If you’re looking for the real way to increase your size, you’re not alone. Some of the most frequently searched for articles by men are about methods to increase the size of their penis.  Fortunately, there are ways to do this safely and effectively. Although there are definitely unsafe and ineffective gimmicks, there are a few techniques that actually work. ​ Understanding the Basics of Male Enhancement and Penis Enlargement The pursuit of male enhancement has a long history of gimmicks interspersed with the occasional effective option.  Although there are many options available, only a few of them actually can increase your size.  One of the best ways to ensure that you are considering a safe an effective option is to ensure that you are researching information recommended and vetted by real medical professionals. ​ While genetics most definitely play a substantial role in determining your size, advances in medicine over the years have made it more and more possible to increase your size while maintaining a natural appearance.  Whether you would like an increase in girth, length or function, it is important to understand what is and isn’t possible and which medical professionals to consult with before making a decision. ​ Exposing Myths and Misleading Claims about Increasing Your Size Most men have come across advertisement for penis enlargement pills, penis pumps, creams for penile enlargement etc.  All of these are completely ineffective and potentially dangerous.  While some of them may temporarily increase blood flow and cause a temporary increase in penis size, they do not offer a long term solution and have the potential to cause serious harm. ​ The most commonly marketed non-surgical methods include: Supplements and Pills: All of these are ineffective and have the potential to be dangerous.  There is no plausible scientific technique for enlarging the penis with pills.  Some of these will do nothing, and some will be dangerous due to unknown variants of vasodilatory compounds.  They are not FDA approved, and have no possibility of actually increasing penis size. Vacuum Pumps: While vacuum pumps can temporarily increase blood flow, making the penis appear larger, the effect is temporary. Pumps are primarily used as a treatment for erectile dysfunction and again have no plausible mechanism for causing a permanent size increase. Extenders and Stretchers: Extenders can actually result in a slight increase in flaccid and erect length and are in fact the only way to increase erect length.  They work by tissue expansion and remodeling.  They typically require months to years of use however and are limited to gains of 3/4 of an inch or so. Topical Creams and Oils: These do not work.  At best they cause a warming or tingling sensation which may aid the ability to get an erection. PRP injections – Platelet rich plasma is often touted as a cure-all technique for various ailments. Unfortunately though, as with the other penis enlargement methods on this list, PRP is ineffective at enlarging the penis.  At best, PRP enlarges the penis due to temporary swelling and retaining of the injected plasma however eventually the size will return to normal. Combination Programs: With the increasing interest in penis enlargement options, medical doctors have started offering programs that offer combinations of pumps, pills and PRP injections disguised as effective penis enlargement procedures.  Regardless of how the pumps, pills and PRP injections are used however, they are generally ineffective. Each of these methods has fairly substantial limitations, and none offer the lasting impact that most men are looking for. ​ Medical Procedures: The Real Way to Increase Your Size When it comes to methods to actually increase your penis size to a substantial degree and in a timely fashion, the only options are procedural or surgical.  The options below do actually work, but have important differences including cost, potential for side effects/complications and recovery periods. ​ 1. Dermal Fillers and Injections for Girth Enhancement For those looking to increase the size of their penis quickly and safely, dermal fillers are one of the best options.  Girth enhancement with dermal fillers is considered a minimally invasive penile enlargement procedure rather than a penis enlargement surgery.  The difference lies in the fact the this type of procedure does not involve cutting, stitches, general anesthesia or a prolonged recovery period. Advantages of this option relate to the safety, efficacy, timely results and minimal down time.  Results uniformly show an increase in girth, often with no limitation beyond the volume of filler purchased, and a small increase in flaccid length.  Increasing erect penis length is impossible with any medical procedure, surgery or pill.  Results typically last 18-30 months. The safest option for dermal filler girth enlargement are hyaluronic acid fillers.  While these may seem less than ideal due to the 18-30 month duration, the duration is in fact what makes them the safest and most natural appearing.  All fillers when injected in the face, penis, skin, etc, have the rare chance of migrating or causing imperfections.  Hyaluronic acid fillers are ideal here because they can easily be spot dissolved or corrected.  So called “permanent penis filler” procedures such as PMMA or silicone are in fact not permanent and have the added risk of requiring surgical removal in the event of imperfections. ​ 2. Surgical Options for Length and Girth Surgical enlargement remains one of the possible way to increase your size.  Surgical options vary, but the two most common procedures include: Flaccid Penile Lengthening Surgery: This procedure involves releasing the suspensory ligament that attaches the penis to the pelvic bone. While this can add the perception of length, the results are usually temporary and long term result in the penis length shortening.  The reason for this is that the ligament scars and tries to reattach over time and one it does so, it ends up in a retracted penis.  