Penis enlargement pills: Do they work? 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If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Many companies market penis enlargement pills and claim that these pills can increase a person’s penis size. However, there is no scientific evidence that these supplements work. Share on PinterestThis article explores the use of penis enlargement pills, their side effects, and alternative treatments. Males and females often benefit from differing vitamin and mineral types, quantities, and combinations. With this in mind, some pharmaceutical companies develop specific formulas of supplements, vitamins, shakes, and health bars to benefit either male or female biology. A person should discuss their options with a doctor or healthcare professional who can help them decide, and choose the product they feel works best for them and their needs. What are penis enlargement pills Penis enlargement pills are products that manufacturers claim can enlarge a person’s penis and increase their energy levels and sexual performance. Many brands market these supplements as male enhancement pills. However, any health benefits these supplements claim are clinically unproven. A person with concerns about their penis size may consider purchasing penis enlargement pills. However, some people who believe their penis is smaller than average may actually have an average penis size. A 2021 study notes that many men think that the average length of an erect penis is more than 6 inches (in). However, the research found that the average length of the penis is between 5.1 and 5.5 in. A 2019 study explains that people with an average penis size who believe they have less girth may have a penile dysmorphic disorder. This condition causes people to experience severe anxiety about their penis size. While many people have an average penis size and length, some health conditions may cause a smaller penis, such as micropenis and Peyronie’s disease. Micropenis is a rare condition in which the penis is substantially smaller than average. In some people, micropenis is linked with hormonal differences. Peyronie’s disease is when the penis develops a characteristic bend when erect. This may make the penis appear smaller than average. Do penis enlargement pills work Although penis enlargement pill manufacturers claim these products increase the penis’s size, there is no clinical evidence to suggest that they can boost a person’s sexual performance or increase penis length or girth. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many brands market sexual enhancement products as dietary supplements containing hidden active ingredients that could be harmful. These ingredients may include tadalafil and sildenafil, the active ingredients of Viagra and Cialis. These medications treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and an enlarged prostate. Sildenafil can interact with prescription drugs that contain nitrates, such as nitroglycerin. Doctors prescribe nitrates for high blood pressure and heart disease. Interaction between these two medications can cause life threatening low blood pressure. How do they claim to work Many penis enlargement pill manufacturers claim their proprietary formulas of herbs, vitamins, minerals, hormones, and botanicals enhance a person’s vitality and sex life to such an extent that their penis grows. However, these pills may contain unreported ingredients for treating ED, making it easier for a person to achieve and maintain erections. Someone may feel that their penis is longer as a result. Some manufacturers claim that penis enlargement pills work by:increasing total and free testosteroneimproving blood flow to the penis with vasodilatorsincreasing semen’s volume of zinc and testosterone One penis enlargement pill has the following ingredients:tongkat ali, which purportedly increases testosterone levelsmaca, an herb the website claims increases sexual staminaL-arginine, an amino acid that the company says can prompt the growth of new penis tissue and improve blood flowa blend of ginseng roots to increase libido, boost testosterone levels, and fight inflammation What are the side effects and risks According to a 2014 study, the most common ingredients found in penis enlargement pills are yohimbe, maca, horny goat weed, and ginkgo biloba. However, the study notes that these are ineffective in helping people with penis size concerns and can even cause mood changes, anxiety, and hallucinations. A 2018 study also states that all-natural enhancement supplements that companies market as dietary supplements can lead to adverse effects, such as life threatening low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and potentially increased cancer risk. These risks are partially due to undeclared active ingredients, such as sildenafil. