What is jelqing? A deep dive into this male enhancement practice

The topic of penis size and shape has long been discussed in pop culture, social groups, and increasingly, on the internet.

Over the years, different techniques for increasing size or girth have circulated and gone in and out of popularity, generally with no real evidence or scientific backing behind them.

Some even date back to ancient cultures [1] — from the Ancient Greeks to the Romans and Middle Eastern traditions, different parts of the world had different types of male enhancement practices and old wives' tales for how to increase penis length or thickness.

Basically, for as long as humans have been around, they have been looking for ways to increase penis size.

If you have ever investigated this, or searched for ways to make your penis bigger, you might have come across a technique called jelqing, which has been gaining popularity and doing the rounds on social media and internet forums.

So what is jelqing, how do you do it, and is it actually legitimate, or just another fad?

What is jelqing?

First things first, jelqing is essentially a massaging and penis stretching exercise which some people claim can increase penile length and girth (thickness) [2].

Some also claim it can improve erectile dysfunction and increase the duration of erections, but it is not a medical treatment.

It involves creating micro tears in the muscle, and the theory is that this works similarly to working out training muscles in the gym. When you lift weights, you create tiny tears in your muscles, and as the micro tears heal, they grow.

However, this is just a theory and is likely flawed, as the penis is really an organ, and its muscle cells are not built or structured like the muscles we train at the gym [3].

Jelqing is believed to have ancient Middle Eastern origins, and some say the technique was used in Sudanese tribes to prepare young men for marriage and sexual intercourse [4][5].

In modern times, penis stretching exercises have been discussed at length (pardon the pun!) on online forums and men's health websites, with many people offering their opinions or personal anecdotes, but there has not been a great deal of scientific evidence or research done in the space.

How do you jelq?

Before we offer any 'how to' instructions for any jelqing exercise, it is important to understand that this is not a medical treatment, so there is no standardized or scientific approach; it is predominantly based on anecdotes.

There is also limited research into jelqing results and whether or not it actually works (more on that later).

However, most articles and forums typically follow a similar routine for jelqing [2].

There are a couple of different jelqing techniques and it can be done either with a device or using your hands. It involves pulling or massaging a semi-erect penis, starting with your thumb and index finger in a circle around the base.

Applying gentle pressure, you then pull your hand toward the head to 'stretch' the penis and continue for up to 20 minutes, making sure the penis does not become fully erect during this time. Jelqing is not designed as a type of masturbation or self-pleasure, and the end goal is not an orgasm.

Some people also do jelqing with equipment like a penis pump, penile traction devices or a penile extender device.

Do jelqing exercises work?

As we've mentioned, there has not been sufficient research done or scientific evidence to say for sure whether jelqing actually works.

One review found vacuum exercise does not typically work to increase penis size, while another found devices can increase length [6][7].

Another study found penis pumps do not significantly increase length, but can increase psychological satisfaction [8].

As we can see, the research has not been conclusive as to whether or not jelqing and other stretching exercises really increase penis size.

Additionally, most of the studies done are either old, had very small sample sizes, or were done a long time ago. More comprehensive modern research would need to be done before we can really recommend these types of practices.

How often should you do jelqing exercises?

In articles and on internet forums, advocates of jelqing suggest doing it daily for between 5 and 20 minutes.

Doing it too often could result in side effects such as pain or discomfort, and impact things like blood vessels and scar tissue (more on that below).

And as we have discussed above, there is no guarantee that it will actually work.

Are there any risks associated with jelqing?

There can be some negative side effects associated with jelqing [2].

It can lead to damaged penile tissue, issues with blood flow, bruising, numbness, skin irritation, redness, and even erectile dysfunction.

It has also been linked to Peyronie's disease, which refers to scar tissue formation under the skin of the penis, and can result in excessively curved erections [9]. These curves can result in painful erections or even pain during sex. Peyronie's disease typically happens as a result of injury.

