Penis growth hormone: does it work, and is it a good idea?
Reviewed by Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro,
Written by Gina Allegretti, MD
last updated: Jun 30, 2022
2 min read
Here's what we'll cover
Even if you’re satisfied with your penis size, the media and pop culture make it hard to avoid comparing yourself to others and wondering if there’s a way to boost what you’ve got. Ads for penis enlargement tools and pills are everywhere. You may have even come across ads mentioning a penis growth hormone. But does it actually work? The research doesn’t back it up.
What is penis growth hormone?
Penis growth hormone is a synthetic version of a chemical called growth hormone (human growth hormone, or hGH). It stands to reason that something called growth hormone should make things larger. And it’s true in general—this hormone is responsible for much of our growth during childhood, and it maintains bone and muscle mass in adults. People who don’t have enough natural hGH in their bodies are at risk for growth problems.
Because it stimulates growth, some people take synthetic hGH supplements to try to build muscle, increase stamina, and even increase penis size. But there isn’t much evidence that hGH works as a penis growth hormone.
hGH injections are useful for children and adolescents with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) or micropenis, a penis length that’s significantly below average (Levy, 1996; Laron, 1983). But if your growth hormone levels are normal, there’s no evidence that supplementation will increase penis size.
Do penis enlargement pills work?
Penis enlargement pills, or male enhancement pills, can easily be found online. Different brands contain different ingredients, such as growth hormone, herbs like horny goat weed and Ginkgo Biloba, and other vitamins and nutrients (Corazza, 2014).
But just because they’re widely available, that doesn’t mean they work. Supplements like penis enlargement pills are not regulated by organizations like the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and often don’t go through rigorous clinical trials like other medications. There’s no solid scientific evidence that these pills will enlarge your penis.
Side effects and risks of male enhancement pills
Since supplements are not well regulated, they’re prone to inconsistencies. For example, some may contain unlisted ingredients. Others don’t properly list the quantities of each ingredient. This increases the risk of side effects, especially if you take other medications. Some side effects reported include (Nishijima, 2019; Corazza, 2014):
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Diarrhea
Rashes
Headaches
Hallucinations
How to make your penis bigger
Even though many people are concerned about their penile length, there’s often no need to be. A large 2015 study found that the average length of an erect penis was between 5.1–5.2 cm—a far cry from what the manufacturers of penis enlargement gadgets would have you believe (Veale, 2015). Chances are, you’re within the normal range.
Plus, your penis grows the most during puberty and young adulthood, especially between 12 and 16 (Tomova, 2010). Once these changes have occurred, there’s not much you can do to increase your penis size.
There’s not much data about penile traction devices (penile extenders), devices worn for hours a day to stretch the penis. Some studies found that they may give you a small increase in penis length, but it can take up to three months to see results (Nikoobakht, 2011).
Penis enlargement surgery will increase the length of your penis. However, any surgical procedure is invasive and comes with a risk of side effects (Campbell, 2017).
Though many people want to increase their penis size, penis growth hormone likely isn’t the answer. If you’re unhappy with the size of your penis, it’s a good idea to discuss your concerns with a healthcare provider who can advise you on the right next steps for you.
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.
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How we reviewed this article
Current version
Gina Allegretti, MD
Yael Cooperman, MD
About the medical reviewer
