If you’re like many men, you may be wondering, can Viagra make you bigger? While Viagra won’t permanently change the size of your penis, it can help you achieve fuller erections by increasing blood flow.
Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, improves circulation to your penis, allowing it to become firmer and remain erect longer during sexual activity. While it won’t make your penis physically more prominent, it can help you maximise your size when erect. So, the answer to the question of whether Viagra can make you bigger is, unfortunately, no. Still, on the flip side, if you are struggling to achieve an erection, it can quickly grow your penis to its usual erect size.
OK, I know I have basically given you a spoiler for the rest of the article, but don’t worry. This article still has a ton of interesting stuff that will help you learn why Viagra will not make you bigger.
What is the average penis size?
Many men are curious about what’s considered “normal” when it comes to penis size. Society’s obsession with bigger being better. We are told we need bigger houses, bigger cars, bigger and now bigger genitalia. All this is being fuelled by ads for male enhancement products that bombard you when you browse online. Is it any wonder, then, that men are asking this question?
So what is the average penis size? Many men have a distorted impression of what “average” is due to the free accessibility of pornography that leaves its consumers feeling inadequate. This question has even reached the hallowed grounds of academia. A review carried out in 2020 found that the average length of an erect penis, based on measurements from 10 studies involving 1,629 participants, was 5.36 inches (13.61 cm). In 21 studies where stretched penises were measured, the average length was around 5.11 inches (12.98 cm) from a sample of 13,719 men. Overall, these studies suggest that the average erect penis length falls between 5.1 and 5.5 inches (12.95–13.97. [1]
If you’re unsure about your size, you can measure it by standing up, having an erection, and measuring along the top from the base to the tip. OK, we know men are keen to know how they measure up, but what do women really think? Well, we will save that revelation until the end of the article.
Why does your penis stop growing?
Your penis may continue to grow until you reach adulthood, but penis size isn’t linked to sexual performance or testosterone levels. Most growth occurs during puberty, typically between the ages of 9 and 14 and lasting around five years. This growth is triggered by a surge in testosterone. During this period, your body changes rapidly, with tufts of tight, curly pubic hair appearing and the deepening of the voice, leading to some embarrassing vocal hiccups. Then at the end of puberty, your penis reaches its full adult length, usually in your late teens.
The size of your genitals, like your penis and testicles, is an important sign of how your body is developing as you grow up. This has led to a fascinating study in China that measured penis growth in 2974 boys.[2} The study focused on how boys’ genitals change from childhood to age 17. Researchers measured the length and width of the penis, as well as the size of the testicles, to create growth charts that track development. The study found that penis growth is slow before age 10 but speeds up a lot between ages 11 and 15. During this time, both the length and width of the penis increase rapidly. On the other hand, testicle growth doesn’t change much before age 10 but starts increasing after that. These growth patterns are helpful for doctors to understand what’s normal and to spot any potential issues during puberty.
How does an erection occur?
Before we tackle the question that brought you to this blog in the first place, let’s explore the mechanism behind an erection.
An erection occurs through a finely tuned process involving the brain, nerves, hormones, and blood vessels. It starts with sexual arousal, triggered by thoughts, physical touch, or sensory stimulation. This arousal causes the brain to send signals through the nervous system, releasing nitric oxide in the tissues of the penis. Nitric oxide plays a crucial role by increasing levels of a molecule called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP causes the smooth muscle in the walls of blood vessels within the penis to relax, allowing blood to flow freely into the corpora cavernosa, two spongy chambers that run along the length of the penis.
Think of your penis as a sponge that fills with blood when you’re sexually aroused. It contains two long, cylindrical chambers of spongy tissue, each with a main artery that brings oxygen-rich blood from your heart. When you get an erection, blood flows into these chambers, causing your penis to swell and stiffen. The swelling also compresses the veins that usually drain blood, keeping the erection firm.[3]
How does Viagra work?
Usually, an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) breaks down cGMP, which reduces blood flow and causes the erection to subside.[4] This is where Viagra (sildenafil) makes its grand entrance since it works by inhibiting PDE5, preventing it from breaking down cGMP too quickly. As a result, cGMP levels remain elevated, allowing the blood vessels to stay relaxed and more blood to fill the penis, sustaining a firmer and longer-lasting erection.[5] However, Viagra doesn’t create an erection on its own; sexual stimulation is still needed to release nitric oxide and initiate the process. By blocking PDE5, Viagra helps men with erectile dysfunction maintain erections that are sufficient for sexual activity.
Hence, by blocking the PDE5 enzyme and allowing more blood to flow into the penis, Viagra helps you achieve a fuller, longer-lasting erection. Its effects can last for up to four hours, giving you more time to engage in sexual activity if you’re able.
