Jelqing is an online trend that involves manually stretching one’s penis to encourage growth, but an expert says it’s both ineffective and dangerous.
Like women, many men suffer from body image issues. These insecurities are often related to the size of their penis, so it’s no wonder that jelqing — a trend that claims to increase the size of one’s penis — has taken off online.
Indeed, many men are concerned that their size isn’t enough. One study published in the British Journal of Urology International in 2015 found that only 55% of male respondents were satisfied with the size of their penis.
On social media and in online discussion forums, these insecurities are evidenced by the number of men recommending, explaining, and expressing interest in jelqing.
But many have also taken to the internet, and Reddit in particular, to report negative health consequences of the exercise.
Jelqing involves manually stretching one’s penis on a daily basis in attempt to ultimately increase its size, but Edmond Hakimi, D.O., a dual-board-certified internal medicine physician and the medical director at Wellbridge, says it’s far less effective — and far more dangerous — than many of these online forums often suggest.
I find it absolutely wild that men are listening to medical advice from guys who are like 18-20 years old on social media
undefined Justin Dubin, MD (@justindubinmd) October 4, 2024
TikTok especially is riddled with young men telling other guys to jelq and do other nonsense things to their bodies, which can harm them. Before you listen… https://t.co/BtU4yfTx9T
Does jelqing work?
While content creators claim that jelqing is a technique that increases penis size through manual stretching, Hakimi says there is no scientific evidence to back this up.
Some individuals who try the exercise do claim to notice physical changes from it, but Hakimi says any changes people might notice are likely temporary and due to increased blood flow — not actual growth.
“In short, jelqing does not work as advertised,” Hakimi says, “and it is not safe either.”
The dangers of jelqing
The risks of jelqing, on the other hand, are significant, Hakimi says.
Trying the trend can result in bruising, pain, or even damage to the tissues of the penis. Over time, he says forceful stretching can lead to scar tissue formation, which may result in conditions like Peyronie’s disease, where the penis becomes curved or bent. More severe risks include nerve damage, reduced sensitivity, or even long-term erectile dysfunction.
“These are not minor side effects — they can have lasting consequences on your sexual health,” he says. “People should steer clear of jelqing because the risks are not worth it. There is no proven benefit, and the potential for injury is real.”
If you are concerned about your sexual performance or body image, Hakimi says a much better option is to talk to a healthcare provider who can offer safe, evidence-based advice tailored to your needs without the dangers that come with unproven trends like jelqing.
Trends like jelqing are not only harmful because of the physical risks, Hakimi explains — they also feed into unrealistic body image expectations and prey on insecurities.
“They encourage people to try risky, ineffective methods to change their appearance, often leading to physical harm and emotional distress,” he says.
These trends can also prevent people from addressing underlying health issues like erectile dysfunction, which would likely be much better managed with professional help.
“It is essential to be cautious about following health trends that sound too good,” he says. “Your health and well-being should always come first, and the best place to start is a conversation with a healthcare provider.”
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