Do Penis Enlargement Pills Work? What You Need to Know

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Penis size can be a source of insecurity for many people concerned about their own size. It can be an uncomfortable topic for some, which may lead to misunderstandings about average length and what ways — if any — someone could increase their size.

In fact, according to a 2021 study , most men believe the average penis size is bigger than it actually is. They think the average size of an erect penis is more than 6 inches, but the study found the actual average length is around 5.1 inches.

Administrative spending is particularly problematic in United States hospitals, where it makes up about 25% of total hospital spending and accounts for hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare spending annually, The Commonwealth Fund The percentage of total hospital spending devoted to administration is highest in for-profit hospitals, followed by nonprofit hospitals, teaching hospitals, and finally public hospitals. Outdated reimbursement and reporting methods are a big part of the administrative cost, says Salvo-Wendt. “Reimbursing in bundled payments instead of itemizing each service or component would produce instant savings of administrative costs.”

Companies that create penis enlargement products can perpetuate these insecurities, leading people to look for penis enlargement methods. But the truth is, many of the products you see advertised as penis enlargement supplements just aren’t effective. Some can even put your health at risk.

Keep reading to learn more about penis enlargement pills and other products to understand their effectiveness and potential risks.

Penis enlargement pills are advertised to help people with a penis who are self-conscious about their size. Most of these dietary supplements and pills don’t require approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and don’t have to prove they’re safe or effective.

Since supplements aren’t regulated as drugs are, it’s easy for incorrect ingredient types or amounts to be listed on the packaging, which may make it difficult to know how they’ll affect your health.

Sometimes called male enhancement supplements, these pills may also claim to increase energy levels and sexual performance.

Ginkgo biloba extract is one common ingredient in these types of supplements. Some believe the extract helps increase blood flow and sexual function. However, research from 2020 shows there’s no relationship between this ingredient and sexual function.

Other common herbal ingredients in penis enlargement pills include yohimbine, maca, and horny goat weed. Research from 2014 shows these are also ineffective and could lead to negative health effects, such as mood changes, anxiety, hallucinations, and addictive behaviors.

One ingredient in some penis enlargement pills is sildenafil , the main active ingredient in erectile dysfunction (ED) medication like Viagra. Sildenafil could be dangerous at high doses, especially for people with heart conditions or people taking medication for blood pressure. Additionally, sildenafil has only been shown to treat ED and doesn’t have any effect on your size or length.

All that said, because these supplements don’t require FDA approval, they may also contain ingredients that aren’t identified on the label.

Male enhancement products claim to work through a combination of herbal ingredients and medications. Despite the growing market of supplements claiming to be aphrodisiacs, little to no research has been done to demonstrate the safety of these products.

The little research that has been done showed that these products are ineffective, and some can have potentially dangerous side effects.

Once you get past the marketing hype of penis enlargement pills, you’ll see most of the claims have little to no evidence to support them. Since supplements have little regulation, there are no actual requirements to prove the effectiveness of products or even list all the ingredients.

Be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of these products.

Some of the ingredients in penis enlargement supplements could interact with medications or health conditions.

These ingredients include:

Yohimbe:This ingredient may change the effectiveness of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, an antidepressant.
Ginkgo biloba extract:This ingredient may change the effectiveness of medications that affect the nervous system, such as clozapine, alprazolam, olanzapine. It may also cause changes in mood if taken with St. John’s wort, fluoxetine, and melatonin.

People with heart conditions or those taking blood pressure medication could experience unsafe drops in blood pressure, leading to:

loss of consciousness
headaches
dizziness
difficulty concentrating

There are other methods and products on the market that claim to help increase penis size.

Research from 2010 shows that surgery is the only proven method to increase size, but it’s important to note that surgery is considered high risk and a last resort. It is not recommended by the American Urologic Association (AUA) and is not endorsed by most urologists.

Here is a closer look at the other treatments and products available. Note that we include general pricing information with each method so you can get a sense of the least expensive, moderate, and most expensive options and compare.

Lotions

Like pills, lotions or oils use ingredients like vitamins and herbal aphrodisiacs to increase penis size. On average, they are also the least expensive option on this list. But these, like pills, are proven ineffective.

Pros

variety of products available
simple to use

Cons

products aren’t regulated
most products aren’t effective
could cause skin irritation or reactions

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Traction devices

Traction devices, also called penile extenders, are designed to be worn for an extended time. The main reason people may use a traction device is due to penile shortening secondary to Peyronie’s disease.

The device is strapped to a flaccid penis and worn for several hours every day. Traction devices use gentle tension to gradually stretch the penis.

A small 2011 study suggested that the devices may increase penis size by a half-inch to up to 2 inches. Larger scale research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of traction devices.

Andropenis is an FDA-approved device that may provide results for length and girth.

Pros

may increase penis length by 0.5 to 2 inches
FDA-approved devices available

Cons

may not work for everyone
limited research available on long-term safety and effectiveness

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Vacuum pumps

Penis pumps, also known as vacuum pumps, are sometimes used for treating ED. It’s considered an option for people who had their prostate removed or are not candidates for ED medications like Viagra.

Vacuum pumps are sometimes advertised to increase penis size, and pumps can provide a temporarily larger size. However, vacuum pumps may damage tissue or blood vessels in your penis, causing issues with future erections.

A popular vacuum pump brand is Encore. If you’re searching for a pump, it’s important to have the proper education about use and check for products with a vacuum limiter.

Pros

may increase penis size
may help treat ED symptoms

Cons

can cause damage if used incorrectly
results may be temporary

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Surgery

Research from 2020 suggested surgery is the only effective option to increase penis size, but it still carries risks and is generally not recommended. In addition, this option is very expensive and likely isn’t covered by insurance unless medically necessary.

A few surgical procedures occasionally used for penis enlargement include:

injecting fat from another part of your body or filler into the shaft of your penis, which may only provide temporary effects, as part of the fat or filler can be absorbed
cutting the suspensory ligament and increasing length, though this option may affect the stability of erections
inserting inflatable or flexible implants

Penis enlargement surgeries are considered high risk. Most doctors believe the dangers aren’t worth the risks of surgery when used for purely cosmetic reasons. Typically, surgery is only recommended as the last treatment option for certain conditions like ED.

Pros

may increase penis size

Cons

generally not recommended due to health risks
most doctors believe the dangers outweigh the possible benefits

Do Penis Enlargement Pills Work? What You Need to Know