Can You Make Your Penis Bigger?

Written by
The Manual Team
Medically approved by
Dr Earim Chaudry
Last updated
22nd November 2021

In 30 seconds…

Whilst it is possible to make your penis bigger, you should consider whether penis enlargement surgery is really necessary. Studies show that men tend to overestimate how big a penis ‘should’ be, and it’s likely that you care more about your size than your sexual partners.

Can I Make My Penis Bigger?

It’s common for men to want a bigger penis. Studies in fact show that nearly half of all men would like theirs to be larger. And with a culture on our backs that always tells us bigger is better, it’s hard not to succumb to the sense that just another inch or so would be nice.

With this feeling so widespread, there are many practices and pills that are sold as penis enlargement methods. From the famous penis stretches to penis enlargement pills, though, not many do exactly what they claim. Meanwhile, penis enlargement surgery works, yet it is a significant step to take in pursuit of being better endowed: it’s expensive, painful, and risky.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at all the methods that claim to give you a bigger penis. However, we wouldn’t recommend that you use any.

Do Penis Enlargement Pills Work?

Whilst there is a huge variety of so-called penis enlargement pills available online, the short answer is no. There isn’t a pill that will make your penis bigger.

Most of the pills that you see on the market claim to work by boosting hormones. They tend to include plant extracts including panax ginseng, L-arginine, and saw palmetto, which are often sold as herbal Viagra alternatives or as ways to boost your testosterone. There is no real evidence that they do either of these things. Meanwhile, you cannot ever know for sure just what is in them.

What about Penis Enlargement Creams, Gels, or Lotions?

Exactly the same applies for creams, gels, shampoos, or lotions that claim to help your length and girth. They often state that they include vitamins and minerals, nutrients and hormones, that can help you grow. However, again, quite simply, they will not make your penis bigger.

The full size of your penis is caused by your genes, not your hormones. Whilst testosterone plays a role in the process of an erection, that process is dependent upon a lot of other things too.

Do Stretches Work?

Penis enlargement stretches are one of the more well-known techniques that purportedly increase your member’s size. However, just because they are well-known, this does not mean that they work. All evidence as to their effectiveness is merely anecdotal – whilst science has not studied whether or not they actually work.

Jelqing

Jelqing is a type of penis stretch in which you use your hands to massage your penis. When you are flaccid or at least not fully erect, you take your penis at the base between your thumb and forefinger and slide up to the tip, whilst applying a bit of pressure. It’s a bit like pushing a liquid through a tube.

The “science” is that, in performing the jelqing stretches, you create microscopic tears in your skin and tissue that swell as they heal. The supposed result is a slightly larger penis – temporarily at least.

No studies have considered the effectiveness of jelqing, yet scientists do not look on it well. What is actually happening is that you are merely manually pushing blood into your penis, which exits again as you stop massaging.

Watch out, though. Because whilst unlikely, it is possible to damage your penis if you are going too hard.

Other Penis Stretches

Another type of penis stretch involves you simply pulling on the end of your flaccid penis. One method suggests pulling upwards for ten seconds, downwards for ten, and to the right and left.

Doctors, however, do not recommend the use of this technique.

Devices?

Meanwhile, others claim that certain devices, including penis pumps, can make your penis bigger.

Penis pumps are mechanical devices used as an alternative treatment for erectile dysfunction. They physically pull blood into the penis through means of suction, via a tube that is placed over the end of your penis.

Unfortunately, however, there is no hard evidence that this can be any use for lengthening your penis.

And Penis Enlargement Surgery?

If you’re serious about your desire to increase your penis size, there is the option of penis enlargement surgery. This comes in a variety of forms and, whilst it works to a degree, it is expensive and quite risky.

Penile Implants

A penile implant, usually made of silicon, can be inserted into the skin of the penis which will increase your size in both your erect and flaccid states. Whilst it is safe, and whilst the doctors at the surgery that performs the operation claim a 95% success rate, the op costs $13,000 (£11,000).

Plastic Surgery

Another option includes having a ligament cut on your penis, which enables the penis hang out further and so appear longer. However, unfortunately – and bizarrely – in some cases, the opposite effect can be had: it can actually make your penis shorter.

With a price tag of nearly $10,000 and a warning issued against the procedure by the American Urological Association, it might not be worth your time.

Fat Implants

Finally, there is the possibility of fat implants too. These usually consist of fat that is removed from a different part of your body and reinserted into your penis. As you can imagine, this isn’t cheap either – and there are serious complications that you should watch out for too.

Do You Need to Make Your Penis Bigger?

Whilst you may feel like you are smaller than average, you need to be really sure that you want to make your penis bigger before undergoing any of these procedures. In the majority of cases, it isn’t worth the effort – or the potential pain.

Instead, what might be helpful to remember is that the average penis size is probably a little smaller than you think. The largest study of penis size found that the average length was 5.16 inches and the average girth 4.59 inches. Yet, in another study, both women and men thought that the average length was almost half an inch more than this. It’s possible that you are not doing your length justice.

Further, whilst there is a lot of disinformation about penis size around, there is one thing that is true: size counts less than what you do with it. According to another study, 85% of women were satisfied with the length of their partner’s penis – as long as their partner was sensitive to their needs.

Key Takeaways

There are options for men who want to make their penis bigger. However, they are not options that we would lightly recommend. Whilst the effectiveness of penis enlargement pills and exercises are not supported by any evidence at all, penis enlargement surgery is expensive and risky.

Your best option is to find a way to be satisfied with your length as it is. The chances are that your sexual partners are already satisfied.

FAQs

Is bigger always better?

No, not at all. Whilst Western culture tends to make men think that the bigger their penis is, the better thy will perform in bed, the truth is that size has little to do with mutual sexual satisfaction. Instead of worrying about size, we should focus on communication with our sexual partners to achieve pleasure.

Is it possible to enlarge your penis?

Yes, it is possible to increase your penis size. However, be aware that almost none of the purported enlargement options actually work. The only proven method for penis enlargement is penis enlargement surgery, but this is expensive, painful, and risky.

Do penis enlargement pills, creams, and stretches work?

No, none of the pills, creams or exercises claiming to enlarge your penis actually work. The only scientifically proven method for enlarging a penis is surgery.

How much does penis enlargement surgery cost, and what are the risks?

Penis enlargement surgery is expensive, at around £10-11,000, and plastic surgery/fat implant options carry severe risks, which you should read about thoroughly before considering.

While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.

Further reading

From our health centre. Experts, information and hot topics. See all Penis Health articles

Daily Health by Manual

Daily health supplements

Help your body fight the good fight with our scientifically proven range of nutrients and vitamins. Making healthier easier, every day.

Shop