So you’ve been having bad experiences in the bedroom, you’re feeling self-conscious about your performance and a little voice in your head is suggesting that maybe the issue isn’t technique or talents, but size. Do you need to be bigger? Should you consider options like growth hormone?
There are many products on the market for “male enhancement.” Some products say they’ll give you extra inches and others say they’ll give you extra hours. Some products are pills and some are packets of powder.
Some are just collections of herbs sold by a guy who doesn’t look like he sleeps much, but you’re standing in an alleyway behind a tire shop, so what do you expect?
From surgeries to gas station pills, there are a seemingly endless buffet of options for a guy who’s unhappy with how he performs in intimate situations. A growth hormone doesn’t really sound all that crazy compared to products that involve weeds and goats, now does it?
If you’re wondering if privates growth hormone is a viable option for your needs, that may be something we can help answer. What is growth hormone, and how does it work? Does it work at all? Is it safe?
Let’s start with the basics.
What Is “Male Enhancement” Growth Hormone?
If you’re surprised to hear “Male Enhancement” growth hormone is “a thing,” we get it. Technically, this hormone is actually just a hormone for intimacy that occurs in increased concentrations in your body as a child and later as an adolescent.
While human growth hormone is the real “growth hormone” as far as medicine is concerned, when it comes to your privates, the intimacy hormone that promotes growth is testosterone.
Testosterone is responsible for the growth and development of the privates.
It’s also generally responsible for intimate development and also has a hand in guiding the intensity of your libido.
In contrast, human growth hormone, or somatotropin, is responsible for things like bone density and other literal “growing up” characteristics in a child’s maturation. It also has some metabolic effects, but we’re only focusing on privates size for now.
It’s normal to occasionally think about how your privates compares to others. In fact, just about every guy has wondered how their privates size stacks up to the average at least once in their life, here you can learn more about enlargement pills and if they actually work.
How Does Growth Hormone Work?
To understand privates growth, it helps to look at the concept of a micro-privates.
Micro-privates are very rare — only about 1.5 in 10,000 newborns in the United States are diagnosed with this condition (which means you probably don’t have it), but it nevertheless is a good way for us to discuss how hormones and your privates size are related.
A problem with the intimacy hormone testosterone is frequently the cause of a micro-privates. As a child matures, increased testosterone is secreted into the body, which makes the privates and other body parts mature and grow.
Frequently, children with a micro-privates (and adults for that matter) had problems with testosterone when they were growing up. In some cases, the privates didn’t respond properly to testosterone. In other cases, there was inadequate testosterone present.
In adults, the criteria for micro-privates is anything that reaches a stretched length under 3.67 inches. We got those numbers from data that suggests that the average size or average stretched length in adult males is about 5.25 inches, for context.
When patients with micro-privates are discovered early enough, treatments with surgery and testosterone therapy can help that baby or child “catch up” in growth by the time they reach adulthood.
How hormones for phallic growth work depend on the age of the patient and the severity of the problem.
Children may receive weekly hormone injections to correct the problem, while babies may receive testosterone just once a month.
In one 2013 trial, 25 children from the age of three to fourteen who were clinically diagnosed received testosterone, privates growth hormone.
The results of these treatments yielded signs of growth during childhood, and many of the children in the study ended up with normal privates size by the time they reached adulthood.
But that’s the data we have for privates growth hormones in children.
We’re guessing most of the people reading this are adults with an eye toward correcting an existing micro-privates problem, or more likely just adding some length to an otherwise normal-range privates.
So, what are the odds that you can pull that off? Not great.
Does Growth Hormone Work?
We do know that testosterone therapy works to correct micro-privates in many children with insufficient testosterone. Other approaches include 5-a Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Treatments, or in rare cases Human Growth Hormone, depending on the underlying cause.
Studies have proven that appropriate treatment, over time, can correct early-life micro-privates issues and help a patient with micro-privates achieve “normal” size by adulthood.
However, that’s where the good news ends.
