Does Viagra (sildenafil) make you bigger?

Reviewed by Chimene Richa, MD, 

Written by Michael Martin 

Reviewed by Chimene Richa, MD, 

Written by Michael Martin 

last updated: Sep 02, 2022

3 min read

Here's what we'll cover

Here's what we'll cover

Some people are eternal optimists. They believe that somewhere, something can permanently increase the size of their penis, and that solution is as easy as popping a pill. Unfortunately, if you’re wondering how to make your penis bigger, history is littered with promises of penis enlargement pills that have withered in the glare of scientific scrutiny. But what about Viagra, the time-tested, highly legitimate prescription erectile dysfunction (ED) medication? Does Viagra make your penis bigger?  

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Does Viagra (sildenafil) make you bigger?

Sildenafil (brand name Viagra, or affectionately nicknamed "the little blue pill") is a highly effective medication to treat erectile dysfunction. However, there is something it can't do. Viagra does not make your penis bigger. No pill does. It can help you get and maintain a firmer erection that lasts longer, though.

To put it another way, sildenafil and other ED medications make the most of what you've got. They won't magically endow you with more length or girth permanently.

Viagra Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

What is Viagra, and how does it work?

Sildenafil (brand name Viagra) is an oral ED medication part of a class known as PDE-5 inhibitors. These drugs dilate your blood vessels and increase blood flow to the penis. This increased blood flow helps you get and maintain an erection. 

However, Viagra will not work without sexual stimulation. You need to be aroused for the drug to be effective.

Penis enlargement pills

Do penis enlargement pills work? It's worth repeating: No pill can permanently enlarge your penis. Here's why.

The penis has two tubes of spongy tissue running down its sides called the corpus cavernosa and one surrounding the urethra known as the corpus spongiosum. When you're sexually aroused, these tubes fill with blood, producing an erection. The size of your corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, which determines the size of your erection, are set at puberty. After you orgasm or lose an erection, your penis returns to its previous size. No pill can increase your penis length or girth.

OC Does Viagra make you bigger? image 51f413ec-a35a-4895-ad1b-3cb642c17f30

Approach any supplement that claims to enlarge the penis with extreme caution. These unregulated substances, sometimes called "male enhancement pills," can be extremely dangerous. And they don't work. 

ExtenZe is one example of an herbal supplement marketed for "natural male enhancement" (promising penis enlargement and better sex). The product's website once claimed the supplement provided "bigger, harder, more frequent erections," increased sexual endurance, and "massively intense and electrifying orgasms." 

The company has been sued multiple times for making false claims. In 2018 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers not to use Extenze. The FDA's lab tests found that Extenze contained sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. That undeclared ingredient can dangerously interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, causing a serious or even fatal drop in blood pressure (FDA, 2018).

Here are ways to make your penis bigger and appear larger.

What is ED?

If you struggle to get an erection, your erections aren't as firm as you like, or you have a hard time keeping an erection, that's a different story. These experiences could be caused by a condition called erectile dysfunction (ED).

ED is when you can't get or keep an erection sufficient for satisfying sex. If this happens to you, know that you're not alone. ED is an extremely common sexual dysfunction. By age 40, approximately 40% of men have experienced ED at least once, increasing by 10% for each successive decade of life (Ferrini, 2017). 

You don't have to suffer in silence. Many effective treatments are available, including medication like Viagra and tools like cock rings and pumps

Treatment for erectile dysfunction

Oral medications for ED are highly effective. In addition to sildenafil (brand name Viagra), there is tadalafil (brand name Cialis) and vardenafil (brand names Levitra and Staxyn).

Non-oral medications for ED include alprostadil, BiMix, and TriMix, which are injected into the penis, causing an erection.

Tools like penis pumps and cock rings can also help you get and maintain an erection. Penis pumps work by pulling blood into the penis. Cock rings sit around the base of the penis to keep the blood inside and maintain the erection longer.

Speak with your healthcare provider if you're experiencing ED. They will work with you to find a safe, effective solution that works with your lifestyle. As for the size of your penis—be proud of what you’ve got! You probably have a perfectly normal penis size, and a satisfying sex life is possible for anyone with the right tools and communication.

Cialis Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.


How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

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Current version

September 02, 2022

Written by

Michael Martin

Fact checked by

Chimene Richa, MD


About the medical reviewer

Dr. Richa is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and medical writer for Ro.