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that many companies do not declare how much yohimbe is in their products. This substance can cause anxiety and increase the risk of heart attacks and seizures. People taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, a type of antidepressant, should avoid yohimbe to reduce the risk of side effects from these drugs. These antidepressants include phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). The NCCIH states that ginkgo biloba extract also comes with risks. This ingredient can increase the risk of bleeding, particularly if a person is taking blood thinners. Other side effects include headaches, constipation, and allergic dermatitis. Alternatives to penile enlargement pills People with concerns about their penis size should consult a urologist or a doctor specializing in sexual health. They may recommend different treatment options that include the below. Lifestyle changes The following lifestyle changes may increase a person’s confidence in their penis size:Grooming: People can trim the pubic hair around their penis to make it look bigger.Maintaining a moderate weight: Having a larger stomach that hangs over the pubic area can make a penis appear smaller.Engaging in regular physical activity: Increasing overall fitness may lead to more confidence and better sex. Traction devices Traction devices work by stretching the penis tissue, which may lead to an increase in penis length. People can wear traction devices, or penile extenders, for around an hour each day. These devices may be beneficial for people with Peyronie’s disease. Traction devices or extending frames may lead to some growth in penis size, particularly for people with a smaller penis. However, these gains in size are typically only a few centimeters and may take several months of treatment to achieve. A 2019 study reviewed the effects of RestoreX in people with Peyronie’s disease. The traction device improved penile curvature and erectile function and did not produce any adverse effects. Vacuum erection devices People with ED may consider vacuum pumps to help them maintain an erection. They fit these devices over their penis and pump air out to create a vacuum, which draws blood into the penis to cause swelling. Vacuum pumps do not increase penis size, but they may help a person achieve an erection. Vacuum devices can treat ED, but there is no clinical evidence of these devices increasing penis size. According to a 2014 study, doctors may recommend treating ED after prostate cancer treatment with vacuum erection devices alongside medication, such as sildenafil. Find out where to buy a vacuum pump. Jelqing massage People may perform jelqing exercises, which involve using their thumb and index finger to pull the flaccid penis and improve blood flow. This technique may increase the length and girth of an erect penis. However, no scientific studies review the effects of jelqing exercises. Additionally, some side effects of this technique include:bruising pain fibrosis Penile cast Penile casts are support devices that a person can wear during sexual intercourse. These devices may provide length and rigidity to the penile shaft. They come in different sizes and fit over the penis. Surgery The Urology Care Foundation states that surgery is suitable for people with a penis less than 7.5 centimeters (3 in) when stretched. There are three types of surgical procedures for penis enlargement:Liposuction: With liposuction, surgeons remove fat from the mons pubis, or area of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone, to make the penis appear more prominent.Suspensory ligament division: The doctor cuts the suspensory ligament that attaches the penis to the public bone. This causes the angle of the penis to drop, making it look longer when a person has an erection. Fat transfer: Surgeons remove fat from other parts of the body and inject it into the penis, increasing girth. However, this procedure can lead to scarring, lumps, and infection. Learn more about penis enlargement surgeries. Medications There are no pills that can enlarge the penis, but some prescription medications may benefit people with ED. These can increase blood flow to the penis, making it easier for people to have and maintain an erection. Doctors may prescribe:Sildenafil (Viagra): This prescription drug is available in doses of 20–100 milligrams (mg). Tadalafil (Cialis): This prescription drug is available in doses of 5–20 mg.Avanafil (Stendra, Spedra): This prescription drug is available in 10–20 mg doses. People may take these medications 1 hour before sexual activity. Some side effects include headaches, heartburn, and muscle aches. Additionally, these medications can cause interactions with other drugs, such as nitrates, which can cause dangerously low blood pressure. Learn more about the side effects of these medications. These medications are also available to purchase from online pharmacies or telehealth companies such as Hims, Lemonaid, and Roman. People must usually undergo a consultation and receive a prescription before ordering from these companies. Other penis enlargement techniques to avoid There is no clinical evidence to support additional techniques to increase penis size. In fact: using weights as penile extenders may even be harmfulremoving fat from the low abdomen with liposuction can help make a partially buried penis more visible, but the impact will dissipate if the person gains weight again The Urology Care Foundation states that suspensory ligament division and fat transfer, the two main surgical procedures for increasing penis size, are neither safe nor effective. When to contact a doctor People should seek medical advice if they have concerns with their penis size. Doctors may ask about their medical history in order to provide a diagnosis