What can you do instead of jelqing?

If you are concerned about the size of your penis, firstly it is important to understand whether or not your penis is actually on the smaller size or not.

Thanks to pornography and pop culture, unrealistic body standards have been promoted, and many people have developed small penis anxiety and a warped perception of what a 'normal' penis should look like.

The average size of an erect penis is believed to be around 5 to 5 and a half inches (roughly 12.5 to 14cm), but studies have found that many people who think they have a small penis are actually well within the normal size range [10].

If you have serious concerns about the size of your penis, one alternative to jelqing could be penile augmentation or penis enlargement surgery.

However, this also comes with serious risks and the Urology Care Foundation has suggested it should only be done in micropenis cases, which is a medical condition usually diagnosed at birth or in childhood [11][12].

Some people also undergo liposuction around the pubic area to reduce the amount of fat and to increase visibility of the penis or make it appear larger [13].

For a nonsurgical option, some people opt for injections with fillers. While reviews have found that these can increase girth, they are not permanent and also appear to have a high chance of complications [14].

Some people and companies also spruik penis enlargement tablets, but these are typically not medically backed and mostly contain a combination of vitamins.

For anybody concerned about penis size of performance, the first step should be to speak to a doctor or therapist for professional advice. If you are struggling with small penis anxiety, the best solution might be addressing your self-esteem and perceptions.

If you are struggling to get or maintain an erection, a program like Pilot's erectile dysfunction treatment could be helpful. There are different options to suit different needs, with discreet delivery Australia wide and free cancellation any time.

Importantly, you will have the support of qualified medical professionals throughout your journey with the treatment, and you can have ongoing consultations and follow-ups.

Whether you are looking into jelqing, have struggled with erectile dysfunction, or have ever wished you had a larger penis, try not to feel embarrassed about your situation.

The best thing you can do is seek professional advice (don't just rely on social media), address your concerns, and take steps to improve your sex life.

After all, it's not size or what you've got that matters — it's more about how you use it!

The topic of penis size and shape has long been discussed in pop culture, social groups, and increasingly, on the internet.

Over the years, different techniques for increasing size or girth have circulated and gone in and out of popularity, generally with no real evidence or scientific backing behind them.

Some even date back to ancient cultures [1] — from the Ancient Greeks to the Romans and Middle Eastern traditions, different parts of the world had different types of male enhancement practices and old wives' tales for how to increase penis length or thickness.

Basically, for as long as humans have been around, they have been looking for ways to increase penis size.

If you have ever investigated this, or searched for ways to make your penis bigger, you might have come across a technique called jelqing, which has been gaining popularity and doing the rounds on social media and internet forums.

So what is jelqing, how do you do it, and is it actually legitimate, or just another fad?

What is jelqing?

First things first, jelqing is essentially a massaging and penis stretching exercise which some people claim can increase penile length and girth (thickness) [2].

Some also claim it can improve erectile dysfunction and increase the duration of erections, but it is not a medical treatment.

It involves creating micro tears in the muscle, and the theory is that this works similarly to working out training muscles in the gym. When you lift weights, you create tiny tears in your muscles, and as the micro tears heal, they grow.

However, this is just a theory and is likely flawed, as the penis is really an organ, and its muscle cells are not built or structured like the muscles we train at the gym [3].

Jelqing is believed to have ancient Middle Eastern origins, and some say the technique was used in Sudanese tribes to prepare young men for marriage and sexual intercourse [4][5].

In modern times, penis stretching exercises have been discussed at length (pardon the pun!) on online forums and men's health websites, with many people offering their opinions or personal anecdotes, but there has not been a great deal of scientific evidence or research done in the space.

How do you jelq?

Before we offer any 'how to' instructions for any jelqing exercise, it is important to understand that this is not a medical treatment, so there is no standardized or scientific approach; it is predominantly based on anecdotes.

There is also limited research into jelqing results and whether or not it actually works (more on that later).

