Male Enhancement: Can You Make Your Penis Bigger?

Is bigger always better? When it comes to penis size, many guys seem to think so. They often connect the length and girth of their genitalia to feelings of masculinity, power and sexual prowess.

So, if you don’t feel like you measure up, is there anything you can do to enlarge your penis? We asked urologist Raevti Bole, MD, about the potential for growth opportunities.

Can penis size be increased?

In limited cases, yes — but for the most part, you’ve got what you’ve got. Penis-enlargement products and devices typically offer empty promises, emphasizes Dr. Bole. There’s no magic way to “add inches.”

More seriously, some enhancement methods can actually damage your penis and affect its ability to do what you want it to do.

“Be cautious about seeking out penile enhancement because results are often modest and the risks can be significant,” cautions Dr. Bole. “There really aren’t any safe and effective ‘cosmetic’ treatments.”

Let’s take a closer look at the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of available products and therapies.

What doesn’t work

If you search online, you’ll find no shortage of goods in bottles and tubes, vowing to supersize your erection. They’re often filled with an assortment of vitamins and minerals. Some include hormones.

But don’t expect to see penis-enlarging results from:

• Pills
• Tablets
• Gummies
• Creams
• Lotions

“These products come with a lot of claims, but there’s no evidence they work,” says Dr. Bole. “And worst of all, you could actually harm yourself trying to chase results that aren’t likely to come.”

What could bring modest gains

A few devices on the market may offer a bit of a boost for your erection, but won’t significantly change the actual length of your penis, says Dr. Bole. Two of the most common items are:

Penis extenders (traction devices)

Ever try to pull on something to stretch it out? In essence, that’s the goal of a penis extender.

These traction devices apply a gentle, continuous force to your penis for long periods of time. (The extender must be worn for hours a day.) The idea is that this sustained tension will gradually lengthen your penis through tissue remodeling.

Does it work? A little bit. Research shows that a penis extender may produce small increases in length — maybe a half-inch or so — over months of regular stretching. It’s also more likely to affect your flaccid (or non-erect) length.

As you might expect, the worn device can be uncomfortable and cause skin irritation. It can also cause injury if used incorrectly.

“For a lot of people, the results aren’t enough for the effort,” notes Dr. Bole.

Vacuum pumps

The suction from a vacuum pump draws blood into your penis, which can help create an erection and make it look fuller. But it’s just for the moment. A vacuum pump does not produce lasting increases in size.

And if you already have an erection, a vacuum pump won’t make it significantly bigger.

“I would caution folks not to be over-aggressive with a vacuum pump,” says Dr. Bole. “You run the risk of penile swelling, discomfort and even injury.”

Is surgery an option?

Some clinics offer penis enlargement surgery, but these procedures don’t usually make the penis bigger. In many cases, the surgery is really meant to make the penis look bigger rather than increase its true size.

For example, doctors may remove fat or tissue around the base of the penis so more of it is visible, or they may cut ligaments that normally help support it.

Other procedures involve injections or placing permanent implants to bulk up penile size, but they come with risks and can cause damage. They’re also not meant to turn an average-length penis into something more substantial.

“We do not yet have a safe and effective treatment for penile size enhancement that can be recommended without considering some real risks,” clarifies Dr. Bole.

Risk of chasing a size increase

Trying to elongate your penis comes with health risks, including:

• Scarring: Some enlargement methods can damage tissue.
• Deformity: Injections, surgery or unsafe devices can cause an uneven shape.
• Loss of sensation: Nerve irritation or injury may reduce penile sensitivity.
• Erectile dysfunction: Damage to blood vessels, nerves or tissue can interfere with normal erections.
• Pain: Stretching devices, injections, creams or surgery can bring discomfort.
• Skin irritation: Topical products and mechanical devices can lead to rash, burning, or chafing.
• Bruising and swelling: Overuse of pumps, extenders and other devices can cause injuries.

Beyond that, there’s an emotional toll that comes from putting time, effort and money into treatments that turn out to be ineffective. Over time, this sort of quest can lead to psychological distress.

What’s an average penis size?

Let’s be honest here, guys: It’s easy to become insecure about your penis size. There’s a lot of cultural pressure centered on the appendage, after all. Fear of judgment about your length is a thing, too.

Plus, maybe you’ve seen things on certain adult-only websites that create oversized expectations. (This could help explain why 45% of men say they want a larger penis.)

So, let’s look at the numbers to see what’s real. A review of research shows that the average size of an erect penis is about 5.4 inches (13.8 centimeters). The average flaccid penis comes in at 3.6 inches (9.2 cm).

“The reality is that most men fall within a similar range,” says Dr. Bole. “But for some men, even if they are actually normal in size, they don’t feel like it’s enough.”

If insecurity about penile size is serious enough to affect your mood, relationships or other parts of your life, you may be dealing with penile dysmorphic disorder (PDD). It’s a form of body dysmorphic disorder, a mental health condition where you fixate on perceived physical flaws.

Talk to a healthcare provider about your concerns before trying male enhancement products. They can check whether you have a health issue (like erectile dysfunction) that prevents you from reaching full length.

“Getting qualified medical advice is going to benefit you more than hoping a risky fix works,” advises Dr. Bole.

And one more thing: While many men worry about their penis length, the concern doesn’t seem to be shared by their female partners. Researchers found that 85% of women were satisfied with the size of their partner’s penis.

Bottom line? Size isn’t everything.