Penis Enlargement Pills: The Truth and FDA Warnings

Penis enlargement pills do not make the penis longer or thicker: no pill, capsule, gummy or “natural” supplement has been shown in reliable studies to increase adult penis size. What many of these products do contain, according to repeated US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings, is hidden prescription drugs that can be dangerous for men with heart disease or men who take nitrates. If you are worried about your size, our penis enlargement page explains the few medical options that do have evidence, and what they can and cannot achieve.

Source: ISSM — Can a man make his penis larger?; FDA — Sexual Enhancement and Energy Product Notifications

What are penis enlargement pills?

Penis enlargement pills are over-the-counter products, usually sold online, in convenience stores or through social media ads, that promise a bigger penis, harder erections or more “stamina.” They are often labeled as dietary supplements, foods or “all-natural” herbal blends, which in the United States means they do not have to prove they work before they go on sale.

The FDA groups them with other sexual enhancement and energy products and notes that they are often promoted with large numbers of glowing reviews and social media marketing. The names of penis enlargement pills frequently promise size directly, and several products with such names appear on the FDA’s own list of tainted items.

Source: FDA — Sexual Enhancement and Energy Product Notifications; PubMed — Nounou et al., Adulteration and counterfeiting of online nutraceutical formulations in the United States (J Diet Suppl 2018)

What the labels usually claim

Typical claims include permanent gains in length and girth, results within weeks, “clinically proven” formulas, and herbal ingredients such as ginseng, horny goat weed, tribulus, maca, L-arginine or yohimbe. Some penis enlargement pills list nothing that sounds like a drug at all. As the sections below show, laboratory testing often tells a very different story from the label.

Source: NCCIH — 4 Things To Know About Dietary Supplements Marketed for Sexual Enhancement

Do penis enlargement pills work?

No. The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) lists supplements and creams among the products that claim to enlarge the penis and states plainly that there is no scientific evidence supporting any non-surgical method for increasing length or girth. Cleveland Clinic urologist Dr. Raevti Bole puts pills, tablets, gummies, creams and lotions in the “what doesn’t work” group, saying penis enlargement pills and similar products come with many claims but no evidence.

A 2025 review of penile enhancement in Current Urology reached the same conclusion: lotions, pills, stretching gadgets and pumps sold online are mostly ineffective, scientific evidence for these unregulated medicines is limited, and they can cause side effects.

Source: ISSM — Can a man make his penis larger?; Cleveland Clinic — Male Enhancement: Can You Make Your Penis Bigger?; PMC — Chen et al., Penile enhancement: a comprehensive and current perspective (Curr Urol 2025)

Regulators have said the same thing

In 2008 the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shut down a spam network selling a pill called VPXL, advertised as fully herbal, safe and able to permanently increase penis size. The FTC alleged the penis enlargement pills did not work, and FDA testing at the FTC’s request found they contained sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. That pattern of a size claim backed by no evidence, plus a hidden erection drug, still appears in FDA warnings today.

Source: FTC — FTC Shuts Down, Freezes Assets of Vast International Spam E-Mail Network (2008)

What about “natural” ingredients?

Herbs such as ginseng or amino acids such as L-arginine have been studied, but for erection quality, not for the size claims made by penis enlargement pills. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes there is no definite evidence that any herbal product is safe or effective even for erectile dysfunction, and most studies are small or were done in animals. We review that evidence in our guide to natural remedies for erectile dysfunction.

Source: NCCIH — 4 Things To Know About Dietary Supplements Marketed for Sexual Enhancement

Why no pill can change penis size

An erection happens when blood fills two spongy cylinders, the corpora cavernosa, plus a third cylinder around the urethra, the corpus spongiosum. The corpora cavernosa are wrapped in a tough, fibrous sheath called the tunica albuginea. Erect length and girth are limited by the size of these cylinders and their sheath, which are set by genetics and hormones during development and puberty.

Penis enlargement pills cannot add new erectile tissue or stretch that sheath. At most, a pill that secretly contains an erection drug can make an erection firmer, which a man may mistake for growth. That effect lasts only as long as the drug does, and it carries the risks of an unprescribed medicine.

Source: PubMed — Hsieh et al., Human penile anatomy and erection physiology (Med Sci Monit 2012); MedlinePlus — Sildenafil

Hormones do not work after puberty

Some penis enlargement pills contain or claim to “boost” testosterone. The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines recommend hormone treatment only for boys with true micropenis or disorders of sex development, and strongly advise against testosterone or other hormonal therapies to increase penile size after puberty.

Source: EAU Guidelines — Penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia

FDA warnings: hidden drugs in enhancement pills

The FDA publishes a running list of sexual enhancement products found to contain hidden drug ingredients. The agency describes these products as a serious health risk that can lead to severe health problems and hospitalization, and warns that they are sometimes falsely advertised as dietary supplements, foods or all-natural treatments. It also cautions that its list covers only a small fraction of tainted products, so a product that is not listed is not necessarily safe.

