Editor’s Note (September 2026): This article was originally published in February 2021 and reflects the research available at that time. It has been reviewed for medical accuracy, clarity, and formatting. Claims about the degree of penile lengthening and the strength of evidence for penile traction have been clarified. The original publication date and historical context have been preserved.
Key Takeaways
Penile traction devices may produce modest increases in penile length when used consistently, but results vary and the available evidence has limitations.
Penile traction has also been studied as a nonsurgical option for some men with Peyronie’s disease, with research suggesting possible improvements in length and curvature.
Claims that penile extenders can reliably add several inches are not supported by good clinical evidence, and improper use may cause pain or injury.
Penile extenders, also called penile traction devices, are mechanical devices designed to apply gradual tension to the penis. They have been studied both for penile lengthening and as a nonsurgical treatment for some of the changes associated with Peyronie’s disease.
Research available by early 2021 suggested that traction could produce modest increases in penile length in some men. However, studies varied considerably in their size, design, devices used, and treatment schedules.
How Do Penile Extenders Work?
Traditional penile traction devices generally use supports positioned around the base of the penis and near the glans, connected by adjustable rods or another tension-producing mechanism.
The device applies controlled mechanical traction over time. This is based on the principle that tissues can gradually adapt to sustained mechanical tension, a process sometimes described as mechanotransduction.
Unlike surgery, traction does not require incisions or injections. However, treatment protocols studied at the time commonly required regular use over several months.
Can Penile Extenders Increase Penis Length?
Some studies suggest that penile traction can produce modest increases in length, but expectations should be realistic.
In a small 2009 prospective study, 15 men concerned about having a short penis were instructed to use a penile extender for several hours per day over six months. Researchers reported an average increase of approximately 2.3 cm in flaccid penile length and 1.7 cm in stretched length.
The study had important limitations. It involved very few participants and did not include a randomized control group, meaning its results should not be assumed to apply to everyone who uses a traction device.
A systematic review published in 2020 also examined surgical and nonsurgical interventions among men with normal-sized penises who were concerned about their size. The researchers concluded that the overall quality of evidence supporting penile enhancement procedures was limited.
Therefore, while traction may increase penile length in some users, claims of dramatic or guaranteed enlargement are not supported by strong clinical evidence.
Penile Traction and Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease occurs when fibrous scar tissue, known as plaque, develops within the penis. It can cause curvature, shortening, narrowing, painful erections and difficulties with sexual intercourse.
Penile traction has been investigated as a nonsurgical approach for some men with the condition.
A review published in Translational Andrology and Urology examined the available evidence and found that several studies reported improvements in penile length and curvature. However, the researchers also highlighted significant limitations, including small study populations, possible selection bias and differences between treatment protocols.
A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis also found that adjunct penile traction was associated with an improvement in stretched penile length in men receiving treatment for Peyronie’s disease.
These findings suggest that traction may be useful for selected patients, but they do not mean that every person with Peyronie’s disease will benefit. Appropriate treatment depends on factors such as symptoms, disease stage, penile curvature and erectile function.
Risks and Limitations
Penile traction is nonsurgical, but it is not risk-free.
Reported adverse effects include discomfort, temporary redness, skin irritation and changes in sensation. Excessive tension, prolonged use beyond recommended protocols or incorrect placement may increase the risk of injury.
Another limitation is the time commitment. Some of the traditional devices studied required several hours of daily use over a period of months. This can make adherence difficult.
There was also no universally established traction schedule that was appropriate for every patient.
Anyone experiencing significant pain, bruising, numbness, skin injury or other concerning symptoms while using a traction device should stop using it and seek medical advice.
What About Vacuum Pumps and Manual Exercises?
Vacuum erection devices draw blood into the penis and have established medical applications, particularly in the management of erectile dysfunction. The temporary enlargement produced during use should not be confused with permanent penile growth.
Evidence that routine vacuum-pump use permanently increases the length of a normal penis is limited.
Manual enlargement techniques such as “jelqing” are also widely promoted online. However, reliable clinical evidence demonstrating permanent penile enlargement from these exercises is lacking, and aggressive manipulation may cause injury.
Men who have a penis within the normal size range but experience persistent distress about its appearance or size may benefit from discussing these concerns with an appropriate healthcare professional before pursuing enlargement procedures.
When to Talk to a Urologist
A urologist can help determine whether penile traction is appropriate, particularly for someone with Peyronie’s disease, erectile dysfunction, penile pain or a significant change in penile shape or length.
Professional evaluation is also important before attempting treatment for what appears to be an unusually small penis. Perceived size and medically abnormal penile size are not necessarily the same thing.
Treatment decisions should be based on an individual’s medical circumstances rather than claims made by manufacturers or advertisements for enlargement products.
Final Thoughts
Evidence available by early 2021 suggested that penile traction devices could produce modest increases in penile length in some men and might have a role in treating selected patients with Peyronie’s disease.
However, the evidence had important limitations, and results should not be exaggerated. Increases reported in clinical studies were generally measured in centimeters, and successful treatment often required consistent use over several months.
Penile extenders should therefore not be viewed as a guaranteed method of enlargement. Men considering traction—particularly those with Peyronie’s disease, erectile dysfunction or other penile symptoms—should discuss the potential benefits, limitations and safe use of these devices with a urologist.
References
Gontero, P., Di Marco, M., Giubilei, G., Bartoletti, R., Pappagallo, G., Tizzani, A., & Mondaini, N. (2009). A pilot phase-II prospective study to test the efficacy and tolerability of a penile-extender device in the treatment of short penis. BJU International, 103(6), 793–797. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2008.08083.x
Haney, N. M., Kohn, T. P., Nichols, P. E., & Hellstrom, W. J. G. (2018). The effect of adjunct mechanical traction on penile length in men undergoing primary treatment for Peyronie’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Urology, 122, 110–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2018.07.039
Marra, G., Drury, A., Tran, L., Veale, D., & Muir, G. H. (2020). Systematic review of surgical and nonsurgical interventions in normal men complaining of small penis size. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 8(1), 158–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.01.004
Usta, M. F., & Ipekci, T. (2016). Penile traction therapy for Peyronie’s disease—What’s the evidence? Translational Andrology and Urology, 5(3), 303–309. https://doi.org/10.21037/tau.2016.03.25