How Can I Safely Increase My Penis Size as an Older Adult?

What you see is not always what you get. Often, Winston says, it might not be your penis that shrank, but your view of it.

Weight gain, not uncommon in older men, can create an optical illusion, where abdominal fat overshadows the penis. Some men also accumulate fat at the base of the shaft, causing what’s called buried penis syndrome, Winston adds. “The penis itself hasn’t changed; it’s just playing hide and seek.”

If excess fat is the issue, Winston says the best approach is behavior modification: improve your diet, exercise and focus on overall health. Not only will this amp up your confidence, he adds, but it also enhances blood flow, which improves sexual function.

In extreme cases, surgery is an option. The procedure involves removing fat around the penis to restore visibility. However, Winston says, as with any surgery in this region, there’s a risk of nerve damage that could impact sexual sensation and erections.

Treatment options. Morgentaler says there is one pharmaceutical fix and two other surgical procedures, but he cautions that the surgeries aren’t commonly done. These procedures will not likely be covered by insurance, but check with your insurance company.

• First, the pharma fix. PhalloFILL, relatively new, basically takes the same idea as cosmetic fillers used in the face and applies it to the penis. Morgentaler says a urologist injects hyaluronic acid in the penis to increase girth. The acid, used often in moisturizers, eventually dissolves so this would need to be repeated at some point to maintain the same result. The cost of PhalloFILL is ultimately decided by the provider, but the company's website says it likely will run in the $3,000 to $10,000 range, depending on the number of treatments. “There are few complications; however, there is an ‘art’ to doing this so that the penis looks smooth and regular throughout its length.”
• Suspensory ligament surgery. With an incision, a urologic surgeon releases or cuts the suspensory ligament in the penis. The outcome: The penis will appear longer, but the erection will remain the same. “The idea is to allow the penis room to hang lower,” Morgentaler says. “A longer flaccid size makes some guys feel better.” The cost varies by provider but can run $15,000 and up.

The surgery comes with risks, including infection, bleeding, changes in sensation and scarring.

• Silicone sleeve surgery. There’s an FDA-cleared device called a Himplant, a silicone sleeve that gets inserted surgically and wraps around the shaft of the penis under the skin. Morgentaler says it makes the penis thicker and, in a flaccid state, a little longer. The cost, according to the website, is approximately $16,000 to $18,000 but, again, can vary by provider.

He adds that this is a more serious operation than suspensory ligament surgery because you’re inserting foreign material into the body — but it shares all the same risks. Plus, if there’s an infection, the device usually must be removed. 

What to stay away from. Winston warns against supplements and “miracle pills that promise to increase size." “Snake oil,” he says. “Don’t waste your money.”

Also avoid jelqing, a penis-stretching exercise. “There’s no real scientific proof that it works. Also, you can hurt yourself.”

While a traction device, which promises to stretch the penis over time, “can work,” Winston says it requires a “relentless” commitment from the user. The device attaches behind the head of the penis, and the other end pushes against the pubic bone. If you use the device for 20 minutes every day for a year, you “might” gain a half-inch in length. Winston says a doctor can prescribe the device, but insurance usually doesn't cover it. You can also buy it directly online, without a prescription.

Does size matter? “Here’s the truth,” Winston says. “A larger penis doesn’t mean better performance.” If you’re looking to enhance your sex life, he recommends focusing less on inches and more on techniques, intimacy and overall health.

“The clitoris and vaginal nerves don’t need a baseball bat — they need attention,” he says. “Your mindset, emotional connection and confidence will amplify your performance way more than an extra inch ever could.”

Whatever size you’re working with, Winston says to “work it well.”

“Eat right, exercise, manage your blood pressure and stay confident,” he adds. “Your best performance starts with your health, not your ruler.”