Source: FDA — Sexual Enhancement and Energy Product Notifications

A recent example

In a notice dated May 29, 2026, the FDA reported that laboratory analysis of a male enhancement product called Erectus Plus found sildenafil, tadalafil and testosterone propionate, none of which were on the label. Testosterone propionate is a controlled substance, and the FDA warned that testosterone products can cause blood clots in the legs or lungs, serious liver problems, and enlarged prostate or prostate cancer.

Source: FDA — Erectus Plus may be harmful due to hidden drug ingredients (2026)

What the research shows

Studies of FDA data and independent laboratory testing show the problem is widespread, not occasional:

• FDA warnings 2007–2016: an analysis in JAMA Network Open found 776 adulterated dietary supplements; 353 (45.5%) were marketed for sexual enhancement, and sildenafil was the most common hidden drug in that group (166 of 353 products). Many products named in repeat warnings contained new unapproved ingredients the second time.
• Store-bought “herbal” products: a 2013 study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, coordinated by a drug manufacturer’s security team, tested 91 samples of 58 products bought mainly at convenience stores and gas stations. None claimed synthetic ingredients, yet 74 (81%) contained sildenafil, tadalafil or related compounds, and only 14 samples warned against use with nitrates.
• Online “natural” products: a 2021 laboratory study of six male enhancement products labeled as natural found sildenafil in every batch tested, in amounts ranging from 0.45 mg to 51.85 mg, with large differences between batches.

Source: PubMed — Tucker et al., Unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients included in dietary supplements associated with US FDA warnings (JAMA Netw Open 2018); PubMed — Campbell et al., Adulteration of purported herbal and natural sexual performance enhancement dietary supplements (J Sex Med 2013); PubMed — Nounou et al., The safety, efficacy and pharmaceutical quality of male enhancement nutraceuticals bought online (J Integr Med 2021)

Health risks of penis enlargement pills

Because the real contents of penis enlargement pills are unknown, the risks are unpredictable. A dose of hidden sildenafil can be close to nothing in one capsule and higher than a typical prescription dose in another, and some products contain several drugs at once.

Dangerous interaction with nitrates

The FDA warns that hidden sildenafil or tadalafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. The FDA adds that people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease often take nitrates, which means the men most at risk are often the ones buying these products for erection problems.

Source: FDA — Erectus Plus may be harmful due to hidden drug ingredients (2026); NCCIH — 4 Things To Know About Dietary Supplements Marketed for Sexual Enhancement

Yohimbe and stimulant ingredients

Yohimbe bark is a common “natural” ingredient in enhancement blends. NCCIH reports that yohimbine, its active component, has been linked to irregular heartbeat, blood pressure problems, heart attacks and seizures, and that the amount in supplements varies widely and is often not stated. Several countries restrict or ban yohimbe products.

Source: NCCIH — Yohimbe: Usefulness and Safety

Hidden hormones and delayed diagnosis

As the Erectus Plus case shows, some products carry undeclared testosterone, with its own risks. The FDA also points out that health fraud products waste money and can delay proper diagnosis and treatment. That matters because a softer or “shrinking” erection is often a sign of erectile dysfunction, which can be an early marker of diabetes or heart disease. Laboratory work has also found poor batch-to-batch consistency in some of these products, and toxic effects on liver cells grown in the lab.

Source: FDA — Health Fraud Scams; PubMed — Nounou et al., male enhancement nutraceuticals bought online (J Integr Med 2021)

How to spot a penis enlargement pill scam

The FDA defines health fraud as a product promoted to treat a condition, or to improve health, well-being or appearance, without scientific proof that it is safe and effective for that purpose. Measured against that definition, penis enlargement pills fit the description. The table compares common marketing claims with what the evidence says.

Source: FDA — Health Fraud Scams; ISSM — Can a man make his penis larger?; EAU Guidelines — Penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia

If you have already taken penis enlargement pills and felt unwell, stop it, keep the packaging and tell your doctor which product you used. In the United States, side effects can be reported to the FDA through its MedWatch program. If you need a genuine erection medicine, get it through a doctor or licensed pharmacy.

Source: FDA — Sexual Enhancement and Energy Product Notifications

What actually has evidence

Real options for penis enlargement are limited and the gains are modest, but unlike penis enlargement pills they have been studied. The EAU guidelines describe traction therapy as effective for modest lengthening, while noting the evidence is of poor quality because there are no randomized trials. Vacuum devices produce only temporary fullness and are considered ineffective for lasting lengthening. Hyaluronic acid fillers can add girth for some men but are not recommended for men with penile dysmorphic disorder, and grafts and the Penuma implant are considered experimental.

Source: EAU Guidelines — Penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia; Cleveland Clinic — Male Enhancement: Can You Make Your Penis Bigger?

Unlike penis enlargement pills, extenders have some evidence: Cleveland Clinic estimates the typical gain from extenders at roughly half an inch over months, and notes that for many men the result is not worth the effort. You can read the details in our guides to the penis extender and penis enlargement surgery.

Source: Cleveland Clinic — Male Enhancement: Can You Make Your Penis Bigger?

Size worries and penile dysmorphic disorder

Many men who buy penis enlargement pills have a normal penis. The largest pooled analysis of measured (not self-reported) size, by Veale and colleagues in BJU International in 2015, found an average erect length of 13.12 cm (about 5.2 in) and an average erect girth of 11.66 cm (about 4.6 in). Our article on average penis size explains how to measure correctly and what the normal range looks like.

