Herbs

Many males are concerned with there penis. There are countless magazine advertisements, commercials on television, and Internet specials that advertise various ways of enlarging a male's penis. These methods include surgery, drugs, supplements, pumps, exercises and herbs. It is difficult to find solid scientific data concerning the validity of these claims, and the possible side effects. This is partly because much of the science is so recent that long-term studies have not yet produced clear results. The companies that are selling these products also hire many of the scientists who are publishing these very results, causing significant bias.

The authoritative source on the subject of penis enlargement is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has not approved any method of penis enlargement. Some websites attempt to avoid this fact by advertising their products as "FDA approved," when in fact they are only FDA approved for other applications. For example, there are pumps on the market that are FDA approved for the treatment of impotence but not penis enlargement (as advertised). Some websites use ambiguous wording to trick consumers into buying a product for the wrong reasons, such as, "We offer an FDA-approved product to assist with impotence and the user may gain up to 3 inches or more!" Websites offering pills and creams tend to not address the FDA-approval issue, which should be evidence enough that they are not FDA approved and are, in fact, invalid products.

Treatment

Exercises that are supposed to naturally enlarge the penis, called "jelqing," are also not approved but have shown some promising results if performed correctly. Companies that offer training programs in these exercises often equate penis exercise to bodybuilding. They claim that since exercise can increase muscle size, why shouldn't it increase penis size as well? This comparison is not valid, however, because the penis is not a muscle (for more information, please see our overview of the male reproductive system). However, this method holds more promise than either pills or pumps. It is possible that the exercise techniques increase the capacity of the corpora cavernosa to allow more blood engorgement in the penis, which could result in a stronger, firmer erection. Although the penis itself does not really increase in size, a stronger erection might accomplish the same thing. These results have not been scientifically proven after many years of research, but there is some evidence, based on a few studies and testimonials, that this method might be effective in penis enlargement. Another important question is the permanence of the results. It is possible that the exercises simply cause a temporary increase in the amount of blood in the penis during the exercises, which customers can misinterpret as a permanently larger penis.

The only method of penile enlargement that is widely considered effective in the medical community is penile enlargement surgery. Penile enlargement surgery mostly just adds length and girth to the flaccid penis, which is, of course, not very useful while engaging in sexual intercourse. The corresponding increase in size to the erect penis is either not as dramatic or nonexistent, depending on whom you ask. In addition, the possible side effects are serious enough to make surgery too risky for any male, except for those with an exceptionally small penis. Many doctors who offer this service will not perform the surgery unless a male's penis is so small that it can be considered a medical condition.

Harmful side effects of the penis enlargement surgery include disfigurement of the penis, nerve damage, and loss of ability to achieve erection. This is the case for the type of penile enhancement surgery that involves cutting the connective tissue that anchors the penis to the pubic bone. Another type of surgery injects fat from other parts of the body (such as the buttocks or abdomen) into the penis. While this surgery is much simpler and safer, the results are generally temporary since the body gradually reabsorbs the fat.

The possible negative effects of non-surgical enlargement options are much less clear. There are reports of exercises that were done improperly, resulting in injuries to the penis. Pumps have also been reported to cause injuries when used incorrectly. Natural pills and creams have not been known to cause serious damage, but it is too soon to say for sure that they are safe to use. Also, some of the ingredients in these products have been known to increase blood pressure.

Penis enlargement is a budding industry, so it is difficult to determine the actual results and possible side effects at this point in time. For now, it is probably wise to remain skeptical of claimed results and wary of the possible unknown side effects.