What is penis enlargement surgery and can you get it on the NHS?
FOR many men, going under the knife to increase the size of their manhood is a step too far.
But for those after an improved look or feel then penis enlargement surgery could be an option - and some may be eligible for it under the NHS.
From the different types of procedures available, to their cost and longevity, here's all you need to know about how to grow your penis surgically.
What is penis enlargement surgery?
There are two main types of penis enlargement surgery, according to .
The first claims to make your todger longer when it's not erect. To achieve this, a surgeon cuts into one of the ligaments which attach the penis to the hip bone.
This drops the angle of the penis, which makes it longer when it’s flaccid, Superdrug said.
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"On average, successful penis lengthening surgery increases the length of the flaccid penis by 0.65-1.8cm," the chemist went on.
But it noted: "There’s no change to the length of the penis when it’s completely erect."
You can also surgically make your penis larger by widening it. A surgeon will take take fat from other parts of the body and transplant it into the penis to get this result.
This type of procedure on average increases your girth by 1.5 to 3.35 cm when flaccid or 1.2 to 2.75 cm when erect, according to Superdrug.
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But it noted that there are drawback to this surgery - indicate that your body can reabsorb up to 30 per cent of the fat injected into your penis in the first two months after the procedure.
And some men might experience scarring or changes in the shape of their penis.
Men can also opt for a penile implant surgery - this won't increase your penis size but it can help improve erections if other erectile dysfunction treatments haven’t worked.
Can you get penis enlargement surgery on the NHS?
According to Superdrug Online Doctor, you can only get penis enlargement surgery via the NHS if you have a micro-penis, measuring less 2.8 inches - or 7 cm.
For reference, it's thought the average penis in the UK ranges from 3.5 to 5.8 inches.
That qualifies very few Brits for a free penis enlargement procedure procedure. But if you think your penis size would qualify you for NHS care, notes that a referral from your GP would normally be required to see an NHS urologist.
In most cases, people seeking penis enlargement surgery will have to pay privately for it.
How much does penis enlargement surgery cost?
Penis enlargement surgery can be pretty expensive.
Private clinics tend to charge a £100 - £250 consultation fee and will be tight-lipped about the price of a procedure without one.
The cost of penis enlargement surgery can varies depending on the clinic, the type of surgery, and the intended results.
Superdrug estimated that the following prices for procedures:
- Penis Enlargement Injections: £1,000 - £2,500
- Girth Enlargement Surgery: £2,500 - £6,000+
- Length Enlargement Surgery: £2,500 - £6,000+
Surgeries to increase both length and girth can cost significantly more, it added.
London-based charges between £7,300 and £8,300 for its surgical penis enlargement treatments.
But the private medical clinic noted: "We don’t follow a one-price-fits-all policy and prices are quoted on a case by case basis as assessed by our experienced surgeons."
Meanwhile, Androfil quoted prospective patients £5,800 penis lengthening surgery and £7,000 for a procedure that claimed to increase both the length and girth of the appendage.
What are penis enlargement pills and do they work?
There are a number of pills on the market containing hormones, that claim to make the penis larger.
But there is very little evidence to suggest these work and may even contain dangerous substances.
Professor Kevan Wylie, a sexual medicine consultant, previously told the NHS they're a "complete waste of time".
Superdrug, International Andrology and Androfil all said pills can do nothing to increase the size of your soldier.
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Pills like Viagra, meanwhile, won't make your penis bigger, but they may improve blood flow to it and help you hold an erection if you struggle to maintain one in the first place.
A second over-the-counter pill for erectile dysfunction called Cialis was made a available in Boots this month, amidst claims a tablet can last up to 36 hours.