Do penis enlargement pills work?

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That’s certainly the case with penis enlargement pills, like the kind you might see at gas stations with labels promising “male enhancement.” It’s pretty common for people to wonder, “Do penis enlargement pills work?” After all, wouldn’t it be nice to just buy a pill or supplement on Amazon and instantly boost your sex life, no awkward doctor’s visit or insurance copay needed? 

Sadly, penis enlargement medicine is pretty much snake oil. There is no medication that can actually increase the size of your penis. These medications are not only ineffective, they can be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions. 

If you’re worried about being big enough, the good news is that we can almost guarantee that this particular concern is in your head. A 2015 study of more than 15,000 men found that the average length of an erect penis is 5.16 inches (13.12 cm). The average girth (circumference) is 3.66 inches (9.31 cm). However, porn and pop culture have conspired to fluff up the numbers, doing a real number on the psyches of people with penises in the process. 

Keep reading for the research- and expert-backed answers on penis enlargement pills, side effects, and safer alternatives. 

Penis enlargement pills (or penis growth pills) are supplements that claim to make your penis bigger. They're sold under a variety of brand names online and in stores promising "male enhancement," “sexual enhancement,”  or (less delicately) penis enlargement. 

These penis enlargement pills are usually composed of a motley brew of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and supplements. While there is some scientific evidence that certain supplements may support healthier erections, there's no scientific evidence to support claims that any pill can increase the size of your penis. Some supplements that may support healthier erections include:

• Ginseng

• Horny goat weed

• DHEA (though it has mixed evidence)

• Citrulline and arginine

• Yohimbe (though it has significant side effects)

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin B3

• Folic acid

Vitamins, supplements, and “penis enlargement pills” are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so there’s no way to ensure that the pills you’re taking actually contain what is advertised or in what amount. Before taking any vitamin or supplement, consult your healthcare provider. 

Unfortunately, according to Seth Cohen, MD, MPH, urologist at NYU Langone Health, "there are no supplements out there that are going to grow the size of your penis."

Here's why penis enlargement pills won’t work. The penis contains two tubes of spongy tissue called the corpora cavernosa. During an erection, this tissue fills with blood and stiffens. After an erection (whether or not orgasm is achieved), this tissue reverts to its previous size and appearance. The amount and density of spongy tissue in your penis is firmly set post-puberty. That's what determines the size of your penis—flaccid or erect—and there's nothing a pill can do to change that.

Some alleged penis enlargement pills contain ingredients that may help you get an erection faster or achieve a firmer erection. This can be dangerous, especially because some pills may contain active ingredients in unknown amounts that should only be available as prescription medications. Furthermore, there is no clinical evidence that any supplement, herb, or vitamin can permanently enlarge the corpus cavernosum. Therefore, they aren’t going to actually make your penis bigger and may potentially be dangerous.

As of now, surgery is the only way to permanently enlarge your penis. However, tools like penis pumps, cock rings, and more can help you achieve a firmer, longer lasting erection (more on this later).

However male enhancement pill manufacturers claim to work, they are not required to prove those claims, or that they’re effective or even safe. Penis enlargement pill manufacturers make a number of claims as to how their products increase penis size. For example, they may claim their product:

• Improves sexual function. Some penis enlargement pills contain Ginkgo biloba, prepared with leaves from the Ginkgo tree. However, research shows the supplement is unlikely to significantly improve sexual function.

• Increases testosterone. There is some evidence from animal models that supplements like horny goat weed may increase testosterone production by stimulating testosterone-producing cells. However, there have not been any sizable studies on how horny goat weed or icariin (the active ingredient in horny goat weed) may impact erectile function in humans.

• Increases the amount of semen released during ejaculation. ”There is no FDA-approved pill that can increase your ejaculate volume," Dr. Cohen previously explained to Ro. "If a patient came to me and said they wanted to take a supplement to try it, I would say, go ahead. But if they said, 'Show me a robust, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that shows ashwagandha increases semen volume,' I would say it doesn't exist." 

Unlike FDA-approved erectile dysfunction (ED) medications like Viagra, vardenafil, Cialis, and Stendra, so-called penis enhancement pills do not undergo rigorous study and clinical trials. 

