From the Guidelines
No, enclomiphene cannot stimulate penile growth in adult men. Penile size is determined primarily during puberty under the influence of androgens, and once puberty is complete, the penis has reached its adult size. Enclomiphene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that works by blocking estrogen receptors in the pituitary gland, which increases luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production, ultimately raising testosterone levels in men. While enclomiphene can help address symptoms of hypogonadism by increasing testosterone production, it cannot cause structural growth of genital tissues in adults. The growth plates of the penis, like other tissues in the body, close after puberty, making further growth impossible regardless of hormone levels. Men concerned about penile size should understand that there are no medications, supplements, or non-surgical interventions that can increase adult penile dimensions, as this is determined by genetics and developmental factors during puberty.
The provided evidence from the American College of Physicians 1 focuses on the treatment of erectile dysfunction and does not support the use of enclomiphene for penile growth. The guidelines recommend the use of PDE-5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but do not mention enclomiphene as a treatment option for penile growth.
Key points to consider:
- Penile size is determined during puberty and does not change significantly after adulthood
- Enclomiphene increases testosterone production, but does not stimulate penile growth
- There are no medications, supplements, or non-surgical interventions that can increase adult penile dimensions
- The growth plates of the penis close after puberty, making further growth impossible regardless of hormone levels.
From the Research
Enclomiphene and Penile Growth
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest that enclomiphene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, can stimulate penile growth in an adult male 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies primarily focus on the use of clomiphene citrate, which contains both enclomiphene and zuclomiphene, for the treatment of hypogonadism in men, and its effects on testosterone levels, fertility, and symptoms of hypogonadism 2, 3, 5, 6.
- Enclomiphene has been shown to increase testosterone levels while stimulating FSH and LH production, which may have indirect effects on overall reproductive health, but its specific impact on penile growth is not addressed in the provided literature 5.
Mechanism of Action
- Clomiphene citrate, which includes enclomiphene, acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator, occupying the estrogen receptor and triggering an increase in GnRH, FSH, and LH, leading to increased testosterone production 4, 5, 6.
- The trans-isomer enclomiphene is believed to be responsible for most of the beneficial effects of clomiphene citrate on male hypogonadism, with zuclomiphene contributing little to the intended outcomes 5.
Safety and Efficacy
- Clomiphene citrate, and by extension enclomiphene, has been shown to be effective in improving testosterone levels, symptoms of hypogonadism, and fertility in men, with few reported side effects 2, 3, 6.
- The safety and efficacy of enclomiphene specifically are supported by its ability to maintain fertility in men with secondary hypogonadism, without the suppressive effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis seen with exogenous testosterone therapy 5.