IS bigger really better?
Millions of men agonise over the question – and many go to extreme lengths because they strongly believe the answer is “yes”.
GettyThousands of men undergo penis enlargement procedures every year[/caption]
Some have acid injected into their privates, while others let doctors loose with a scalpel.
The fact of the matter is, “most men want to have a bigger penis, even if they have a perfectly normal sized one”, according to Marinos Alexandrou, director at leading enlargement clinic International Andrology, London.
And it turns out enlarging your member is totally possible.
There are two main treatment options for male genital enhancement – surgery and filler.
The surgical option gives both length and girth a boost, whereas filler only increases girth.
Prices start at a few hundred pounds, but go upwards of £8,300, so is it worth it?
From whether it provides a boost in the bedroom to how many inches you can realistically add, here we reveal everything you’ve ever wanted to know about increasing the size of your manhood.
What is penis enlargement surgery?
Because penis enlargement surgery increases length and girth, the operation consists of two parts – though both are usually done at the same time.
According to Dr Nenad Djakovic, from private urology hospital Moorgate Andrology, the best results are seen in patients who opt for both simultaneously.
Length
Lengthening surgery involves dividing the suspensory ligament, which holds the penis close to the pubic bone and supports it when erect.
“This allows between 1 to 2in (2 to 5cm) of hidden penis length to become visible,” Dr Djakovic said.
While it doesn’t increase the actual length of the penis, it looks longer because more of it is “on show” outside the body.
“It is when the penis is flaccid that most men are concerned about the size,” the expert added.
Girth
To increase girth, fat is taken from the stomach and the inner thighs, where the “best quality fat is”, Dr Djakovic said.
This is then purified by removing blood, dead cells and oils before being injected into the shaft.
“This will increase the penis girth by 1 to 2in (2 to 5cm) depending on initial absorption,” Dr Djakovic said.
“In almost all cases, there is an initial absorption of between 30 and 50 per cent of the fat.
“The remaining fat gets its own blood supply and then becomes living tissue.
“At this point, it is then considered permanent.”
Penis enlargement surgery – the procedure
The lengthening surgical steps include:
A half-moon incision (at the area where the penile shaft connects to the pubic bone)
Cutting of the suspensory ligaments
Implanting a silicon buffer or testicular implant between the public bone and penile shaft (to prevent re-attachment of the ligaments
Closing of the incision (using absorbable stitches)
Then comes the fat injection:
Abdominal or thigh fat suction
Fat preparation (processing to remove any non-fat tissue)
Fat injection at the base of the penis
Source: International Andrology
Surgery, which takes about 90 minutes, is best suited to those who want long-lasting length and thickness, experts say.
Out of all the procedures available, it promises the most impressive results.
“It remains the most established procedure for penile enlargement,” Dr Djakovic said.
Girth or length only procedures start at £6,995, but they can be done together from £7,995.
OK, but does it actually work?
Everyone is different, so the results will of course vary.
However, surgeons are confident that nine in 10 patients will increase their flaccid penis length by at least 1 to 2in (2 to 5cm), and flaccid and erect girth by the same.
International Andrology said the average gain of its patients is 1.6in (4.2cm) in length, and 1.5in (3.9cm) in girth.
The largest it has heard of is 7.9in (20cm) in circumference, though is would mean the penis was “hardly functional”.
Moorgate Andrology has seen some patients increase their flaccid girth by 2.5in and length by 2in.
The use of a stretching device post-surgery can further improve your results.
A man before and after penis enlargement surgery
Another patient’s gains following an operation to increase length and girth
On average, patients gain 1.6in (4.2cm) in length, and 1.5in (3.9cm) in girth
Don’t fancy going under the knife? Try penis filler
If the idea of having part of your manhood severed gives you the heebie-jeebies, you could give penis filler a go.
It won’t make your pecker any longer, but it can double your girth.
It is also fully reversible and it’s the cheapest option (prices start at £199 per ml) – so a major win if you’re on a budget.
“Filler is chosen by men who do not want surgery or who perhaps want an enlargement but can’t afford surgery,” Dr Djakovic said.
“It is really a girth-enhancing procedure, although the weight of filler on the penis can make it look a little longer when flaccid.”
Filler is made of hyaluronic acid (HA) – a naturally occurring substance found throughout the body’s connective tissue.
Results in just 30 minutes
The procedure can take as little as 30 minutes, and patients can then go about their days as normal so it is a considered a relatively painless and minimally invasive option.
Results can be visible almost immediately.
Exactly how much girth increases depends on the volume of HA filler used.
In general, with 12 to 15ml, men will gain around 0.8 to 1in (2cm to 2.5cm).
Doctors prefer not to inject more than 15ml in one go to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, but a second injection can be done after three weeks.
Like the filler many people get in their faces, penis filler is only temporary, with results lasting one to two years for most patients.
“After this, top-up treatment will be required to maintain the size,” Dr Djakovic said.
He added that about a third of all penis filler patients eventually go on to have enlargement surgery.
Penis filler – the procedure
A local anaesthetic injection is given at the base of the penis and an anaesthetic cream is applied to the penile shaft
A 15-minute wait for the pain-killer to kick in
The skin is cleaned with a special sterilising agent
A single filler injection is made into the penis
A doctor manually moulds and distributes the filler so that a natural-looking increase in girth is achieved
Source: International Andrology
The bedroom benefits
So will it improve your sex life?
“This is a good question,” Dr Djakovic said.
“Having a penis enlargement will not automatically make you a better lover, however, for many men who have been lacking confidence in their penis size, it can greatly improve their sex lives as a result.
“This is especially true if they have avoided sexual contact because of their embarrassment in terms of their penis size.
