Content
Your sex life, your way
We need to talk about size. It’s normal to occasionally think about how your penis compares to others. Self-consciousness about size can lead some guys to explore penis enlargement pills.
Often marketed as the solution to every sex-related problem, many penis growth pills promise not just a larger member but also better sexual confidence and performance.
But do penis enlargement pills work?
Like herbal supplements promoted as sexual function boosters, pills that claim to give you a larger penis aren’t supported by scientific evidence.
Below, we’ll explain what penis enlargement pills are and why they’re probably not worth the money.
We’ll also share what you can do to actually improve your penis size and sexual self-confidence, from healthy habits to vacuum erection devices.
Content
Sometimes called penis growth pills, penis enlargement pills are exactly what they sound like. They’re pills that claim to make your penis bigger, whether by adding length or increasing girth.
Some of these pills make specific claims about how much your penis could grow with use. Others take a more general approach and simply claim to promote natural penis growth.
Penis growth pills are marketed using a range of theories and promises about their effects and potential benefits.
Common claims assert that these pills can:
Boost blood flow to erectile tissue
Increase testosterone levels
Improve sexual stamina
Physically increase penile size
Boost semen volume
Stimulate sex drive
Shorten the refractory period after sex (how long after orgasming before you can get another erection)
Make you more attractive to other people
Improve your sex life and make sexual activity more fulfilling
But there’s very little evidence that penis growth pills actually do any of these things.
We hate to break it to you, but penis growth pills don’t work. They’re not supported by any scientific evidence, and there isn’t any plausible way that they can give you a bigger penis.
The penis enlargement pills available in the United States aren’t medications. Instead, they tend to be supplements containing various herbal extracts, minerals, vitamins, and other fancy-sounding ingredients like horny goat weed, ginkgo biloba, I-arginine, and maca root.
These ingredients aren’t approved or regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same way medications are.
One thing to keep in mind when looking at penis enhancement pills is that because they’re sold as dietary supplements rather than medications, they don’t need to prove they’re safe or effective.
For example, medications for treating sexual performance issues, like sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®), have to go through several phases of large-scale clinical trials before they’re available to the public.
These trials test not only that the medication is safe but also that it’s effective for the specific condition it’s being approved to treat.
With penis growth pills, these requirements don’t exist. So manufacturers aren’t required to provide any real information about how their products work (or whether they’re effective).
This lack of testing and regulation means certain pills marketed as promoting a larger penis may contain ingredients that aren’t just ineffective but are also unsafe.
Over the years, the FDA has investigated numerous sexual enhancement pills, including some marketed as penis enlargement supplements. It found that they contained hidden ingredients that may be unsafe.
For instance, in 2021, the FDA published a news release warning consumers about male sexual enhancement products sold online through Amazon, eBay, and other popular marketplaces.
In this warning, the FDA noted that it had identified nearly 50 male enhancement products — including supplements for increasing penis size, enhancing sexual performance, and improving erectile function — containing hidden ingredients that could pose a health risk.
These ingredients are concerning because they can be included in excessive doses or produced in unsafe facilities. They could also be used secretly, meaning they could cause interactions with medications many people use.
The FDA maintains an online database of notifications about these products, some of which use hidden ingredients, such as the active ingredients in prescription PDE5 inhibitors, to produce improved erections.
One of the hidden ingredients in penis enlargement tablets is sildenafil, a common PDE5 inhibitor medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Sildenafil is generally safe and effective when used as prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. However, it can cause side effects and potentially severe interactions when used with certain other medications.
Common side effects of sildenafil include:
Headaches
Dyspepsia (indigestion)
Abnormal vision
Flushing
Back pain
Nasal congestion
Myalgia (muscle pain)
Dizziness
Rash
In addition to these side effects, sildenafil and similar medications that may be hidden in penis enlargement pills can potentially cause serious drug interactions when used with blood pressure medications like nitrates.
When sildenafil is used legally with a prescription, these side effects are still a risk. But you have the opportunity to discuss them with your healthcare provider and choose the right dose for your needs.
When it comes to unlicensed, underregulated penis enlargement pills, there’s no way to know what dosage of these hidden ingredients you’re getting.
