Jelqing is a technique some people use to try to enlarge their penis. The practice, which consists of exercises that pull and stretch the penis, has become more popular in recent years thanks to social media and blog posts that promote jelqing.
People try jelqing because they think their penis is too small. Almost half of men in one survey said they were unhappy with the size of their penis and wanted a larger one. Feeling upset over the size of your penis is called “small penis anxiety” or “short penis syndrome.” In reality, most men who think they have a small penis are at least average sized, which is about 5 inches (13 centimeters) when erect.
Worry over penis size isn’t new. Many cultures throughout the centuries have used various methods of stretching to increase penis length. Male members of tribes in Africa, Peru, and India hung weights from their penis to stretch it. Ancient Greeks wrapped a leather strip called a kynodesme around part of their foreskin to lengthen it. Ancient Indians rubbed their organs with insect bristles and oils. These irritants likely caused an immune system reaction that made the penis swell.
Jelqing reportedly started with Sudanese tribes in the Middle East, although these claims have not been confirmed. The practice may have been part of a tradition in which fathers prepared their sons for marriage.
There isn’t any scientific evidence to confirm whether jelqing permanently increases penis size. And because the technique could cause injury, it may be risky to do.
How to Jelq
Because jelqing isn’t a proven way to lengthen the penis, there aren’t any science-based methods of doing it. The techniques that do exist mainly come from websites and internet forums and are unproven.
Jelqing techniques
In the jelqing technique that’s often promoted online, you:
- Start with your penis almost (but not fully) erect.
- Apply a lubricant like unscented lotion or Vaseline to your penis.
- Wrap your index finger and thumb in a circle around the base of your penis until the two fingers touch. Tighten the circle just enough to put pressure on your penis.
- Then repeatedly slide your fingers from the base up to the head, pulling with pressure to stretch your penis.
- Jelq for 5 to 20 minutes at a time each day.
Stop jelqing right away if you feel any pain or your penis gets erect.
Does Jelqing Work?
Jelqing pushes blood to the tip of the penis. It also stretches the tissue inside the penis and the skin on the outside to try to increase the size.
People who promote jelqing say that it changes the shape of the penis by making tiny tears called microtears in the tissue. The idea behind it comes from weightlifting. When you lift weights, you create small tears in your muscles. As the muscles heal, they get bigger and stronger.
The problem with this theory is that muscles like the biceps or quadriceps are different from muscles in the penis. The muscles that you build while weightlifting are skeletal muscles. The muscles in the blood vessels of the penis are smooth muscles that widen to allow blood to flow in and give you an erection.
One condition where jelqing benefits are more obvious is Peyronie’s disease. Peyronie’s happens when scar tissue forms under the skin of the penis and causes painful curved erections. Stretching exercises straighten the curve and add length. But i’s hard to confirm whether jelqing works for people without Peyronie’s because there haven’t been any high-quality clinical trials to test it for penis lengthening.
The jelqing exercise isn’t the only technique meant to increase penis size. Others include creams and pills, injections, vacuum pumps, and penis extenders. Almost none of these methods work, according to the American Urological Association (AUA).
Here’s a recap of the research on penis lengthening products:
Penile extenders (also called penile traction devices). These devices put tension on the penis to gradually stretch it. You’d need to use them for at least 4 to 6 hours a day over a few months to see any difference. Even then, penile extenders only increase the length of a flaccid penis by less than 2 centimeters.
Pills and lotions. Makers of these products claim that the herbs, hormones, or vitamins they contain enlarge the penis. None of these products are proven to work, and some may cause side effects.
Injections. Hyaluronic acid and platelet enriched plasma (PRP) are some of the substances injected to enlarge the penis. While these products increased penis girth (the measurement around the penis) in studies, they didn’t increase length and they caused a lot of side effects.
Vacuum pumps. These devices are also a treatment for erectile dysfunction. Vacuum pumps pull blood into the penis to make it swell, but they don’t seem to increase length.
Surgery. The most common procedure cuts the ligament that attaches the penis to the pubic bone. This makes the penis look larger because more of it hangs down, but it doesn’t increase the length. Other procedures inject fat from another part of the body, implant material under the skin of the penis, or sew a piece of skin and fat from another part of the body onto the penis to make it look bigger. While surgery may increase penis size in some men, it can also cause complications like infections, scarring, and a loss of feeling in the penis.
The AUA says the only reason to consider stretching the penis is if you have “micropenis.” Doctors define micropenis as a stretched length of less than 3 inches.
Jelqing Exercise Side Effects
Pulling and stretching can cause damage to the skin of the penis. Jelqing side effects include:
- Pain and soreness
- Bruises on the penis
- Skin irritation
Over time, jelqing can make scar tissue or hard deposits called plaques form inside the penis. The scars could lead to Peyronie’s disease. Some people who practice jelqing develop erectile dysfunction, which means they have trouble getting an erection.
Takeaways
If you’re thinking about trying jelqing to increase your penis size, keep in mind that doctors and medical organizations don’t recommend it. There’s no scientific evidence that it works, and it might cause side effects like pain, irritation, and bruises. Rarely, jelqing can cause curving of the penis or erectile dysfunction.
Talk to a doctor or sex therapist before you try jelqing or any other technique you find online. It’s perfectly normal to feel unhappy with the size of your penis. Talking to a therapist could make you feel better about your size, without the need for jelqing or any other risky penis enlargement techniques.
Jelqing FAQs
What is the history of jelqing?
Penis lengthening has been around for centuries. The jelqing technique is thought to have started with Sudanese tribes in the Middle East. It may have been part of a tradition that prepared young men for marriage.
Is it safe to do jelqing every day?
Jelqing is safe if you lubricate your penis and you don’t do it for more than 20 minutes at a time. But it does come with risks like pain, bruising, and skin irritation from rubbing. In rare cases, jelqing often could cause Peyronie’s disease or erectile dysfunction.
How long will jelqing take?
It’s hard to know how long it takes for jelqing results because research on this technique is lacking. People who promote jelqing recommend doing it for 5 to 20 minutes each day.