However, most articles and forums typically follow a similar routine for jelqing [2].

There are a couple of different jelqing techniques and it can be done either with a device or using your hands. It involves pulling or massaging a semi-erect penis, starting with your thumb and index finger in a circle around the base.

Applying gentle pressure, you then pull your hand toward the head to 'stretch' the penis and continue for up to 20 minutes, making sure the penis does not become fully erect during this time. Jelqing is not designed as a type of masturbation or self-pleasure, and the end goal is not an orgasm.

Some people also do jelqing with equipment like a penis pump, penile traction devices or a penile extender device.

Do jelqing exercises work?

As we've mentioned, there has not been sufficient research done or scientific evidence to say for sure whether jelqing actually works.

One review found vacuum exercise does not typically work to increase penis size, while another found devices can increase length [6][7].

Another study found penis pumps do not significantly increase length, but can increase psychological satisfaction [8].

As we can see, the research has not been conclusive as to whether or not jelqing and other stretching exercises really increase penis size.

Additionally, most of the studies done are either old, had very small sample sizes, or were done a long time ago. More comprehensive modern research would need to be done before we can really recommend these types of practices.

How often should you do jelqing exercises?

In articles and on internet forums, advocates of jelqing suggest doing it daily for between 5 and 20 minutes.

Doing it too often could result in side effects such as pain or discomfort, and impact things like blood vessels and scar tissue (more on that below).

And as we have discussed above, there is no guarantee that it will actually work.

Are there any risks associated with jelqing?

There can be some negative side effects associated with jelqing [2].

It can lead to damaged penile tissue, issues with blood flow, bruising, numbness, skin irritation, redness, and even erectile dysfunction.

It has also been linked to Peyronie's disease, which refers to scar tissue formation under the skin of the penis, and can result in excessively curved erections [9]. These curves can result in painful erections or even pain during sex. Peyronie's disease typically happens as a result of injury.

What can you do instead of jelqing?

If you are concerned about the size of your penis, firstly it is important to understand whether or not your penis is actually on the smaller size or not.

Thanks to pornography and pop culture, unrealistic body standards have been promoted, and many people have developed small penis anxiety and a warped perception of what a 'normal' penis should look like.

The average size of an erect penis is believed to be around 5 to 5 and a half inches (roughly 12.5 to 14cm), but studies have found that many people who think they have a small penis are actually well within the normal size range [10].

If you have serious concerns about the size of your penis, one alternative to jelqing could be penile augmentation or penis enlargement surgery.

However, this also comes with serious risks and the Urology Care Foundation has suggested it should only be done in micropenis cases, which is a medical condition usually diagnosed at birth or in childhood [11][12].

Some people also undergo liposuction around the pubic area to reduce the amount of fat and to increase visibility of the penis or make it appear larger [13].

For a nonsurgical option, some people opt for injections with fillers. While reviews have found that these can increase girth, they are not permanent and also appear to have a high chance of complications [14].

Some people and companies also spruik penis enlargement tablets, but these are typically not medically backed and mostly contain a combination of vitamins.

For anybody concerned about penis size of performance, the first step should be to speak to a doctor or therapist for professional advice. If you are struggling with small penis anxiety, the best solution might be addressing your self-esteem and perceptions.

If you are struggling to get or maintain an erection, a program like Pilot's erectile dysfunction treatment could be helpful. There are different options to suit different needs, with discreet delivery Australia wide and free cancellation any time.

Importantly, you will have the support of qualified medical professionals throughout your journey with the treatment, and you can have ongoing consultations and follow-ups.

Whether you are looking into jelqing, have struggled with erectile dysfunction, or have ever wished you had a larger penis, try not to feel embarrassed about your situation.

The best thing you can do is seek professional advice (don't just rely on social media), address your concerns, and take steps to improve your sex life.

After all, it's not size or what you've got that matters — it's more about how you use it!

Image credit: Pexels/Vlada Karpovich