If you have a penis, it’s normal to wish it were bigger. But we have some good news for you: Research has shown that many people who worry about the size of their junk are actually totally normal or average in size. Unfortunately, there’s a common misconception that’s reinforced by mainstream porn that a bigger penis means more pleasure for your partner—but this couldn’t be more wrong. A study from 2017 concluded that a combination of deep kissing, genital stimulation, and oral sex are more likely to get a person with a vulva off—and none of those things require you to be well-endowed. There’s also an outdated notion that a bigger penis is linked to how manly you are, which makes no sense, especially considering that not all men even have a penis to begin with.
The takeaway? If you have a penis, it’s probably fine just the way it is. That said, if you are curious about increasing the size of your member, there are a few options. They’re painful, expensive, and some of them are not even guaranteed to work; still, here are 10 of the currently available methods for making your penis bigger, ranked from bad to slightly less terrible. (Note: with the exception of non-invasive techniques such as shaving your pubes and losing weight, we do not endorse any penis-lengthening technique without first consulting a physician.)
Getting a penile implant (such as Penuma) – penis implementation
Los Angeles-based surgeon Dr. James Elist claims to be the only surgeon in the world performing a specific type of operation that can increase penile length and girth using a silicone implant known as Penuma. Elist claims to add an average increase of 1.5 inches in length and 2.5 inches in girth, and he’s already inserted 1,300 of these implants. The problem: at $13,000, the surgery is costly, and patients are at risk of infections or implant breakage.
Jessie Cheung, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, adds, “Getting a penile implant is like having a permanent erection, which can hinder movement.” Just imaging going for a jog erect…
Getting plastic surgery on your penis
Some surgeons can lengthen the size of a man’s penis by cutting a ligament, which can help it hang out a little further. Of course, this comes with serious risks, like scar tissue, painful erections, infection or loss of sensation or function. Plus, it costs upwards of $9,000 and studies have shown the procedure adds roughly half an inch, which usually falls short of patients’ expectations.
Cheung notes it may be difficult to maintain an erection and actually achieve penetration in certain positions after penile plastic surgery.
Getting fat injections
With this procedure, surgeons can liposuction a patient’s own fat and transfer it into the shaft of the penis using a syringe. Guys could possibly end up with a slight increase of less than an inch in length, just over an inch in width, and a heavier member. The results are not permanent and your penis could shrink back to its original size over time. Additionally, as with any surgical procedure, there are still risks involved. Case in point: a 30-year-old patient died following a penis enlargement surgery after fat traveled into his lungs, causing his breathing to stop.
Getting platelet-rich plasma injections
A relatively new method, this procedure involves separating out your platelet-rich plasma and injecting it into your penis, supposedly stimulating blood flow to make your member appear larger.
“The classic P-Shot protocol includes mechanical pumping for several weeks, which stretches the suspensory ligament to increase length and improve circulation,” Cheung explains. “Enhanced P-Shots with stem cells and exosomes are also very popular in my practice, as there are more rapid and durable improvements in functionality and size.”
But for now, there’s simply not enough research to make this a good long-term option.
Jelqing (a.k.a. penis stretches)
It’s unclear when jelqing was first developed, but it may date back to ancient Arab civilization. What we do know is that guys have attempted the stretching technique as a way to increase the length and girth of their penises.
Here’s how we previously explained the process:
“Most guides suggest waiting until you’re almost erect. Once there, it’s time to lube up and grab the base of the penis, using just the thumb and index finger. Apply pressure, and slide your hand down the shaft, as if “milking the organ.”
Release, and repeat.
Does jelqing actually make your penis bigger? Most medical experts say no—and note that it could even do harm, like causing a curvature of the penis. Our contributor Grant Stoddard tried jelqing for two weeks, and found no change in his measurements.
Using a penis extender
There are a few devices men can wear daily underneath their clothes to gradually stretch the penis and add length and/or girth. Two of the earliest devices, the Andro-Penis and the Golden Erect, are still used today.
Some experts think these devices may be effective, and a very small study from 2015 showed the Andro-Penis added roughly half an inch in length. In another story, Stoddard tried RestoreX, a penis extender designed for men with Peyronie’s disease (which he does not have). After using it for just under a month, he found his penis to be approximately half-an-inch longer.
Still, Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD, a urologist in Florida, doesn’t think the discomfort and possibility of scarring is worth the risk.
“The research on the benefits of penile extenders is scant,” he tells MensHealth.com. “Plus, you have to wear them for hours a day on a sensitive part of your body.”
Getting dermal fillers (such as the Shafer Width and Girth procedure)
Having dermal fillers injected into your penis is another method of penis enlargement, and can increase your girth by an inch if done repeatedly over time. The procedure is popular in Cheung’s practice because patients “receive instant girth and length with minimal downtime.”
But the effects are only temporary. “The longevity of your fillers will depend on how active your penis is, as more movement will increase the metabolism of the fillers,” Cheung says. “While you’ll still have some left in you after a year, by then, you’ll likely want a top off.” There are also potential side effects, including swelling, bruising, and lumps under the skin.
To read about what it’s actually like to get fillers injected into your penis, check out our Q&A with a guy who underwent the Shafer Width and Girth (SWAG) procedure. Another potential side effect he mentions? The fact that having sex too soon after the procedure could result in your penis changing shape.
Wearing a penis sleeve
Think of a penis sleeve like a costume for your junk; it won’t change the size of your actual, physical penis, but when you put it on, you’ll have a bigger overall package to work with.
Also known as a cock extender, a penis sleeve is a device that slides onto your junk like a condom, except it’s bulkier and typically made from silicone. They were originally developed for medical purposes—including helping men with erectile dysfunction engage in penetrative sex—but these days, plenty of people use them as sex toys, too. “They increase girth and length and can have nubs or ribs on the external or internal wall to provide stimulation for either partner,” Cheung
Shaving your pubes
If you’re not up for stretching or injecting your way to a bigger penis (we get it), you can at least make your penis look bigger—and an easy method is shaving your pubic hair. Think about it: If your member is shrouded in a tuft of pubes, it’ll look smaller than if it’s visible in its full glory. Here’s everything you need to know about pubic hair, including tips for shaving it.
Losing weight
Think of it like an optical illusion. Weight loss won’t actually change the size of your penis, but your junk could potentially appear larger if it’s less hidden beneath your belly or thighs.
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