There are no trials showing that testosterone, human growth hormone, or other treatments are effective in increasing privates size in adults, particularly if they’re already out of puberty.
In these cases, it’s important to understand a couple of things:
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People with a micro-privates can still have normal function in intimate activity.
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So can people who are concerned about their privates size, even if it is within normal
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A satisfying intimate life is still possible.
Finding ways to achieve comfort in intimacy that may be bothering you might be better served with a trip to a therapy professional than hormone or other treatments — especially since there’s no proof that later-in-life hormones could ever increase your privates size.
And then there are the side effects to consider.
The Side Effects of Growth Hormone
If we’re being honest, there are very specific conditions where testosterone supplements are indicated, but increasing privates size in adults is not one of them.
Excess testosterone levels can lead to hirsutism (excess hair growth), acne and male pattern baldness, among other issues.
Research shows that taking testosterone can cause the privates to shrink, limit your sperm production, worsen sleep apnea, or result in too much red blood cell production, which contributes to the increased risk of forming a blood clot.
As a general rule, it’s best not to take hormones that aren’t prescribed for your use by a healthcare professional, and no healthcare provider is going to prescribe testosterone so you can take five inches to seven.
Other Methods for Privates Enlargement
Bummed by the news? We get it. But even though growth hormone likely can’t help you, there are alternatives out there.
Things like stretching surgery and pills all claim to deliver results, but in the big picture, the proverbial juice may not be worth the squeeze.
Let’s start with stretching. You use a traction device to, yes, stretch your privates. Sometimes called jelqing, stretching is a medically unproven technique and even when you involve vacuum pumps, stretching techniques are neither effective nor permanent.
Then there are those gas station pills we mentioned at the beginning.
Sort of a pre-workout supplement for your privates, these pills have been covered at length, with almost all bad news.
Not only are these treatments lacking in medical proof, but many studies (and some government agencies) have found them to be particularly dangerous because they sometimes (like in the case of so-called “herb Viagra”) illegally contain ingredients they’re not supposed to include.
And last, there’s going under the knife.
There are several types of enhancement surgeries on the market that include everything from inserting implants into the shaft of the privates to cutting ligaments and grafting skin.
There are surgeries that can physically lengthen your privates, surgeries that incorporate prosthetics into the mix, surgeries that transfer fat from one area of the body to your privates— you have plenty of options here.
One thing to note here is that these surgeries are usually both pretty serious and expensive — with varying results and risk for complications.
Even the Penuma implant (which is basically a breast implant but for your privates) is only FDA approved for privates girth.
Any time you try and take a shortcut to make your privates bigger, you’re running a substantial risk of injuring it. Most men wish they were bigger, but chances are, size isn’t your problem — it’s something like confidence, stamina, PE or ED.
PE is a common issue, and it’s perfectly normal to feel self-conscious about how long you last in bed, if you’re interested you can learn more about PE here.
Growth Hormone: What You Really Need to Know
Regardless of adult micro-privates criteria, if you’re concerned about your privates size, talk to someone.
It may be the partner you’re worried about pleasing, or a healthcare provider who can talk to you about other options for increasing your size (which include surgeries, vacuum pumps and other things).
You might also want to talk to a mental health professional. While size matters to a degree, the evolution of toys has sort of evened the playing field for men who just want to please their partner — not win measuring contests.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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Viagra: What It Treats & Its Side Effects ( Plus What It Was Originally Used For)
Whether you’re a senior in high school or a senior-living resident, you’ve likely heard of Viagra (sildenafil) — the original medication for ED. Most men and women know at least vaguely what Viagra does, but not everyone knows how it does it.
So, what is Viagra, exactly, and how does it work?
Below, we’ll explain the origin story of Viagra, what this boner-benefitting pill can do, the benefits of Viagra for men, and the potential side effects of taking it.
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What Is Viagra?