In 2020, the FDA released a warning to consumers warning them against over 50 male enhancement pills sold on eBay and Amazon. These pills were found to contain harmful ingredients, including the active ingredient in Viagra (sildenafil) which can cause serious side effects if not properly prescribed by a healthcare provider. The FDA also has a webpage on tainted sexual enhancement products that’s regularly updated with specific products that contain hidden ingredients. As of the most recent update in February 2025, there are more than 400 products listed, which the FDA notes is only a “small fraction of the potentially dangerous products.”

Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, supplements aren't regulated by the FDA. So you can't be absolutely sure what's in them or that the ingredients are pure. 

Some "male enhancement" pills may contain traces of PDE5 inhibitors (medications like Viagra and Cialis). While that may sound like a good thing for your sexual prowess, it can be extremely dangerous. If these pills contain too much of these substances or if you have a health condition that precludes you from taking PDE5 inhibitors, the consequences can be serious or fatal. Some of the side effects of taking PDE5 inhibitors include: 

• Body aches

• Upset stomach

• Headaches

• Low blood pressure, which can become fatal if it drops too much and is especially problematic if you already take medications to lower your blood pressure

• Chest pain

• Visual problems, that can be permanent in some rare cases

A case study published in 2017 found that one patient who reported using over-the-counter erectile dysfunction pills for 10 years ended up developing serious neurological symptoms.  Research updated in 2020 finds that yohimbe, an herb which is often included in supplements marketed to treat ED, has been associated with heart attacks, seizures, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure. 

Another ingredient commonly found in penis enlargement pills is ginseng. While this herb is on the list above of supplements with at least some scientific backing for ED, caution is warranted. Research and individualized reports have found that ginseng can cause sleep disturbances, mania or psychiatric symptoms, and changes in blood pressure or blood sugar. Researchers also found that it can interact with medications including antidepressants, diabetes medications, and HIV medications, potentially strengthening or weakening their effects. 

Ginkgo, another herb frequently found in over-the-counter penis enlargement pills, can increase the risk of bleeding in people who are taking anticoagulant drugs. It can also cause dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, and headaches, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. 

You might think, “I’m fine, my pills don’t have any of these ingredients on the label.” However, given that these products are unregulated, there’s actually no way to know if the supplements you’re taking contain any ingredients that may be harmful, and what we’ve listed here is an incomplete list of potentially harmful ingredients. 

While penis enlargement pills won’t do the trick, there are some options that could make your penis temporarily larger and firmer, though they are not without risks and may not be appropriate for everyone. Remember, if you are concerned with the size of your penis and want to explore your options, speaking to a healthcare provider can help. 

Traction devices

Penile extenders are traction devices that you strap to your flaccid penis and wear for an extended period (usually several hours a day). This may result in an increase in the length of the penis, although it could take months to see results. Any increase in the size of your penis with a traction device will likely be in length only, not in girth. Be careful with how you use these devices, as they require training to ensure you are using them safely.

One device in particular was developed to treat a condition called Peyronie’s disease, which causes scarring and sometimes bending and pain in the penis. The device, known as RestoreX, is a medical device registered with the FDA that has been shown in clinical trials to straighten bent penises. If you don’t have a bend in your penis that a healthcare provider believes is consistent with Peyronie’s disease, it probably won’t be of much use.

Vacuum pumps

Penis pumps (vacuum devices that encourage blood flow into the penis) may help you get an erection—they're sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction—but they are unlikely to permanently make your penis bigger. 

In one small study, 37 men used penis pumps for 20 minutes, three times a week, over the course of six months. Researchers found that the participants' average penis length increased by only 0.3 cm but couldn’t say for sure that the increase was the result of the device they were testing. The treatment was only 10% effective, and only 30% of the patients said they were satisfied. Side effects included temporary numbness and bruising.

Cock rings

Cock rings sit at the base of the penis and hold blood in during an erection. This can make an erection firmer and longer lasting. Cock rings may work well in tandem with penis pumps to maintain an erection, however, they will not permanently increase the size of your penis. Be careful not to use them for too long (more than 30 minutes), as prolonged use can lead to tissue damage in the penis. 

Penis enlargement surgery

Surgeons offer a variety of surgical procedures to enlarge the penis, from injecting the penis with fat or fillers to cutting the suspensory ligament, which runs from your lower abdomen to your penis, causing the penis hang lower and seem longer. Surgeons can even insert a flexible or inflatable implant. 

These procedures are expensive and potentially dangerous. One 2019 study found surgery or penile augmentation to be ineffective and carry a high risk of unwanted side effects. Furthermore, participants who underwent counseling regarding their penile size ultimately did not want to pursue further intervention because the counseling helped address their concerns. 

