There are any number of reasons why a penis-haver might want their cock to be larger. For example, maybe they’ve been watching too much porn and think a 9-inch schlong is a requirement for a sexual Achievement of Excellence Award. ;)

Or maybe they’ve heard one too many small penis jokes and it has finally hit a little too close to home, affecting their self-esteem or even escalating to penile dysmorphophobia. This is defined as “shorthand for men diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder, in whom the size or shape of the penis is their main, if not their exclusive, preoccupation causing significant shame or handicap.”

Or maybe they just want a novel experience. They want their partner to feel extra filled and have multiple orgasms, or they want to see themselves in the mirror with an extra-big johnson.

Let’s get this straight right off the bat, though: If you own a penis, it’s perfect as it is — flaccid length as well as hard-on length. You’ve got every right to play with it in whatever way you want, including seeing if you can extend it, but it’s important for you to remember that your junk is great just the way it is. Sometimes the best sexual medicine is straight-up self-love.

 

What’s the best penis extender?

According to clinical sexologist and sex and relationship coach at The Sex Consultant Ness Cooper, “A penis extender is a device that can be worn to make the penis longer and/or wider.” So we’re talkin’ about either getting that cock longer or more girthy. 

There are basically four different types of penis extenders, and the best one for you will depend on your goals:

 

Penis sleeve (aka penis extension sleeve) 

As Ness says, “Penis extension sleeves are wearable sleeves that are a bit like slipping a hollow dildo over the penis shaft to allow the wearer extra penile size. Sometimes these stay in place by looping around the balls, and other extension sleeves are worn in a harness to keep them over the penis shaft during various sexual positions.”

The most straightforward penis extender, wearable sleeves won’t actually impact your penis size. However, they do give you a temporary boost during a sexual encounter, which can make for a sweet ride for both you and your sweetie. Some penis sleeves are also ribbed or textured for an extra-fine sensation on both the inside and outside. Always remember to use lots o’ lube.

 

Cock rings

These ring-shaped adult sex toys fit right around the base of your johnson, essentially restricting just the right amount of blood to give you a stronger hard-on. Cock rings can also give the impression of a bigger dick. 

For some penis-havers, cock rings can also help delay ejaculation, which can make for a longer sexual session. Research is sort of mixed on efficacy for premature ejaculation (PE), though. One study showed that, when paired with the right meds, cock rings significantly improved erectile dysfunction. But another study showed that they had a pretty limited effect on PE. Your mileage may vary.

 

Penis pumps

According to Healthline, “Yes, penis pumps do work for most people.” However, “Let’s start with what they can’t do, which is give you a bigger penis … What they can do is increase blood flow to your penis to help you achieve or maintain an erection so you can have penetrative sex. Sure, you may gain a teeny bit of extra penile length from a pump, but it’s a temporary gain.”

 

Penis traction devices

Penis traction gadgets basically add tension to help you to stretch your member on a regular basis. They’re not meant to be worn or used during sexy time, but rather on your own time. Plus, usually, you wear one for hours, rather than minutes (like a penis pump).

 

Do penis extenders work?

As mentioned already, yes, penis extenders work -- to an extent. For example, for penis-havers with a condition where achieving a full, large-and-in-charge and/or straight erection is challenging, using a penis pump might actually be a viable workaround to getting the li’l guy up to the desired posture. And if you currently have a curved member and want it to be straighter, a penis traction device can help. 

Penis-havers that have Peyronie’s disease (a buildup of scar tissue in the penis), for example, have the potential to be treated with a vacuum pump (e.g. a penis pump). This is because penis pumps can help generate fuller, straighter erections and also reduce penile curvature when used over time. 

Penile traction (aka penis traction) can also be an effective treatment for Peyronie’s disease. Devices like the Male Edge Pro, Penimaster Pro, Phallosan Forte, and Jes Extender are similar to what a doctor might recommend for correcting penile curvature through a process called phalogenic traction. 

