Observations
Try penile extenders first—not surgery, urge researchers
Other non-surgical methods less effective
Men who are unhappy with the length of their penis should try non-invasive surgery and in some cases therapy, before considering surgery, according to a report in the April issue of the British Journal of Urology International.
A research review carried out by urologists Marco Orderda and Paolo Gontero of the University of Turin found that penile traction devices or extenders were more effective at increasing penis size than other non-invasive methods including vacuum devices, exercises and botulinum toxin injections.
Associate professor Dr Gontero said: "Based on current evidence, we suggest that penile extenders, not surgery, should be the first-line treatment for men seeking a penile lengthening procedure."
Professors Gontero and Oderda reviewed five evidence-based studies of penile surgery and six evidence-based studies of non-surgical methods published from 2000 to 2009.
The review found that surgical procedures increased average flaccid length by 1.3 to 2.5 cm, while studies of three types of penile extenders increased average flaccid length by 0.5 to 2.3 cm.