and suggest a treatment plan. A person should disclose whether they are taking dietary supplements that claim to enlarge the penis or enhance performance or sexual activity. Some supplements contain undeclared ingredients that can lead to severe adverse reactions when taken with other prescription medications. Frequently asked questions Below are some common questions about penis enlargement pills. Are penis enlargement pills safe Not always. Since many penis enlargement pills companies market them as food supplements, they do not receive the same level of regulation as medications. According to the FDA, some penis enlargement pills may contain undeclared ingredients, such as sildenafil, a medication for ED. Sildenafil can cause dangerous interactions with medication widely prescribed to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. What is the average penis size It is difficult to measure the size of a flaccid penis because many conditions affect it, such as room temperature. According to researchers, the average size of an erect penis is between 5.1 and 5.5 in, and the lower end of this range is probably more common. Is it safe to buy penis enlargement pills online Not necessarily. It is difficult to determine the ingredients in these products when shopping online. In addition, some penis enlargement pills may contain potentially dangerous unlisted ingredients, such as sildenafil. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in ED medications, and people should only take it under the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional. Summary Many companies market penis enlargement pills or other sexual supplements as dietary supplements. They claim they are safe and effective in increasing penis size. However, there is currently no clinical evidence that penis enlargement pills work. Instead, research shows that these supplements can be dangerous, as they may contain ingredients often found in prescription medications. People concerned about their penis size should consider the evidence, which shows that most individuals with these worries actually have an average size penis. If a person’s penis is truly smaller than average, or an individual is distressed about their perception of it, they should consider consulting a healthcare professional. Last medically reviewed on August 30, 2022UncategorizedMen's HealthSexual Health / STDs 19 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Bouvattier, C. (2014). Micropenis [Abstract].https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0929693X14001468Campbell, J., et al. (2017). A review of penile elongation surgery.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5313298/Corazza, O., et al. (2014). Sexual enhancement products for sale online: Raising awareness of the psychoactive effects of yohimbine, maca, horny goat weed, and ginkgo biloba.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082836Dhaliwal, A., et al. (2020). PDE5 inhibitor.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549843FDA. (2020). FDA warns consumers to avoid certain male enhancement and weight loss products sold through Amazon, eBay and other retailers due to hidden, potentially dangerous drug ingredients [Press release].https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-consumers-avoid-certain-male-enhancement-and-weight-loss-products-sold-through-amazon-ebayGhanem, H., et al. (2017). Infrapubic liposuction for penile length augmentation in patients with infrapubic adiposities [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28155063/Ginkgo. (2020).https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ginkgoHehemann, M. C., et al. (2019). Penile girth enlargement strategies: What's the evidence? 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(2022).https://www.fda.gov/drugs/medication-health-fraud/tainted-sexual-enhancement-productsThe Foundation's recommendation on penile augmentation. (n.d.).https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/p/penile-augmentationTucker, J., et al. (2018). Unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients included in dietary supplements associated with US Food and Drug Administration warnings.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2706496Yang, D. Y., et al. (2020). Comparison of clinical outcomes between hyaluronic and polylactic acid filler injections for penile augmentation in men reporting a small penis: A multicenter, patient-blinded/evaluator-blinded, non-inferiority, randomized comparative trial with 18 months of follow-up. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230452Yohimbe. (2020).https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yohimbeZiegelmann, M., et al. (2019). Outcomes of a novel penile traction device in men with Peyronie's disease: A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial [Abstract].https://www.auajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1097/JU.0000000000000245FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Roger Bielinski, MD, Urology — By Kristina Iavarone — Updated on August 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat size is the average penis?Medically reviewed by Joseph Brito III, MD Many people worry that their penis is not big enough, but that may not be the case. 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