Now, despite the penis stretching these devices facilitate, using them won’t result in a permanent increase in penis length. If your cock has plaque built up in it from injury or some other physical issue, using a penis stretcher can lessen the curve, which will result in overall length increase, but that increase would be similar to what your total penis tissue was already capable of providing. Plus, attempting to achieve penile enlargement through stretching the tissues in an obsessive way can result in weaker erections and damage to blood vessels. So if you are going to try it, don’t overdo it.

The other thing to know is that a penile extender device that rely on penile traction therapy doesn’t have as much benefit when looking at an actual increase in length or girth of the penis. The member you’ve got is probably how it’s going to be for life, and getting used to how the li’l dude works on a daily basis is worth the time, attention, and mental/emotional labor if you’re experiencing body shame about your penis.

That said, if you or a penis-haver you know is coping with erectile dysfunction, penis pumps can help achieve full sexual function when accompanied by an appropriately-sized cock ring. Also, if you’re no longer getting an erect penis naturally, it’s important to make sure your penis gets regular blood flow, so using a penis pump can also preserve the state and function of your penis for longer.

 

Risks and considerations 

As we’ve stated, if you use a penile traction device to execute penile stretching at too high a setting, it can damage your penis. This is no bueno, and you want to avoid it. Basically you should exercise common sense and if something hurts or is uncomfortable, stop doing it. 

It’s also good to know that ads from the many many porn sites that offer penis enlargement from pills also are not truthful in their ability to enlarge a penis. Penile length is more or less determined by your family’s penis size genetics. 

Really, when we get down to the core of the matter, it’s hard if not impossible to change the size of your penis without penis enlargement surgery, at least if scientific articles are going to be the source of whether or not success is possible. 

Penis extension surgery can increase the size of the penis, but the potential negative outcomes are high, as well. Every step in the surgery of enlarging your penis comes with some risk, and the potential negative consequences are serious enough that finding another way to cope with the size of your penis is advisable.

Basically the penis you have is the penis you’re going to have for the rest of your life, so getting comfortable with your own special pal’s size, shape, and girth is a great idea. And learning how to have fun sex with your particular equipment is going to lead to more fulfillment than any gadget or stroking technique will get you.

 

How big is a normal dick?

According to Grant Stoddard, co-author of the sex guide Great in Bed with Dr. Debby Herbenick of the Kinsey Institute, “More people are watching more porn than ever before. The net result is that porn has completely warped our concept of what's ‘normal’, especially the perception of heterosexual males who may seldom encounter an IRL erection besides their own.”

In other words, if you watch porn your idea of a normal cock is probably skewed. As Stoddard points out, “Porn stars are a self-selecting group. Their larger-than-average proportions and their ability to achieve and maintain erections in front of a production crew make them a truly extraordinary bunch. Why do you think you keep seeing the same handful of dudes show up in porn so often?”

According to the Mayo Clinic, “If your penis is about 5 inches (13 cm) or longer when erect, it's of typical size. A penis is considered small only if it measures less than 3 inches (about 7.5 centimeters) when erect. This is a condition called micropenis.”

And how about when it’s not erect? According to Science.org, “According to the team's analysis, the average flaccid, pendulous penis is 9.16 cm (3.61 inches) in length … The corresponding girth measurements are 9.31 cm (3.66 inches) for a flaccid penis and 11.66 cm (4.59 inches) for an erect one.”

In other words, if your cock is around 3.5 inches flaccid and 5 inches long when it’s hard, you’re right in the zone of normal. And if you think a larger penis will please a vulva-haver, think again. A lot of women say they actually want an average-sized phallus. A bigger penis doesn't necessarily mean that your sexual partner will be enjoying the feel of penetration more. In fact, on the other end of the bell curve of penises, penile size can be too big and cause discomfort to receive penetration from a beast of a cock.

Want to know what’s actually important to vulva-havers? In the words of Fatherly, “[W]omen ranked characteristics such as trustworthiness and overall attractiveness as more important than penis size. What’s more, most women’s penis preferences had to do more with functionality rather than aesthetics. It’s the motion in the ocean that matters most.”

In other words, who you are as a human being is more important than the size of your pecker. No penis extender device can take the place of your integrity, humanity, or love.