“Some men report that their sex lives have improved after surgery because their partners have had multiple births with vaginal deliveries that have caused slackening in the vaginal muscles.
“The increased penis girth can help to compensate for this.”
Professor Amr Raheem, consultant andrologist at Inernational Andrology London, added: “The impact of penile enlargement on a person’s sex life is subjective.
“For some, increased size may boost confidence and indirectly enhance sexual experience, however, these procedures don’t directly affect sexual performance or pleasure.
“A healthy self-image and effective communication with a partner are key to a fulfilling sex life.”
Patient Tommy Mordecai, who found it hard to be intimate with his wife because of his “small” penis, described a major boost post-surgery.
He said: “My sex life has improved; I’m not holding my back my desire to engage in sexual activity.
“It has made a real difference to my life and how I feel about myself.
“It’s changed my relationship completely.
“I now feel comfortable standing naked in front of my partner and we’ve been able become intimate again which was something I struggled with.”
The potential side effects
The potential risks of surgery include infection, post-op bleeding, bump formations (which are treatable), and foreskin tightening, which can be painful.
Filler could result in rapid absorption, infection, asymmetry, and incorrect placement.
Most changes can be reversed, but in rare cases, corrective treatment or surgery is unsuccessful.
This won’t necessarily affect the functionality of the penis, but may impact its appearance.
International AndrologyA patient before and after undergoing penis enlargement surgery[/caption]
International AndrologyThis man added 1.3in (3.3cm) in length and 1.4in (3.5cm) in girth[/caption]
International AndrologyAnother surgical success story at International Andrology[/caption]
The most common reasons men have it
“Penis enlargement is now more popular than it has ever been,” Dr Djakovic said.
“This is perhaps in line with more and more men having cosmetic surgery generally, and there is also free access to online porn and men can see what could potentially be achieved with a cosmetic enhancement of the penis.
“We also see patients with so-called ‘micro-penis’, who suffer greatly from emotional distress, depression and loneliness.”
According to Moorgate Andrology, the most common reasons for penis enlargement include:
“I’m embarrassed about my penis size”
“My small penis prevents me from developing long-term relationships”
“Sexual partners have told me my penis is too small”
“I am between relationships and want to use this ‘single time’ to get the procedure done”
“I want a bigger penis as a lifestyle choice, like a ‘man makeover’ – like many men have hair transplants or cosmetic dentistry”
Psychological issues (e.g. a man’s penis might be average-sized, but they cannot accept it)
Is it safe?
Surgery and filler are both considered relatively low-risk procedures – but they of course carry an element of risk.
Experts advise making sure the doctor carrying out your procedure is a specialist urologist, registered with the General Medical Council.
Other options
Moorgate Andrology has treated patients aged 18 to 80, but the most common age range is 25 to 50.
Most people that have penis enlargement surgery or penis filler fit into two categories:
Men with a normal-sized penis who want it to be bigger for cosmetic reasons
Men with smaller-than-average penises who experience distress or issues with sex or long-term relationships
But many others undergo either – or another procedure entirely – because they have a medical problem.
These include erectile dysfunction (ED) and Peyronie’s disease (also known as a curved or bent penis).
Penile implant
ED is often treated with medication such as Viagra, but there is a surgical option – the penile implant, or prosthesis.
This custom-fit device essentially replaces the damage erection mechanism, helping to produce a natural-looking and feeling erection.
Studies indicate 93.8 per cent of men are satisfied after getting an implant, compared to 51.6 per cent for Viagra or 40.9 per cent for injection therapy.
Botox
Botulinum toxin injections, like Botox, can be used to relax the smooth muscle in the erectile mechanism, making it able to sustain an erection in ED sufferers.
It works in the same way that Botox relaxes muscles in the face to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, International Andrology said.
PRP
ED and Peyronie’s disease can also be treated by Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections.
These use a concentration of a patient’s own platelets (blood cells) to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints.
Marinos said: “We are experimentally using PRP under the same premises to enhance blood vessel circulation in the erectile mechanism and reduce scarring or dissolve the plague in Peyronie’s patients.”
Stem cells
Stem cells can be used in a similar way, but use is limited in Europe.
Therapy can allegedly increase penis length, girth, sensation and rigidity.
Traction device
Another option is long-term use of a penile traction device, but results here are more unpredictable, Dr Djakovic said.
The contraption is worn for a set amount of time each day to help stretch the penis or straighten it out.
Penis pump
Also known as vacuum erection devices, penis pumps help increase blood flow to your penis to help men achieve or maintain an erection.
Research shows they can help ED patients in up to 90 per cent of cases, they cannot permanently lengthen penises.
Adam Sensor
In the same way a FitBit tracks your steps, the Adam Sensor monitors your night-time erections.
This can be useful for ED sufferers as scientists have found every man has on average three erections while they sleep if their erectile mechanism works – even if they have psychogenic ED.
If a man doesn’t have this many erections, it might be a sign of cardiovascular problems or other diseases.
It is popular with biohackers like Bryan Johnson.
And if that wasn’t enough, men can also try:
Scrotoplasty (removing excess scrotal skin)
Supra-pubic liposuction or fat pad excision (to help with buried penis syndrome)
Penis stretching
Shockwave therapy
Circumcision
Psychosexual counselling (to alleviate penis size anxiety)
Don’t try DIY methods
Certain medications used to treat ED may help blood flow to your penis and make it appear bigger and harder.
They won’t, however, actually make it permanently bigger and should not be taken for this reason, experts warn.
So-called lengthening lotions, a stretching technique called jelqing, self-injectables, pills such as ginseng and yohimbine, and oils and herbs for the penis should also be avoided, Healthline and Insider add.