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Penis Growth: Does Enlargement Work? Can Penile Size Increase?

Does enlargement work? Can you increase the size and make it bigger?

By: Shahrokh Shariat, MD
Medically Reviewed by: Thomas M. Buckley, MD

Last updated Fact Checked: Feb 5, 2022

Male sexual enhancement; natural ways for growing with oil, pills, and extender with proven medical results below.

To get started, firstly we must think about what an actual small penis is. Small to me may be different for you, so it’s all relative. Flaccid penis size is somewhat irrelevant, some men are growers, and some men are showers.1

When in the soft state, some men have a penis that looks tiny, but as they get erect it may become huge. On the other hand, a shower may possess a  larger penis, but when it gets erect, it only shows an insignificant amount of growth. So loosely this equates to there being no correlation between flaccid and erect size.2

The Average Normal Size Penis

In all the studies conducted to establish the average penis size seems to vary. A famous study carried out by the Journal of Sexual Medicine concluded that the average erect penis was 5.5 inches in penile length in the US. This study was the largest controlled experiment that envisioned 1661 men.3

Other studies have shown similar results so it would be safe to say that the average penis is between five and 6 inches when erect. Anything below 5 inches is considered small by most females.4

Most men view themselves as small because of what they see in adult movies. The actors in porn are not a realistic depiction of real life.5 Porn stars are specially selected with above-average penis sizes and in most cases use techniques like vacuum pumping immediately before they begin recording to make the penis appear even larger.

Penis Size – What Do Women Think About It?

You’re probably more bothered about what women think of your penis size than what you think yourself. We’ve all heard the saying; it’s not about the size it’s about the motion in the Ocean!

This is complete bullshit!

Most women claim that size doesn’t matter too much as long as the guy treats them right and knows how to work it properly in the bedroom. They probably say this so that they don’t look like nymphomaniacs or do not hurt the feelings of guys.

The reason we say this is because women tend to be more honest in anonymous surveys than in person. But don’t think that you can’t have a healthy sex life or that you will be doomed never to be able to satisfy a woman ever again, this is still possible, but the fact of the matter is that size does matter… To women!6

Well at least to some women anyway, but don’t be alarmed just yet. A combination of studies dating back to 1942 to this present day shows that 85% of women are happy with the size of their partner’s penis, but only 55% of men are satisfied with the size of their penis.7

In a time when body image is more important than ever, it shows that the real problem is that size matters more to men than to women.

On a positive note, the vagina is only 4.5 inches inward, so a 5-inch penis is sufficient enough to penetrate fully.8 Being hung like a horse, therefore, has its disadvantages, intercourse will be painful for a woman considering the depth of her vagina even though it is very stretchy and accommodating.

Do Genetics Determine Penis Size?

Genes most definitely determine the size and shape of your body parts, and that includes your penis too. If your father was well endowed, then the chances are that his offspring have a large penis is greater. Likewise, the opposite is also true. This is not the be-all and end-all. However, there are exceptions, but genetics plays a dominant role.9

Can Food Or Supplements Help Grow A Bigger Penis?

Dietary supplements cannot influence or initiate penile growth by themselves. Penis pills and supplements that are offered on the Internet induce blood flow. The increased blood flow to the penis will make your erections harder and expand the chambers which hold blood within your penis over some time, not instantly!10

You would have to take the supplements regularly for many months for you to experience any significant size increases. Not all supplements are created equally though, and the effects will wear off as soon as you stop taking them.

The majority of penis enlargement supplements are a point-blank scam enticing insecure and vulnerable guys out of their hard-earned cash selling them false hope.11 But that’s not to say that all of them don’t work, you would need to do some in-depth research and also remain skeptical at the same time when searching for the right penis supplement to help you grow your penis.

The male enhancement supplement market already has a negative stigma attached to it, and many men remember the first time they saw an ad of this nature in their spam email boxes. Products such as Enzyte have fuelled this further by showing false clinical studies, testimonials, and endorsements.12 It is products like this that give the male enhancement industry a bad name. Needless to say, the owner is currently serving 25 years behind bars.

Also, penis supplements alone will not give you the significant 2 inches in penis length that you’re looking for. For you to achieve results like that you would have to use them in conjunction with a penis extender device13 and a water-based vacuum penis pump14 or manual exercises.15

Don’t think that a couple of weeks will be enough, though! You would have to religiously use supplements, extenders, and pumps for at least six months for any of the gains to become permanent.16

What About Penile Enhancement Surgery?

