What is Jelqing and Does It Really Enlarge Penises?

Jelqing is a specific type of exercise performed for the purpose of increasing penis size. It involves massaging or pulling one’s penis with either finger or with an especially designed device. Since the penis consists of ‘penile tissue’, the idea is to stretch it, creating micro-tears (similar to the concept of muscle building), hopefully leading to the thickening and expansion of the area as it repairs.

However, there’s often a significant loophole in this plan pointed out by people who don’t believe in Jelqing, that’s the fact that the penis isn’t the same as our biceps. It’s just not a muscle. Yet, it’s long remained a mystery whether it actually works or not. People on the internet claim to have gained centimeters, while others tag it as a complete hoax that could never work. It’s almost like homeopathy at this point – people don’t believe in it, but it seems to be working for some, without any considerable scientific evidence backing either of them.

Although the basic procedure of jelqing is laid out in the definition above, it’s not always that simple. There are several ways and types of jelqing repetitions. Different information sources about it put forth many variations, but they all have some technique in common. Here’s what that consensus seems to lie in;

• Step 1: Make an “OK” sign with your thumb and index finger (or a pinching gesture with the tips of your thumb and index finger).
• Step 2: Lubricate the shaft of the penis all the way through, and get it somewhat hard with a partial erection.
• Step 3: Using your fingers, stretch it while pulling it downward, with the ring of your OK gesture moving all the way from the base to the tip.

This is the basic way of doing it with just one’s fingers. However, innovations have been seen in this concept with contraptions and particularly designed devices in the market such as ‘the Penilizer’. These are made to grip the penis with plastic arms or traction rollers to replace your fingers.

Unlike homeopathy, whether or not jelqing actually works, it sure does come with real risks of injury. These aren’t just some negligible minuscule risks, and you’ll understand that when we take a closer look at the penis’s anatomy and what exactly could go wrong.

The penis consists of a unique spongy tissue, which in biological terms is called the ‘corpus cavernosum’. When you’re aroused, it fills up with blood which leads to serious expansion during an erection. This blood flow is mainly supported by two arteries that are situated on either side of the penis. During an erection, the arteries dilate to maximize the inwards blood flow to the penis. It compresses blood vessels on the outside simultaneously, limiting blood from draining out. What produces sexual pleasure is the thousands of tiny nerve endings contained in the glans of the penis.

When jelqing is practiced regularly, this entire delicate system is put under risk of injury. Bruising, numbness, swelling, or even permanent damage aren’t far-fetched possibilities. Believe it or not, it could even cause erectile dysfunction. Tearing or overstretching veins and arteries around that area could lead to a numb penis and permanent erectile dysfunction. Speaking in more complex terms, if someone ends up tearing the micro-neurological input to the penis, no one can correct that.  

Jelqing by no means a modern concept. It has ancient Arab origins, and the name itself comes from the Persian term ‘Jalq Zadan’ – ‘Jalq’ meaning to masturbate, and ‘Zadan’ meaning to throb or hit. In its ancient form, it was essentially what it is today i.e. squeezing and stroking the shaft base to tip on a partially erect penis.

There have been anecdotal reports of success, there’s absolutely no medical evidence to back any real penis enlargement possibilities with this procedure. It did gain more popularity due to more and more people building and advertising jelqing guides with promises for 2-3 inch gains in size. Whether or not any of those actually work or not, remains a mystery. One thing’s for sure though, if done excessively, regularly, or harshly then tissue scarring, ruptures, numbness in the penis, ED, or disfigurement are real risks.

There’s used to be a super NSFW video on YouTube about Jelqing titled “Proof You Can Get a Larger Penis” - about 5 minutes long. It was possibly one of the most popular sources of information on the internet for Jelqing, evident from the fact that it had garnered over 27 million views since being posted back in 2016. In it, the purveyor confidently claims to have gained over three whole inches in his penis girth while erect in a couple of years of jelqing. You can’t find that video up on the site anymore though (perhaps it was too NSFW?).

Yet, there’s no lack of info about it on the web (or, as medical professionals would say ‘misinformation’ about it). With a plethora of Reddit discussions held just on Jelqing, and countless YouTube video tutorials for it, Jelqing is a popular phenomenon that people actually buy into. What’s alarming is the fact that there’s absolutely NO scientific evidence of any of this being plausible, or even possible – let alone true.  

The reviews are mixed, with most people complaining about it not working at all (as you’d expect with the ‘no scientific evidence’ thing), yet others finding some success. This is an idea drafted from some of the Reddit threads held on the topic, with people chipping in their experiences and results after trying it for an extensive period of time.

Does it really work? Well, not really, but maybe though. That’s vague, but it’s as clear as you can get while talking about jelqing results.

The entirety of current scientific research and knowledge on the matter leads towards a ‘no’ for getting positive enlargement results from jelqing. However, some professionals do believe that the research held so far is insufficient to make clear judgments on a yes or a no for the plausibility of jelqing.

To somewhat find a clear answer, let’s look at some of the scientific studies that have explored jelqing possibilities with similar (but more aggressive) stretching exercises, using traction contraptions. Keep in mind though, the risks mentioned above in the article are always there, no matter which way or type of jelqing is being considered.  

• According to a 2011 study, traction devices were found to be successful in enlarging penis size by an inch or smaller, if worn properly for 9 hours a day, consecutively for 3 months.
• A 2011 review found that traction devices could produce results comparable to that of surgery, though came with its own risks. It recommended traction devices as a first-line treatment for penis enlargement.

• According to a 2013 review of studies held specifically on traction devices, traction devices treated penis deformities effectively but did not increase penis length or girth at all.
• A report in 2016 claims to have found no considerable effects of traction devices on penis lengthening or thickening. It did mention that larger studies would be needed to claim anything with more authority.

When it comes to looking for reliable, permanent results, your best bet is penis enlargement surgery. Several different types of those are available, ranging from inserting permanent implants to snipping the penis’s internal ligament, etc. These are reliable ways of increasing penis girth and length.

It’s worth noting that most jelqing and other techniques that resemble it have found to be more or less useless in producing permanent results, just like ‘male enhancement’ supplements being sold on the market. These techniques might do more harm than good in the long run.

Yes, there’s some evidence of traction devices being effective at making the penis longer and correcting deformities without surgery. It involves wearing a stretching contraption on your penis under your clothes for about 8-9 hours a day. However, that too comes with its own risks of causing injury and permanent damage to the penis.

Yes, jelqing with traction devices has found some success in penis enlargement. But, before putting your penis into one of these devices, hoping to somehow gain one centimeter, or at best, an inch, ask yourself if it’s worth it. Is it something your partner really wants, or is it just an insecurity in your head that makes you think they’ll care for an additional inch? It’s a butt-ton of discomfort for 3-4 consecutive months, with no guarantee of any significant results, and genuine risks of causing permanent damage. So, think it through before you get your manhood into one of these devices!