Source: PubMed — Veale et al., Am I normal? Nomograms for flaccid and erect penis length and circumference in up to 15,521 men (BJU Int 2015)

For some men the worry becomes constant and distressing, with repeated checking and comparing. This can be a form of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental health condition in which a person worries intensely about a flaw others often cannot see. The NHS lists cognitive behavioral therapy and SSRI antidepressants as the main treatments. The EAU guidelines strongly recommend referring men with suspected BDD for mental health care rather than offering cosmetic procedures.

Source: NHS — Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD); EAU Guidelines — Penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia

When to see a doctor

Get urgent medical help if you develop any of these after taking penis enlargement pills or another sexual enhancement product:

• Chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness or a racing or irregular heartbeat, especially if you also take nitrate medicines.
• An erection that lasts more than four hours or is painful.
• Sudden loss of vision or hearing, a seizure, or severe headache.
• Pain or swelling in one leg, or sudden shortness of breath, which can signal a blood clot.

Instead of buying penis enlargement pills, book a routine appointment if your erections have become weaker, your penis seems to be shortening or curving, or worry about size is affecting your relationships or mood. A urologist can check for erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease or a buried penis, all of which can make the penis look smaller and all of which have proper treatments. See our erectile dysfunction treatment page for the options.

Source: FDA — Erectus Plus may be harmful due to hidden drug ingredients (2026); MedlinePlus — Sildenafil; NCCIH — Yohimbe: Usefulness and Safety; Cleveland Clinic — Male Enhancement: Can You Make Your Penis Bigger?

If you are thinking about any size treatment, you can get a confidential, honest assessment from our urologist-andrologist first; message us on WhatsApp or read more on our penis enlargement treatment page.

FAQs about penis enlargement pills

Do penis enlargement pills really work?

No. The International Society for Sexual Medicine says there is no scientific evidence that any non-surgical method, including supplements, increases penis length or girth. Cleveland Clinic urologists list pills, tablets, gummies and creams among the products that do not work. Any change a man notices from penis enlargement pills is usually a firmer erection from a hidden drug, not real growth.

Source: ISSM — Can a man make his penis larger?

Are penis enlargement pills safe?

Many penis enlargement pills are not. The FDA has repeatedly found undeclared sildenafil, tadalafil and even testosterone in sexual enhancement products sold as natural supplements. These hidden drugs can lower blood pressure dangerously with nitrate heart medicines, and doses vary from batch to batch. The FDA advises talking to a health professional before trying any such product.

Source: FDA — Sexual Enhancement and Energy Product Notifications

Why do some men say the pills made them bigger?

Laboratory studies have found erection drugs such as sildenafil in most tested “herbal” sexual enhancement products. A firmer, fuller erection can feel like growth, but it fades when the drug wears off. Measurement errors, expectations and marketing also play a part. No study has shown lasting tissue growth from penis enlargement pills or any other oral product.

Source: PubMed — Campbell et al. (J Sex Med 2013)

Does Viagra or Cialis make your penis bigger?

Prescription erection drugs such as sildenafil and tadalafil treat erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow during arousal. They can restore a full, firm erection in men whose erections had become weak, but they do not add erectile tissue or permanently change length or girth, and neither do penis enlargement pills. Taking them without medical advice is risky if you use nitrates.

Source: MedlinePlus — Sildenafil

Can testosterone pills increase penis size?

Not in adults. Hormones help penile growth only before and during puberty, which is why they are used for boys with true micropenis. The European Association of Urology strongly advises against testosterone or other hormones to increase penis size after puberty. Unprescribed testosterone can also cause blood clots, liver problems and prostate effects, according to the FDA.

Source: EAU Guidelines — Penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia; FDA — Erectus Plus notice (2026)

Are herbal male enhancement supplements legal?

Supplements can be sold without proving they work, but selling products with hidden prescription drugs or false claims is illegal. The FDA issues public warnings about tainted products, and the FTC has taken action against sellers of penis enlargement pills who claimed permanent results. A product being on sale in a shop or online marketplace does not mean it was checked.

Source: FTC — VPXL spam network action (2008); PubMed — Tucker et al. (JAMA Netw Open 2018)

Is there any proven way to increase penis size?

Only a few options have any evidence, and gains are modest. Traction devices worn daily for months can add a small amount of length, and hyaluronic acid fillers can add temporary girth in selected men. Surgical grafts and implants carry real risks and are considered experimental by European guidelines. Penis enlargement pills are not among them, and a medical assessment should come first.

Source: EAU Guidelines — Penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia

What should I do if I already took penis enlargement pills?

Stop taking the penis enlargement pills and keep the package. If you have chest pain, fainting, an erection lasting over four hours or other severe symptoms, seek emergency care and say what you took. Otherwise, tell your doctor, especially if you take heart or blood pressure medicines. In the US you can report side effects through the FDA’s MedWatch program.

Source: FDA — Sexual Enhancement and Energy Product Notifications