Of course, surgery is an option, but it comes with many risks, risks which are quite severe ranging from scarring at the minimum to more serious problems like having to live with a misshapen penis or permanent problems when getting an erection.17 Usually, it involves cutting the suspensory ligament to expose the buried penis for penile lengthening. For penile girth enhancement, a dermal filler may be used or an implant.18

That’s not to say that it doesn’t work, but it’s more of a last resort for guys with a micro-penis which is defined as being smaller than 2.75 inches when erect. It’s the last resort because there simply are no other options. There’s a good chance that you are not one of those guys because only 0.5% of the population has a micropenis.19 You’re probably just a bit below average. Therefore there are many options available to you with fewer risks involved.

Also, it’s a very expensive option, penis enlargement surgery ranges from $4000 up to $17,000. For more details about surgical penile enhancement, you should refer to the following resources on our website.

Even after penile enlargement surgery, the surgeon in most cases will recommend for you start using a penis extender after your surgical procedure for at least six months.20 Why not just start taking supplements and using an extender for six months in the first place?

Will A Penis Extender Or Vacuum Pump Help You Grow Your Small Penis Into A Bigger One?

Over the years, penis extenders and vacuum pumps have become more and more popular and range in price from $100 up to $500 for the better ones. We highly recommend using these devices as many clinical studies and scientific journals are proving their effectiveness.

Even medical professionals have begun recommending them to patients ever since the proven results have been published. If you read up on a phalloplasty website offering surgical penile augmentation, you will see that the after surgery care requires you to use an extender.21

Also, vacuum pumps are often prescribed to patients suffering from erectile dysfunction as a natural way of treatment without the use of prescription drugs which often carry harmful side effects with them.22

Extender devices have come a long way since they were first introduced. They used to be incredibly uncomfortable and painful to wear for prolonged periods. This led to many men abandoning their use of them and therefore not achieving the results they had anticipated.

Now they are available with many different comfort options including foam pads for cushioning which don’t restrict blood flow as opposed to the traditional noose system.

The Phallosan Forte extender has completely reinvented and innovated a new design that doesn’t require a loop nor does it require comfort pads. It uses a vacuum cylinder that encompasses the glans, holding it there with literally no discomfort whatsoever. This makes it so comfortable that it can be worn while sleeping and it can be worn for hours on end, so you will not end up abandoning it and will experience gains much faster.23

A clinical study involving the Phallosan Forte conducted in Germany showed an average of 1.9 inches in erect length. These were the average gains achieved by those involved for six months. The participants were required to wear the extender for at least eight hours a day which is more than possible when considering how comfortable it is.24

After wearing it for six months, the participants did not use it for the following six months but were required to attend the lab for measuring purposes to see whether or not the gains had stuck. Lo and behold, the added size did not decrease, proving that the results were permanent growth.

Most other brands of extenders claim that they have been proven by the FDA and are compliant. This is far from the truth, but for the Phallosan Forte, it’s a reality. Don’t believe me?

Feel free to hop over to the FDA website, and you will see for yourself that the Phallosan is listed as a grade A medical device. What more proof do you need?

What About Penis Exercise?

There are many forms of penis exercise, one of the most common ones that you’ve probably heard of is called jelqing. Penis exercises originated from ancient Arabs in Egypt. Exercises are much more complicated than simply just tugging on your penis for hours.

If you want to exercise, it’s best to follow one of the recommended training programs, guides such as the Penis Enlargement Remedy, Penis Advantage, or the Penis Enlargement Bible. These guides contain detailed images and instructions on how to safely incorporate exercises with a strict regime proven to give you the best possible results.

It’s ideal to supplement using one of the recommended male enhancement pills or utilize an extender or a penis pump once you have finished your exercise routine.

You must have realistic expectations!

Don’t think you’ll be able to add a couple of inches in length within just a week or two of doing five minutes of exercise a day. Rather it will be steady growth similar to that you would experience in the gym if you are working out. You won’t get those chiseled abs after two weeks in the gym so don’t expect the same with your penis.

Be realistic!

If you don’t have much money to spend then your best bet is to opt for an exercise program. They usually are the cheapest of the male enhancement products available.

If money is not an option and you have plenty of it, it’s best to use an extender, a pump, male enhancement supplements, and do penis exercises all at the same time. This will speed up your gains faster than ever, as all of the available methods that work will be implemented.

