All across the globe, men face and deal with stress and anxiety over the size of their penis. In many instances, this is such a serious issue that many men actively seek out medication and medical procedures in an attempt to increase their size.
In reality, the vast majority of men have normal-sized penises. This means that, with rare exceptions on either side of the spectrum, most men have an average erect penis length of 5.15 inches (13.1 cm) and 4.58 inches (11.65 cm).
When it comes to penile enlargement, while considerable amounts of strategy, effort, and research have been focused on its length, considerably less has been done regarding penile girth. The study below reviewed the specific reasons men sought an increase in penile girth and the many approaches currently practiced as a means of achieving it.
PENILE DYSMORPHOPHOBIA
Also known as PDD, Penile Dysmorphophobic Disorder is a body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) subtype. PDD is characterized as “a preoccupation with a minor or nonexistent flaw in body image that causes marked impairment in various areas of functioning.” Those with PDD experience this severe preoccupation with regard to the appearance of their penis.
Men diagnosed with PDD often feel ashamed or embarrassed about their penile appearance and often report suffering from anxiousness or depression. These men generally develop mild to severe cases of erectile dysfunction (ED). They are considerably more likely to avoid exposing themselves to potential sexual opportunities to protect themselves from perceived ridicule.
_It should be noted that this diagnosis excludes men with true micropenises. Micropenises are penises with a flaccid length below 1.57 inches (4 cm) and an erect length below 2.95 inches (7.5 cm). _
GOALS OF GIRTH ENHANCEMENT
A Girth Enhancement procedure`s goal is to help increase the penis circumference, both in its flaccid and its erect state, all while maintaining the normal and natural appearance of a shaft and normal erectogenic and sensory functions.
Because PDD is a primarily psychological factor rather than a biological or anatomical issue, it is recommended that appropriate evaluations are conducted before any surgeries, or medical procedures are performed.
ORAL THERAPIES
A commonly proposed method of increasing penile girth, Oral Therapies have been known to treat many of the psychological stresses of PDD and PDD-related issues.
Many of the over-the-counter (OTCs) Penile Enhancement drugs, despite their “natural” claims and “clinnical results,” are generally not approved or regulated by the FDA. Similarly, very few hold any legitimate scientifically reviewed data regarding their efficacy. Many of these drugs are reported to contain numerous ingredients that may potentially harm your body.
It is advised by doctors and physicians to avoid these drugs if at all possible.
PDE5
The OTC drug known as Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) is used as an inhibitor drug. It is claimed to treat ED symptoms as well as having regenerative and tissue remodeling capabilities. As of now, there is little information known on its use as a penile enlargement therapy.
PDE5 inhibitors, when combined with psychotherapy, have become more aggressively researched after initial results found with men with psychogenic ED.
Fluoxetine
Also known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), Fluoxetine has been shown to be incredibly useful when treating individuals with BDD and potentially PDD.
Research into this drug is currently ongoing.
VACUUM & TRACTION THERAPY – VEDs
Vacuum Erectile Devices (VEDs) are devices that are claimed to increase penile length for a man. However, many studies have shown abysmal results for VEDs and have surmised that the approach is entirely “untenable.”
Specifically, when considered for girth affectation, studies have similarly reported no significant results from VED use.
Penile Traction Devices
Though reported to show some increases in penile length, these devices do not enhance the penis`s girth. Currently, it is not recommended for men that exclusively wish to increase penile girth.
INJECTION THERAPY
Numerous substances have been used in subcutaneous injections for the penis. These include:
Fat
Injections of autologous fat may potentially increase penis girth. However, several potential complications may arise during the therapy. These can include scarring, fat nodules, or skin deformities, each of which requiring extensive corrective surgery depending on the severity.
There has been at least one death reported due to a fat embolism resulting from the fat injection. Currently, the procedure is considered “experimental.”