The dangers of a prolonged erection
With an erection, it is a case of too much of a good thing can be bad for you since a prolonged erection can be quite dangerous. During an erection, the arteries in the penis open up, allowing blood to flow into the spongy chambers called the corpora cavernosa, which run along the length of the penis. As these chambers fill with blood, the penis becomes firm and erect. At the same time, the veins that usually drain blood from the penis are compressed, effectively shutting them off. This prevents blood from leaving the penis, helping to maintain the erection.
While this process is essential for a normal erection, it becomes problematic in the case of priapism, where the blood remains trapped in the penis for an extended period. When the veins stay closed and the blood cannot leave, the tissues in the penis are deprived of fresh, oxygen-rich blood. Over time, the lack of oxygen can cause damage to the penile tissue. If this oxygen deprivation continues for too long, it can lead to scarring, tissue damage, and potentially permanent erectile dysfunction. [6]
In severe cases, priapism can lead to necrosis (death of tissue) in the penis, which may require surgical intervention. This is why priapism is considered a medical emergency, and anyone experiencing an erection lasting more than four hours should seek immediate medical attention to prevent long-term complications.
Can Viagra make you bigger during sex?
While Viagra won’t permanently increase your penis size, it can help you achieve your fullest erection. By enhancing blood flow, it can make your erection feel and look bigger than usual. The effects of Viagra can last up to four hours, allowing you to maintain better erections during that time. If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction and thinking about trying Viagra, you can complete our questionnaire to see if it is safe for you to take.
Is Viagra an aphrodisiac?
Viagra is not a sexual stimulant and does not boost your libido or sexual desire. An erection begins in your brain, and for your body to respond, you first need to be aroused by something—whether it’s a thought or an action. Sexual arousal triggers the release of nitric oxide, a chemical that starts the process of filling your penis with blood. What Viagra does is help improve blood flow to your penis, resulting in fuller, firmer erections that last longer. While Viagra doesn’t increase desire directly, the confidence that comes from knowing your body will perform well can naturally enhance your overall sexual experience.
Do women prefer a big penis?
Many men may feel insecure about their penis size due to the influence of online pornography and constant ads for male enhancement products. However, recent surveys suggest that most women are satisfied with their partner’s size. A survey of 52,031 heterosexual men and women examined views on penis size. Most men (66%) considered their penis size average, 22% rated it as large, and 12% as small. Interestingly, while 85% of women were satisfied with their partner’s penis size, only 55% of men were content with theirs. About 45% of men wished for a larger penis, and just 0.2% wanted it to be smaller. [7]
So, will Viagra make you bigger?
In short, Viagra (sildenafil) can help you achieve a fuller erection, but it doesn’t permanently increase your penis size. The key is improved blood flow, which can make your erection appear more prominent and stronger when aroused. If you’re wondering if sildenafil can make you bigger permanently, the answer is no. No pill can do that, and any product claiming to increase your penis size should be approached with caution.
While Viagra is a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, it’s important to buy from a registered and reputable online pharmacy, such as Medical Mojo. To order your Viagra, you will first need to complete our health questionnaire to make sure that it is safe for you to take.
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References
- Wessells, H., Lue, T. F., & McAninch, J. W. (1996). Penile length in the flaccid and erect states: guidelines for penile augmentation. The Journal of Urology, 156(3), 995-997.
Sánchez, X., & Vilain, E. (2017). The penis size debate: Is bigger really better? International Journal of Impotence Research, 29(3), 135-138. - Wang YN, Zeng Q, Xiong F, Zeng Y. Male external genitalia growth curves and charts for children and adolescents aged 0 to 17 years in Chongqing, China. Asian J Androl. 2018 Nov-Dec;20(6):567-571.
- Akorede, B.A., Hassan, S.A. and Akhigbe, R.E., 2024. Penile erection and cardiovascular function: effects and pathophysiology. The Aging Male, 27(1), p.2336627.
- Liu, J.L., Burnett, A.L. and Herati, A.S., 2023. Molecular Biology and Physiology of Erectile Function and Dysfunction. Men’s Reproductive and Sexual Health Throughout the Lifespan: An Integrated Approach to Fertility, Sexual Function, and Vitality, p.289.
- Saikia, Q., Hazarika, A. and Mishra, R., 2022. A review on the pharmacological importance of PDE5 and its inhibition to manage biomedical conditions. Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics, 13(3), pp.246-257.
- Gregory A. Broderick, Ates Kadioglu, Trinity J. Bivalacqua, Hussein Ghanem, Ajay Nehra, Rany Shamloul, Priapism: Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, and Management, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 7, Issue 1_part_2, January 2010, Pages 476–500
- Lever, J., Frederick, D.A. and Peplau, L.A., 2006. Does size matter? Men’s and women’s views on penis size across the lifespan. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 7(3), p.129.