That’s why we recommend avoiding any unapproved, under-regulated supplements that claim to enhance your penis size or promote better sexual performance.
We also strongly suggest following the FDA’s advice and throwing away any gas station sex pills or other male enhancement supplements if you already have some in your home.
If you’re concerned about your penis size, it’s better to talk to your healthcare provider about your options, including some of the other treatment options we’ll touch on below.
While penis pills might look appealing, the cold, hard truth is that there’s no evidence that they do anything for penis size. The even tougher truth is that outside of surgery, which has its own set of disadvantages, there isn’t that much you can do to make your penis larger.
Pharmaceutical companies have yet to produce any form of penis enlargement medicine, and there’s no evidence that any type of lotion or cream has any real size-increasing effects.
In other words, when it comes to how to make your penis larger, there aren’t any good options — at least in terms of supplements or over-the-counter medications.
That said, there are several things you can do to increase the perceived size of your penis and boost your sexual self-confidence. These range from lifestyle changes to medications that help you maintain firmer, more consistent erections.
Good options for improving your perceived penis size and sexual function include:
Losing excess weight
Talking to your partner
Considering trying ED medication
Wearing a penis sleeve
Talking to a healthcare professional
Keep scrolling for specific tips and guidance.
If you have overweight or obesity, extra fat around your midsection could make your penis look smaller than it actually is. Research has found that a higher body mass index, or BMI, is associated with a reduced penis length — this is, the visible length.
Try to eat healthy, exercise, and maintain a BMI in the healthy range for better well-being and sexual health.
You may notice that as your waist shrinks, your penis appears larger in relation to your upper body and legs. You can also explore weight loss medication if you need more support.
If you’re worried about how your partner views your penis, talk to them about it! It may feel uncomfortable to get this conversation started, but you’ll likely feel better getting it out in the open.
You may find that your partner is totally satisfied with your penis size and doesn’t need, or even want, you to make an effort to make your penis larger.
Medications such as sildenafil, tadalafil (Cialis®), and chewable ED meds won’t actually make your penis physically bigger. But they can help you get and maintain an erect penis more easily during sex.
ED treatment can be helpful if you find it difficult to stay completely hard during sex and feel like your penis isn’t quite as firm as it could be.
"I liked that the mints were discrete and not in a prescription bottle. I also liked that I didn’t have to physically go to an appointment."
"My erections are strong, and I love the look, girth, and feel of my penis again. But the best is that my sexual stamina makes me feel like I’m in my mid-twenties again."
- Angelo, 43
Incentivized Review
A penis sleeve, or penis extender, is a support device you can wear on your penis during sex to enhance sensation and pleasure — both for you and for your sexual partner.
Using a penis sleeve can make your penis look and feel bigger during sex, which could be helpful if you’re worried about your partner’s sexual experience.
If you still have concerns about your penis, let your healthcare provider know. They can advise you on options and help you make the most effective decision for your sexual health and performance.
You might also want to consider talking to a therapist. If worries about your penis size are beginning to affect your self-confidence and mental well-being, meeting with a sex therapist or mental health provider to chat about how you’re feeling could help.
So, you’re still not convinced. There are some alternative interventions to consider, but be warned: Most of these options come with significant downsides and might not be worth the risk for a small and often negligible increase in penis size.
These options include:
Traction devices for penile enlargement
Penis enlargement surgery
Vacuum pumps
We’ll discuss these treatment options in more detail below, including how each treatment works and the potential benefits it might offer for your penis size.
Penile traction therapy devices, or traction devices, are physical devices worn on the penis. These penile extenders claim to work by straightening your penis — an effect that may help with Peyronie’s disease — and stretching the tissue to increase its length.
As far as scientific evidence, some research shows that traction devices may work for increasing the length of the penis, albeit at a cost.
A small study involving 15 men looked at a specific penile traction device named the Andro-Penis®.
It found that the device could add 0.9 inches to flaccid penis length after six months of daily use. The men wore the device at least four hours a day, adding up to at least 720 hours of wear over six months.
That’s a long time to spend with your penis in an uncomfortable-looking device, all for a modest increase in length!
The study didn’t find any increase in penile girth, and participants weren’t followed for the long term to check if their results were long-lasting.