Viagra is a medication for ED that can help adult men of all ages. This prescription drug is taken as needed to get and maintain hard during intimacy. As long as it’s used as directed, it’s considered safe and effective.
What Is Viagra/Sildenafil Used For?
What is sildenafil used for? Generic sildenafil (and brand-name Viagra) is a medication for the treatment of ED, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
To understand how Viagra works, we need to look at ED briefly.
The muscles regulating blood flow and supporting staying hard after stimulation can sometimes malfunction. This is thanks to an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). Viagra inhibits PDE5 and acts as a vasodilator (something that dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow).
A single tablet of sildenafil can do that — typically, one dose is all that’s required to produce a firmer, longer-lasting hardness. Studies have shown a 70 to 80 percent success rate in patients who use this treatment.
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Since 1998, the Pfizer-created drug sildenafil citrate has been a reliable treatment for the management of ED. But the active ingredient began its clinical journey as a medication intended to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest pain due to high blood pressure).
Sildenafil can still be used to treat hypertension, but today, the primary use of this PDE5 inhibitor is to remedy ED. Other first-line treatment options for blood pressure and heart disease are now considered before Viagra.
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Plenty of claims have been made about the health benefits of Viagra for men. Sildenafil’s ability to increase blood flow makes the medication useful for managing other conditions.
Some sources suggest Viagra might make you last longer in bed, and others say it’s good for heart health. But while this medication can help with the management of ED, it’s not a one-stop shop for every improvement you’d like to achieve.
With that in mind, you should know that Viagra won’t increase privates size, it may not boost your drive, and it hasn’t really been shown to prevent tiredness during intimacy. We’re not just saying that, either — a study on 60 men confirmed this.
Not all claims about Viagra have been supported by enough science to convince us — let alone the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) — of their validity.
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There are a few other potential uses for sildenafil.
Viagra might help with:
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension
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Mountain sickness
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Raynaud’s phenomenon
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Heart disease
Below, we’ll explain the different sildenafil uses and how the medication might affect people with these conditions.
(Related: The Best ED Pills for Men)
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious condition that happens when the tiny vessels in your lungs narrow, resulting in high blood pressure.
Normally, the pulmonary artery supplies oxygen-filled blood from the lungs to the heart. But with this condition, the arteries are blocked, narrowed, or even destroyed, preventing healthy blood flow.
When that happens, blood pressure in the lungs increases, and the heart has to work harder to get blood through those tiny arteries — a process that can eventually tire out the lungs, potentially causing heart failure.
Viagra can help reduce blood pressure in the lungs within its role as a vasodilator — essentially, it can do for your lungs what it does for your privates. Sildenafil lowers blood pressure in the lungs so the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood away.
In a study comparing the effects of sildenafil and bosentan (a popular drug for managing PAH), sildenafil was found to be just as effective in managing the condition when combined with other therapies, like diuretics.
Sildenafil for managing PAH is marketed under the name Revatio with a particular dosage. It’s one of several FDA-approved treatments for the condition.
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Beyond a massive adrenaline rush, mountain climbing can come with a bout of altitude sickness, sometimes called mountain sickness.
Some reports say that since Viagra can widen blood vessels, it can increase blood flow through the heart, permitting more oxygen to the lungs and improving oxygen supply to the rest of the body.
One study tested this theory in ten cyclists riding at a high altitude. The medication was found to improve heart function and blood oxygen levels. It also enhanced performance levels in some participants.
That said, ten cyclists is hardly enough to convince us (let alone the FDA) to approve something as a treatment.
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During a Raynaud’s phenomenon (sometimes called a Raynaud’s attack), blood flow to the hands and feet is reduced. This makes them feel numb and cold.
Episodes can happen when you’re exposed to cold temperatures or are under emotional stress.
Raynaud’s phenomenon is usually more annoying than serious — although severe (and rare) cases can lead to tissue death in the hands or feet, which could require amputation.
