Are there methods to increase penile length in males?

From the Guidelines

There are limited evidence-based methods to increase male penis size, and most are associated with significant risks and uncertainties.

Methods to Increase Penis Size

• Pharmacological interventions: Such as vacuum erection devices and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil 50-100mg, tadalafil 10-20mg) may enhance erectile function but do not permanently increase penis size 1.
• Surgical procedures: Including penile lengthening and girth enhancement, are available but carry risks of complications, such as infection, scarring, and decreased erectile function, and typically result in modest gains of 1-2 cm in length and 1-2 cm in girth.

Key Considerations

• The evidence for these methods is largely based on studies of erectile dysfunction, rather than penis size specifically 1.
• Hormonal treatments, such as testosterone therapy, have been studied for their effects on erectile dysfunction, but their impact on penis size is unclear 1.
• PDE-5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil and tadalafil, have been shown to improve erectile function, but their effects on penis size are not well established 1.
• Risks and uncertainties associated with these methods should be carefully considered, and individuals should consult with a healthcare professional before pursuing any treatment 1.

From the Research

Methods to Increase Penile Length

There are several methods that have been studied to increase penile length in males, including:

• Surgical interventions, such as suspensory ligament incision, tissue grafting, flaps, and penile disassembly 2
• Nonsurgical interventions, such as extenders, injectables, and vacuum devices 2, 3
• Penile traction devices, which have been shown to be effective in increasing penile length 3

Efficacy of Methods

The efficacy of these methods varies, with some studies showing significant increases in penile length, while others show minimal or no increase. For example:

• Extenders have been shown to increase flaccid length by less than 2 cm 2
• Penile traction devices have been shown to be effective in increasing penile length, with results comparable to surgery 3
• Surgical interventions have been shown to have a high complication rate and are not externally validated 2

Complications and Risks

There are also complications and risks associated with these methods, including:

• High complication rates with surgical interventions 2
• Penile fibrosis, sexual dysfunction, device infection, and death with penile girth enhancement procedures 4
• Limited scientific evidence to support the use of many of these methods 2, 4, 5

Recommendations

Based on the available evidence, recommendations for the management of men complaining of a small penis despite an actually normal size include:

• Structured counseling to address any psychological issues related to penile size 2, 5
• Use of penile extenders as a first-line treatment option for patients seeking a penile lengthening procedure 3
• Limiting surgical interventions to special circumstances within research or university institutions with supervising ethics committees 5