Silicone
Silicone injections are injections of liquid silicone into the man`s penis. Not only has this shown no recorded benefit to resolving penile enhancement issues, but silicone injections have resulted in sexual dysfunction, severe edema, and penile distortion. There have also been reports of silicone pneumonitis as well as silicone embolism and multi-organ failure. Depending on the issue`s severity, some of these problems have taken over 30 years post-injection before becoming prevalent.
Currently, a microdroplet approach has been suggested for study.
SOFT TISSUE FILLERS
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid injections have shown a potential increase in penile girth. However, they have also been linked with issues surrounding erections as well as penile sensations.
One study was reported showing declining rates of satisfaction following 18 months post-injection. Other similar studies have produced similarly detrimental complications. In one study, the injections resulted in severe hypersensitivity, while another reported the appearance of vascular occlusions. One example of such a treatment is PhalloFILL penile girth enhancement.
PMMA
Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (also known as PMMA) is a non-absorbable soft tissue filler given to over 700 men. In the study, all men reported a mean increase in penile girth of around 0.94 inches (2.4 cm). The men were noted to have maintained this increase while flaccid, stretched, and erect.
In terms of side effects, over half of the men reported voids, ridges, indentations, nodularities, and irregularities in the tissue filler.
The few studies surrounding dermal fillers have shown no reproducible results and require more long-term follow-up data before a conclusion can be definitively made. As of now, these injections are considered mainly experimental.
GRAFT & FLAP PROCEDURES
Dermal Fat Grafts
Dermal Fat Grafts are described as grafts consisting of the de-epithelialized dermis and subcutaneous fat. The dermis is used to increase blood vessels and increase bulk in order to assist the vascularization process.
Side effects have included preputial edema as well as painful erections.
Fasciocutaneous Arterial Island Flap
Despite being presented as a potential aid in penile girth enhancement, there has only been one reported case of the procedure. Due to its apparent complexity and other issues, it has been regarded as “unjustifiable” as a remedy for young men with physiologically normal penises.
Porcine Dermal Acellular Matrix Graft
Of all the approaches offered, the Porcine Dermal Acellular Matrix Graft (PDAMG) showed the highest self-esteem and sexual satisfaction rates.
The studies, however, found that there was a trade-off. Men did see a 13% increase in their penile girth. However, it came at the expense of an equivalent shortening of the penis as a result of graft fibrosis.
A similar related study of acellular collagen matrix graft showed considerably lower satisfaction levels, with 22% requiring graft removal.
SUBCUTANEOUS PENILE IMPLANTS
Subcutaneous implants are silicone-based implants inserted subdermally around the penile shaft and wrapped around three-quarters of its dorsal area.
The inventor of the device noted no complications. It should be noted that, before giving their report, the inventor did not evaluate for penile sensation, partner satisfaction, or overall sexual function.
A following review of the device did not discuss any long-term side effects or adverse events surrounding implant removal.
Later, a silicone implant study reported penile curvature, severe edema, and subcutaneous masses, as well as many other scarring, deformities, and infections.
CORPOROPLASTIC PHALLOPLASTY
While using bilateral corporal venous grafts, a Corporoplastic Phalloplasty can expand the corporal girth of a penis. Researchers have considered the technique both “radical” and “invasive” and have concluded it as being currently experimental.
As it stands, penile girth has shown an increase, though only when erect. Patient selection, along with realistic expectations, is essential when determining its potential impact overall.
CONCLUSION
Of the patients who underwent BDD-related cosmetic procedures, 96% reported either no changes or a worsening in their changes. The author noted that quality of life concerns, psychological distress, and sexual function should be important factors to consider when coming up with a treatment.
Ideally, a patient should try oral medication before an invasive procedure as well as seek prior counseling. Patients should also know that there are no clinical guidelines and that there may be other complications that have gone underreported.
In the future, any research surrounding penile girth enhancement should be done with both psychological and physiological outcomes in mind.
– Contributed by PhalloFILL penile girth treatment