Viagra’s ability to decrease the number of attacks in people affected by the phenomenon was confirmed in a small study. Participants started off on 100 milligrams of sildenafil for three days before moving on to 200 milligrams for two days. The medication seemed to treat the condition and was well tolerated.
Viagra is definitely not an appropriate first-line treatment for Raynaud’s phenomenon, but in situations where more common medications have failed, it could be an option.
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One of the most common forms of heart failure happens when the left heart ventricle (responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body) can’t effectively do its job. This causes blood to back up into the lungs, which can lead to fluid buildup.
In at least one study, regular long-term use of sildenafil was shown to improve left ventricle function while strengthening the structure of a failing left ventricle.
Sildenafil’s role as a PDE5 inhibitor might help prevent the thickening of heart muscles, a feature that makes it difficult to pump blood. Viagra has also shown real promise for increasing the amount of blood pumped by the heart, but more research is needed.
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Like any medication, side effects of Viagra may come with its many benefits. Still, Viagra is safe when used as directed.
Viagra may cause common side effects, including:
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Flushing
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Nasal congestion
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Headaches
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Back pain and other body aches
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Indigestion (upset stomach or constipation)
These are usually mild and often go away over time. Not sure if something is a side effect of Viagra?
What you really need to watch out for are the more serious side effects, which may include:
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Eye problems, like blurred vision, retinitis pigmentosa, or vision loss
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Chest pain
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Loss of hearing
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Priapism
Sildenafil could also cause an increased risk of heart attack or other heart problems.
If you have an irregular heartbeat, hearing loss, vision loss, an allergic reaction, Peyronie’s disease, or sickle cell anemia, or are being treated for leukemia or other medical conditions, share this with your healthcare provider.
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A word on sildenafil drug interactions: Mixing antihypertensive prescription drugs (hypertension meds) with Viagra may cause low blood pressure. Since the medication has blood pressure-lowering abilities, pairing it with another drug that reduces blood pressure could lead to a dangerous or potentially fatal drop in blood pressure.
Likewise, Viagra shouldn’t be combined with antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS, as it can cause an increased concentration of sildenafil in the body. Breastfeeding women shouldn’t take this medication, either.
Other medications that could cause sildenafil drug interactions include:
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Riociguat
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Saquinavir
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Antifungals (like itraconazole or ketoconazole)
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Antibiotics (like erythromycin)
Because of the risks of this medication, people taking alpha-blockers, over-the-counter nitrate supplements (like amyl nitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, or nitroglycerin) or recreational drugs (like “poppers”) should tell a healthcare professional before taking Viagra.
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Viagra usually starts working 30 to 60 minutes after taking it. But simply swallowing the little blue pill won’t automatically make you hard — you still have to be aroused, either through mental or physical stimulation.
Can You Make Viagra Work Faster?
Some guys might feel the effects of Viagra faster when they take the pill on an empty stomach. Taking it with food, particularly high-fat foods like a burger and fries, can slow it down or even make it less effective.
Stendra (avanafil) is a faster-acting ED medication. This one can start working just 15 minutes after you take it.
How Long Does Viagra Last?
This medication works for about four hours. So after taking Viagra, you should be able to get and maintain being hard enough (again, with stimulation) within that window.
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Viagra has made its way into medicine cabinets the world over as a trusted medication for ED and cardiovascular health. We know intimate activity is supposed to be somewhat off the cuff, but you still shouldn’t take it with abandon.
Using Viagra only as directed by a healthcare provider is vital for avoiding many potentially dangerous side effects that can occur when you go off-script with your prescription.
Interested in trying Viagra? Here are the most important things to know:
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Viagra is a proven treatment for ED. While it may not do anything for your intimate experience in terms of libido, it can have incredible effects if you’re having problems getting hard and maintaining it.
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It’s not the only ED med. Other medications for ED, like Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Stendra (avanafil), may also help.
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Follow the guidance of a medical professional. Always consult a trusted healthcare professional for medical advice on the best ways to use this drug — and let them know about any other meds or supplements you’re taking.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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