Lifestyle changes 

There’s no  food, exercise, or therapy that will make your penis bigger. But eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting enough sleep are all associated with better erectile function. 

Medications

There is no medication that can permanently make your penis bigger. That said, if your primary concern is your erectile function rather than a specific size, talk to a healthcare provider about medication options. Some ED medication options available through Ro if deemed medically appropriate for you include: 

• Viagra, which is the branded version of sildenafil (also available as a generic prescription)

• Cialis, which is the branded version of tadalafil (also available as a generic prescription) 

• Ro Sparks, a dissolvable tablet that contains sildenafil and tadalafil, the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis

• Ro’s Daily Rise Gummies, a daily prescription gummy with tadalafil that allow you to be ready for sex whenever

The penis enlargement industry exists because insecurity about size is age-old, and modern porn does nothing to help people with penises establish a realistic, accepting attitude towards their penises and sex. 

In some cases, people are so concerned about their perceived inadequate size that they develop what psychologists call "small penis anxiety" or "penis dysmorphic disorder" (PDD)—the irrational belief that you can't measure up.

You may be surprised to learn that the average penis is 5.16 inches erect; the same scientific study found that  90% of people with penises have a penis between 4–6 inches in length. That means your fears about your own size may likely be unfounded. However, if you’re still interested in making your penis appear larger, these tips may help you become more comfortable with the look of your penis without the use of medical tools or unverified pills. 

Trim your pubic hair

Cutting your pubic hair closer to the base of the penis may increase the appearance of the length. According to one survey study on over 4,000 men, one in five men reported grooming their pubic hair to make their penis look longer. While this wouldn’t actually make your penis larger, it might give the illusion of a longer penis. Use a body hair groomer that includes guards or attachments for consistency and to reduce cuts in this sensitive region. 

Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise

If you carry excess fat in the pubic region, fat that hangs over the base of the penis may decrease the appearance of length. There’s a term for this: “buried penis.” It generally refers to a normal-sized penis that appears short or is hidden from view by skin or fat. 

According to a 2021 study, excess fat tissue can envelop the penile shaft and make it look smaller than it is. This can be treated with surgery, and some research suggests that postoperative weight loss in patients with obesity can also be beneficial in treating this condition.  

Additionally, eating a balanced diet of nutrient-dense foods like lean proteins and fresh produce can help lower risk factors for ED, meaning your erectile function could be improved. Additionally, regular exercise improves erections by boosting cardiovascular health and nitric oxide production, which enables blood flow during an erection. While eating healthy and exercising won’t increase your penile size, these habits can have a positive impact on erectile function, helping you have a more satisfying sex life. 

Unlearn harmful stereotypes about penis size

From television shows to porn, we are constantly inundated with the message that our bodies aren’t good enough. It’s no wonder that people with perfectly average, healthy penises are concerned they don’t reach nine-plus inches when erect. 

In a survey of over 50,000 heterosexual men and women, 85% of women said they were satisfied with their partner’s penis size, while only 55% of men were satisfied with the size of their penis. If you have concerns about your penis size, have a vulnerable conversation with your partner(s). You’ll likely find that when communication and respect are present in your sex life, you have nothing to worry about. 

If negative feelings about your body continue to hold you back in the bedroom, you could have body dysmorphia. It's a good idea to check in with a mental health professional who can help you work on your confidence in the bedroom. If you experience erectile dysfunction, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to explore (legitimate) options to improve your sex life. 

Penis enlargement pills will not make your penis bigger, despite what the marketing says. There is no medication—prescription or over-the-counter—that can permanently increase the size of your penis.  

• Penis enlargement pills are unregulated, meaning they can contain potentially harmful ingredients. These ingredients aren’t always disclosed by the manufacturer. Certain herbs or medications can interact with other medications in a dangerous way, or have worrying side effects. The health complications can be serious, so it’s best to avoid these supplements.

• There are other ways to lengthen your penis and improve erectile function. Surgery, penile extenders, vacuum pumps, and ED medications are just a few of the options available for people who want to change their erections. These methods have varying risks and benefits, so discuss with your healthcare provider if you would like to know more.

• You probably don’t need to worry about your penis size. Porn and pop culture can have a powerful influence over how we see ourselves. But the science has spoken: Most penises are between 4–6 inches, and an overwhelming majority of women (around 85%) are satisfied with their partner’s penis size.