Growth profiles were not significantly associated with ED aetiology (χ 2 , p = 0.084). Discussion These findings suggest that penile growth patterns reflect distinct morphometric and hemodynamic characteristics, particularly in relation to tunica albuginea compression during erection. While cluster‐defined grower and shower profiles were not independently associated with specific erectile dysfunction aetiologies, the observed trends support a potential link with vascular mechanisms. This objective, data‐driven classification may therefore contribute to a refined morphometric framework for understanding erectile dysfunction. Conclusion An objective classification of grower and shower profiles was shown. Growth patterns are significantly associated with tunica albuginea compression, and reduced compression is independently associated with venous leak. The association between growth categories and ED aetiology did not reach statistical significance; the study was underpowered for this outcome. These hypothesis‐generating findings warrant validation in larger, prospective multicenter studies.

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Journal
Andrology
Published
2026-06-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.70284
Primary Topic
Sexual function and dysfunction studies
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article
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article

Grower or Shower: Is It Even a Thing? Penile Growth Patterns and Erectile Dysfunction Aetiology in Growers and Showers

Esther García‐Rojo, Guillermo Celada-Luis, Javier Otero, Borja García‐Gómez et al.
Andrology
Sexual function and dysfunction studies
article

Grower or Shower: Is It Even a Thing? Penile Growth Patterns and Erectile Dysfunction Aetiology in Growers and Showers

Esther García‐Rojo, Guillermo Celada-Luis, Javier Otero, Borja García‐Gómez, Manuel Alonso-Isa, Miguel Jarillo‐Ochoa
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Penile elongation patterns lack objective scientific validation, and their association with vascular mechanisms of erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. The objective is to define objective grower and shower profiles using data‐driven methods, and evaluate their association with ED aetiology. Materials and Methods Retrospective, observational study, including men who underwent penile Doppler ultrasound. Patients with Peyronie's disease or Erection Hardness Score (EHS) <3 were excluded. Penile morphometric and hemodynamic parameters were recorded. Penile growth was measured from flaccid to erect. Associations between growth patterns, tunica albuginea compression, and ED aetiology were assessed using comparative statistics and logistic regression. Results A total of 420 men were included. k ‐Means clustering identified three growth profiles: growers (>71.7% growth, n = 31), showers (<39.4%, n = 140), and intermediate ( n = 133). Growers exhibited significantly greater reduction in tunica albuginea thickness during erection compared with showers (27.0% vs. 14.1%; p < 0.001). Reduced tunica compression was significantly associated with venous leak on logistic regression ( p = 0.011). Growth profiles were not significantly associated with ED aetiology (χ 2 , p = 0.084). Discussion These findings suggest that penile growth patterns reflect distinct morphometric and hemodynamic characteristics, particularly in relation to tunica albuginea compression during erection. While cluster‐defined grower and shower profiles were not independently associated with specific erectile dysfunction aetiologies, the observed trends support a potential link with vascular mechanisms. This objective, data‐driven classification may therefore contribute to a refined morphometric framework for understanding erectile dysfunction. Conclusion An objective classification of grower and shower profiles was shown. Growth patterns are significantly associated with tunica albuginea compression, and reduced compression is independently associated with venous leak. The association between growth categories and ED aetiology did not reach statistical significance; the study was underpowered for this outcome. These hypothesis‐generating findings warrant validation in larger, prospective multicenter studies.

Andrology
Universidad San Pablo CEU (ES), Hospital Universitario HM Madrid (ES), University Hospital HM Puerta del Sur (ES), Hospital Universitario HM Sanchinarro (ES), Roche (Spain) (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Sexual function and dysfunction studies
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