A different penile traction device called RestorX® was tested in a six-month clinical trial with 110 men. The men who took part in the study all had Peyronie’s disease — a health condition involving plaque buildup in penile tissue, causing a curved penis shape.
After six months, the men who used the RestorX® device showed an average increase in penis length of 0.79 to 0.87 inches. They also saw improvements in penile curvature and reported higher scores on a survey of erectile function and Peyronie’s disease symptoms.
While this study is certainly promising, it’s important to remember that the results may differ in men without Peyronie’s disease.
Another option for men seeking a larger penis — albeit one that’s more invasive and higher risk — is penis enlargement surgery (or penile augmentation).
One type of surgical procedure involves cutting the suspensory ligament that attaches the penis to the pubic bone. By doing this, the penis hangs lower than before. Sometimes a fat graft from another part of the body is then placed onto the shaft of the penis.
We know what you’re thinking — ouch.
Research suggests that most men who seek this type of surgery have normal penis lengths but tend to perceive their penis size as below average. Many of these men decide not to go ahead with the procedure after learning about the potential risks and complications.
Vacuum pumps, or penis pumps, are devices used to pull blood into the penis. They may help treat erectile dysfunction for men who don’t respond to ED medications, like sildenafil or tadalafil.
Research on vacuum devices shows that they might produce a small increase in penis size over the course of six months. However, the increase is small (just over one-tenth of an inch) and not significant enough for most guys. Plus, maintaining it requires a commitment of 20 minutes almost every other day.
In other words, it’s a fair amount of daily work for a potential increase in penis size that’s small — if there’s an increase at all.
Our guide to vacuum erection devices goes into more detail about how these products work, along with their potential benefits for erectile health and sexual function.
At first glance, penis enlargement pills can look like a modern miracle. They claim to enlarge your penis, boost stamina, and even make erections harder. And they’re available from your local gas station at any time of day, all without the need for a prescription.
If this seems too good to be true, that’s because it is. Penis enlargement pills don’t really work, and there are several reasons to avoid them:
First, we don’t know what’s in them. Since these products aren’t FDA-approved or regulated like medications are, they aren’t subject to the same checks as prescription drugs, which need to pass clinical trials showing they’re safe and effective.
Second, they could contain hidden ingredients, including prescription drugs. This can be a serious safety issue, especially if you currently use prescription medications that have the potential to cause drug interactions.
Third, even the “natural” ingredients inside can be harmful. Natural doesn’t always mean safe. And many herbal ingredients in penis enlargement pills have the potential to cause side effects if used too frequently or taken in excessive doses.
If you’re concerned about your sexual performance, you’ll get far better results by talking with a healthcare provider than by relying on sketchy pills sold on eBay or at your local gas station.
We offer access to a range of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation (PE) medications online, following a consultation with a healthcare provider.
You can learn more about your options for improving your sexual performance and feeling better about yourself in bed by taking part in an online ED consultation.
You can also find out more about what’s actually average (as well as what most women prefer) in our guides to average penis size and the penis size women report preferring the most.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.
She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.
Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.
Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.
Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.
Education & Training
Andrology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin
Urology Residency, University of California San Francisco
M.D. Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineB.S. in Radiologic Science, Chemistry Minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Published as Kelly Walker
Cowan, B, Walker, K., Rodgers, K., Agyemang, J. (2023). Hormonal Management Improves Semen Analysis Parameters in Men with Abnormal Concentration, Motility, and/or Morphology. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 118, Issue 5, e4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/fertility-and-sterility/vol/120/issue/1/suppl/S
Walker, K., Gogoj, A., Honig, S., Sandlow, J. (2021). What’s New in Male Contraception? AUA Update Series, Volume 40. https://auau.auanet.org/content/update-series-2021-lesson-27-what%E2%80%99s-new-male-contraception
Walker, K., Shindel, A. (2019). AUA Erectile Dysfunction Guideline. AUA Update Series, Volume 38. https://auau.auanet.org/content/course-307
Walker, K., Ramstein, J., & Smith, J. (2019). Regret Regarding Fertility Preservation Decisions Among Male Cancer Patients. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e680-e681. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556300.18991.8e
Walker, K., & Smith, J. (2019). Feasibility Study of Video Telehealth Clinic Visits in Urology. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e545-e545. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556071.60611.37