ADMIT it, you've been in the changing room with the lads and you've wondered whether or not you 'size' up to the competition.
It's a common feeling, with many men taking to the internet to find out if and how they can extend the size of their penis.
But let's face it, some of these options might include surgery, and the thought of putting your soldier under the knife can be a scary one.
Data from Google Trends has revealed that in the last 12 months (2021-2022), searches for "penis enlargement" have gone up by over 100 per cent, while people searching for penis enlargement pills in the UK has also gone up by 44 per cent.
But what if we told you there was a way to make your member look bigger without the pain (or rather, fear) of surgery down there.
According to the NHS, there is.
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It's a simple three-step plan that every guy can follow.
"Many men who worry about the size of their penis generally have overall body image issues," Professor Kevan Wylie, a sexual medicine consultant, said.
"What happens is that they tend to focus their poor body image on their penis.
"Often, counselling can make a real difference to the patient by building self-esteem, correcting distorted views about body image and learning more about what makes people attractive."
Here's what you can do in the meantime to increase your size…
- Trim your pubes – you've heard the saying "mow the lawn to make the tree look bigger", well that's exactly what trimming your pubic hair will do.
- Banish the beer belly – losing weight is a great way to make your todger look bigger. It's not going to look as impressive if you have a beer belly hanging over it.
- Get fit – not only will getting fit make you look better, but you'll also feel better. It goes without saying that if you're feeling sexy your love life will also benefit.
OK, so these won't actually make your penis physically bigger – it will just make it appear bigger.
If you really want to add extra inches down there you should speak to a GP about the options available.
It's also a good idea to speak to a counsellor about how you are feeling – often worries about penis size stem from deeper underlying self-esteem issues.
The average penis size in the UK is between 3.5-5.8 inches, so if you're around this size you've really nothing to worry about.
Experts at Chemist Click said penis size can't be explained.
"While there has been some significant scientific research attributed to the reasonings behind penis size variations, the truth of the matter is that – much the way our individual heights vary – the length and girth of our sexual reproductive organs is a mystery, encoded largely in genetics and biology."
Everything you need to know about the health of your penis
How does Viagra work and how long does it last?
Why is the penis mushroom shaped?
When does the penis stop growing?
What is the average penis size in the UK?
Where in the world do men have the biggest penis?
Can cockroaches live in your penis?
What is a circumcised penis?
Can you break a man’s penis during sex?
What is a penis pump and how do you use one?
Does drinking apple juice grow your penis?
What causes itching around the penis?
If you still want to increase your size though, there are things you can look into.
1. Pills and lotions
There are a number of pills and lotions you can buy that contain hormones, that claim to make the penis larger.
But there is very little evidence to suggest these work and may even contain dangerous substances.
Prof Wylie told the NHS they're a "complete waste of time".
2. Penis pumps
Penis pumps are placed over the penis, then it pumps out the air to create a vacuum.
This draws blood into the penis and makes it swell.
Penis pumps are sometimes used as a short term fix for erectile dysfunction, because they make the penis hard.
But prolonged use can damage the tissues in the penis, making your erections weaker, so it's not hugely recommended.
Prof Wylie said there is very little evidence to suggest pumps give you extra length in the long run.
3. Extenders
Hold on if you're a bit weak stomached, boys.
Penile extenders involve placing a weight or small extending frame on the flaccid penis to stretch it.
Yes, you are essentially stretching the flesh of your manhood.
"There's some evidence that traction devices can have some impact, particularly with men who are smaller in size," Prof Wylie said.
"Some patients using traction devices for six months have noticed a gain in size of 1-2cm. However, such treatments shouldn't be started without the supervision of a doctor."
If you use extenders the wrong way you could damage the flesh of your penis, which can be disastrous for your sex life.
Size doesn’t matter – your mentality does
Experts at Chemist Click said the size of the penis, doesn’t really affect sexual function.
Despite this, it can increase the risk of sexual problems.
Studies have shown that people who think their penises are small are more likely to have low self-esteem, performance anxiety, relationship problems, and ED.
They are also less likely to let others, including doctors, look at their penis.
Trusting in the confidence of both medical professionals and your partner can go a long way towards re-establishing a healthy perception with your penis. Whether you’re concerned about length, girth or performance, rest assured you’re not alone.
4. Jelqing
What? We hear you say.
Somewhat similar to extenders, jelqing is when you repeatedly pull a flaccid penis using your thumb and index finger to increase length.
The idea behind it is that it increases the blood capacity of the penis and therefore makes it bigger.
But just like with lotions and pills, there's little evidence to suggest it works.
5. Surgery
There are two options when you have surgery – you can increase the length or the girth of your penis.
To increase the girth doctors can inject fat taken from other parts of the body into your member, but studies have found that it can cause long-term disfigurement if the fat doesn't distribute properly.
To increase your length surgeons can cut the ligament that attaches your penis to the pubic bone and perform a skin graft to give you extra length.
It might give you an extra 2cm, but it may also make your erection point lower than before.
"A lot of men who have this treatment don't truly appreciate this loss of angle," says Prof Wylie added.
"It can make sex quite uncomfortable. You've got to do a lot more manoeuvring with your partner. The advantage of a 2cm gain in flaccid length is far outweighed by the loss of angle of erection."
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