Let’s say you get a little bit lazy on one of the days and decide to skip your exercise routine. You can still take supplements and strap on a penis extender, so technically you wouldn’t have skipped anything. Take advantage of what’s available to you and make the most of it!

How Long Does Real Penis Enhancement Take?

You may begin to see results within a few weeks, but the chances are they will be temporary. To see more permanent gains and more significant ones, it’s best to give a timeframe of 3 to 6 months. It is important to remember that everyone is an individual and results will differ from person to person.25

Stay focused and don’t give up after a week or so if you don’t see any gains. Today we have much more sophisticated ways of enlarging the penis than were available in ancient Egypt so you can expect much better results in this day and age.

This is something that will work for everybody without exception. Unless of course, you have already gained your body’s maximum capability which will probably be 2 to 3 inches.

If you get lazy and skip days or stop doing your exercises, then it will take much longer for you to experience the benefits. That’s why it’s important to use multiple methods, some of which are very easy to implement on days when you just simply can’t be bothered.

On those days, just put on your Phallosan Forte and relax, let the extender do the work for you while you do whatever it is that you do when you’re chilling out. You can even wear it while you’re out and about or at work, it’s completely unnoticeable under trousers, and it does not constrict your movement. This can’t be said for any other brands of extenders!

Quick Fix – How To Make It Look Bigger

One way of making it look bigger is by only shaving or trimming your pubic hair. When the penis is buried under a bush of hair, then part of it is hidden. By simply removing the excessive hair, the whole of your penile shaft becomes visible making it appear larger. Work with what you have!

If you’ve got a fat pad around your pubic region, then consider working out to remove the excess belly fat. This will also expose part of the penis which is hidden.26

This is in no way shape or form considered penis enlargement, it’s merely an optical illusion, but it’s a start. Also, you could consider wearing preferred styles of bulge enhancing underwear that works to enhance the size of your package.

Small Penis Syndrome (SPS) – What Is It?

To simply put it, it’s a form of body dysmorphic disorder which is to do with the mind. Body dysmorphic disorder is when the perception of a part of the body is perceived as something that it’s not. Consider a girl who is obsessed with being a fact when in reality she has average body weight, or maybe she’s extremely skinny in the eyes of others.27

SPS is more associated with the penis. So a guy with an average penis will consider himself to be minuscule. Often this becomes an infatuation, and the person becomes obsessed to the point where it may be all he thinks about. His life will become depressive because his thoughts about his penis become an obstacle in the way of living his life normally.28

Personal experiences of a negative nature are usually the trigger that causes SPS, such as being ridiculed or rejected by a female due to his penis size. It’s best to seek expert medical assistance if you are suffering from SPS even though you have an average size penis when measuring.

Premature Ejaculation And Penis Size – What’s The Link?

From a statistical perspective, men with a small penis are reported to suffer more regularly from premature ejaculation.29 There is no evidence to suggest that there is any difference in sensitivity between a big or a small penis, so what’s the correlation?

Scientifically, it makes no sense. But, psychologically we may have an answer.

Regardless of how your partner feels about your penis size, men with a small penis usually feel more insecure inwardly if not outwardly.

Insecurity from puberty harbors stress and sexual anxiety which consequently results in prematurely ejaculating. The cumulative effects of not being able to last a very long time and time again heighten sexual tension in each subsequent sexual encounter. The cycle is not only hard to break, but it becomes worsened the next time around becoming a more and more vicious cycle.

How Is Confidence Affected By Having A Small Penis?

One of the most common problems associated with having a small penis is that it knocks a man’s confidence. Confidence is one of those things where if you have it, even if you have a small penis you will easily be able to have a fulfilling and adequate sex life.

Just remember that most of the sensation occurs at the clitoris and not within the vagina even during penetration. Every man is unique, and there is more to you than the size of your package. It’s time to make a change, don’t let your penis size control you any longer it’s time for you to control your penis size by using some of the devices and exercise programs mentioned earlier.

Sources

Body Freedom exclusively utilizes the best quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our content. Read our editorial process to learn more regarding our fact-checking to maintain the accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness of our content.

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  29. Sertkaya Z, Ertaş K, Tokuç E. The relationship between premature ejaculation and anogenital distance. Andrologia. 2020;52(6):e13571. doi:10.1111/and.13571

Shahrokh Shariat, MD

Prof. Shariat has published over 1400 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. In 2014 he received the Matula Award from the European Society of Urology (EAU), in 2017 the Gold Cystoscope Award from the American Society of Urology, probably the most important urologist award worldwide.

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