The other issue with this procedure is that the suspensory ligament of the penis has a physiologic purpose: it is intended to make the penis point straight or slightly upright when you have an erection.  After cutting of the suspensory ligament of the penis, the penis will point downwards at all times (like a flaccid penis.) Lastly, recovery can take several weeks, and there are quite lengthy and elaborate post-operative instructions which must be followed closely to prevent complications. Girth Enhancement Surgery: Within the surgical options for girth enhancement, either silicone sleeves can be inserted, biologic mesh inserted or fat transfer from other parts of the body. Fat transfer is probably the simplest among the surgical options however it has a substantial issue: it is quite literally putting fat in the penis.  The penis feels like it has fat or cellulite on it.  Furthermore, it is not permanent as the body can and does breakdown fat over time. Silicone or biologic mesh sleeves.  These are major surgeries that require de-gloving the penis (cutting and peeling back all of the skin on the penis).  As a result of cutting and de-gloving the penis, there is a chance of getting permanent scar tissue and adhesion formation as well as sensory changes or loss of sensation resulting in erectile dysfunction.  They also tend to not look natural as you can typically see an actual inserted device in the penis.  Lastly, they can cause a “turtling” effect where the implant does not shrink when the penis naturally shrinks thereby causing the head to retract into the remaining penis. Though both of these procedures can be effective a degree, they come with substantial risk and  are best suited for men who have realistic expectations and are willing to commit to the necessary recovery4. Recovery takes anywhere from weeks to months and there are instances where the surgeries need to be repeated or the implants removed due to complications.  As with any surgery, it’s crucial to work with a qualified, experienced surgeon to minimize risks and ensure a safe, successful outcome. ​ 3. Neuromodulator Injections to decrease penile retraction One of the newer techniques for increasing penis size is intracavernosal injectable neurotoxin therapy using medications such as botulinum toxin.  While botulinum toxin is typically used to temporarily decrease wrinkles in the face due to its neurotoxin effect, it is thought that it may have a similar effect on cavernosal smooth muscle when used in the penis.  By limiting the ability of cavernosal smooth muscle to contract, the penis finds itself in a slightly more erect state most of the time thereby having the effect of less “shrinkage” and becoming a “shower” rather than a “grower.”  An added benefit of this technique is the possibility of helping patients with ED.  Studies have shown patients have gained one cm of length as well as improving ability to get and maintain erection – even in those patients who are resistant to typical ED medications such as injected prostaglandins and phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors5. ​ Increasing Erect Penile Length True increasing of erect penile length is next to impossible and not a surgery that is offered in the United States.  In order to actually increase the length of the erect penis, several incapacitating and dangerous steps would need to be performed.  Think of it like trying to increase the length of an arm or a leg.  The only way to actually do this would be to cut the arm in half and then somehow find a way to add in extra bone, skin, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles etc.  This is the exact same issue that is encountered when discussing erect penile lengthening. If it was possible, which it isn’t, it would be so invasive and damaging that no one would do it. ​ Therefore, men that are seeking penile enhancement of any kind, are limited to girth increases and minimal flaccid length increases.  Unfortunately there are no real ways to increase your size beyond these. ​ Important Considerations Before Pursuing Size Enhancement Having said everything above, before deciding on a method to increase your penis size, it’s essential to consult with a doctor who specializes in penile enlargement in order to go over your options. These consultations are an opportunity to discuss expectations, understand potential risks, and make an informed decision. ​ Conclusion: Choose the Right Path for You The real way to increase your size depends on personal goals, commitment, and having a realistic understanding of the options. Non-surgical methods like fillers offer quick and safe results, while surgical procedures are fraught with risk, prolonged recovery and unnatural appearance.  Ultimately however, consulting a doctor is the best step you can take to explore your options safely. References: Epifanova, M. V., Gvasalia, B. R., Durashov, M. A., & Artemenko, S. A. (2020). Platelet-rich plasma therapy for male sexual dysfunction: Myth or reality? Sexual Medicine Reviews, 8(1), 106–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.02.002 Manka, M., Savage, J., Yang, D., Wymer, K., & Trost, L. (2020). MP45-19: Use of RestoreX penile traction therapy for treatment of penile length loss in diabetic men. The Journal of Urology, 203(e671–e672). https://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000000900.019 Zucchi, A., Scroppo, F. I., Capogrosso, P., Salonia, A., Durante, J., Bini, V., Liguori, G., & Bartoletti, R. (2021). Clinical use of hyaluronic acid in andrology: A review. Andrology. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13083 Vardi, Y., Harshai, Y., Gil, T., & Gruenwald, I. (2008). A critical analysis of penile enhancement procedures for patients with normal penile size: Surgical techniques, success, and complications. European Urology, 54(5), 1042–1050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2008.06.117 Ghanem, H., Abdel Raheem, A., AbdelRahman, I. F. S., Johnson, M., & Abdel-Raheem, T. (2018). Botulinum neurotoxin and its potential role in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 6(1), 135–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.07.008