Do Penis Enlargement Products EVER Work?

If you’ve ever Googled “penis enlargement,” you’ve probably noticed that it’s a pretty popular topic on the Internet. To be exact, you’ll see 4.28 million search results, many of which tout pills, potions, and pumps that supposedly enhance your junk.

Do they work, or are they junk themselves?

The simple answer: No. They don’t work.

The not-so-simple answer: “To date there’s never been a cream, a pill, or anything of that nature that’s been shown to benefit phallus size,” says Thomas J. Walsh, M.D. an associate professor of urology and director of the University of Washington Men’s Health Center. In other words: “There’s no quick, one-shot way to increase the size or the function of the male penis.”

To understand why, let’s review what actually goes on during erections. Your penis contains spongy erectile bodies—we’re totally stealing that for our band name—that fill with blood as you rise to the occasion. “These fibrous cylinders are fixed to the pelvic bone, and by virtue of being fixed to the pelvic bone, they are not easily manipulated,” says Dr. Walsh. “They are fixed in place, and for most men, the length of the penis that they achieve through puberty becomes their maximum length.”

A supplement that increases blood flow might help those bodies fill faster so you reach your peak in less time, but they won’t actually make you bigger, says Larry Lipshultz, M.D., a Men’s Health urology advisor and chief of male reproductive medicine and surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine.

The good news is that most guys don’t need help with their members. “The majority of men who come in seeking penile enlargement are average,” says Dr. Lipshultz. A comment from a partner or the sight of a larger penis on a video could just mislead you into thinking that you’re small, he says. “I just don’t think men have a realistic idea of what normal is. Hence they think that they are below normal when actually they’re average,” says Dr. Lipshultz.

The average erect penis measures 5.6 inches, according to research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. And research shows that’s plenty for most women.

If you’re really concerned about your size, first consider what surrounds your genitals. A common culprit behind size worries is “suprapubic fat” that essentially buries part of your penis, making it appear shorter, says Dr. Lipshultz. Losing weight could help you uncover a few inches.

Now, if your schlong itself is truly shrinking, it could be the sign of a medical problem. “There are some things that can cause injury to the penis that can cause a decrease in length over time, including lack of use that’s associated with erectile dysfunction and aging,” says Dr. Walsh. If you aren’t getting it up as well as you usually do, see your doctor, he recommends. You won’t just help your penis—you could save your heart. “There’s a very strong association between new erectile dysfunction and subsequently experiencing a cardiovascular event,” says Dr. Walsh.

Another example is Peyronie’s Disease, a condition where the penis curves as a result of scar tissue buildup. If you notice a change in the angle of your erections, see a urologist who specializes in sexual medicine. Your doctor can prescribe an intervention, such as a penile traction device or vacuum device, which can essentially stretch contracted scar tissue back to its normal length, says Dr. Walsh. They won’t do much for healthy penis tissue, which is probably as elastic as it can be already, he says.

And follow your doctor’s advice rather than purchasing a product from a sex shop, recommends Dr. Walsh. The prescription versions have higher-grade materials: “They’re more comfortable; they’re of appropriate proportion; they’re probably a little bit safer for men; and they come with appropriate instructions on their use,” he says.

If you’re healthy and just looking for a bedroom boost? You can’t lengthen your wang, but you can make sure it stays hard: “Improving your overall physique, reducing body fat, increasing lean muscle, and improving cardiovascular health have all been shown to enhance sexual performance,” says Dr. Walsh. “Anything you could think of to improve your overall health outlook is going to improve your sexual function and your sexual appearance.”

A study review published just last month in the Asian Journal of Andrology recommends the following factors to prevent erectile dysfunction:

• Do 30 minutes per day or 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise.

• Lose 5 to 10 percent of your body weight if you’re overweight or obese.

• Eat more fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Limit red meat and processed food. Limit saturated fat and eat more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Avoid added sugars and sugary beverages.

• Limit alcohol to 1 to 2 drinks, maximum, per day.

• Don’t smoke.

Finally, don’t do anything drastic in search of a longer penis: “Steer clear of clinics that are offering quick fixes or unsanctioned surgical procedures to increase the size of a phallus,” says Dr. Walsh. Some doctors will implant materials around the penis to add girth, but those procedures can have problematic side effects. The material can migrate, destroying surrounding tissue or decreasing sensation, he says. “These kinds of surgical procedures can be dangerous for men and can really have a negative impact on their sexual function overall.”