You can hardly buy a porn DVD online without seemingly-endless ads popping up promising the ability to add inches to your member in as little as a couple of weeks. But is there really any scientific research that backs up the claims?

While the idea sounds great, is it at all even necessary? The most commonly-held opinion on average penis length by scientists suggests that a flaccid penis is going to be 1-4 inches in length and 5-7 when erect. Of course there are many reasons why you would like to have a bigger penis, but it is worth the trouble?

This is not a new idea, for the record. Ancient history has shown a wide range of men trying to increase their penis size through all kinds of methods, whether it is using weights or allowing poisonous snakes to bite them in an attempt for them to get enlarged in the process. Thankfully science has moved on since then, but are any of the methods worth the cost? In terms of surgery today, there are several main operations that all come with risks and often very little in terms of rewards. The ‘skin flap’ surgery basically takes skin from your abdomen and adds it to the penis’ base, with the idea that more of the shaft will then be visible coming out of the body. Another procedure cuts the suspensory ligament of the penis and then weighs down the penis to pull it further away, increasing the length’s appearance. One of the more ‘simpler’ procedures performs liposuction on the pubic area, which, in theory, takes away fat from the area and therefore makes the penis seem longer as a result. These are just a few of the procedures available, though none are performed in massive numbers and, as with any surgery, the side effects can be quite severe. It’s important to note in all of these situations, the typical growth is only a few centimeters on average, not the several extra inches many of the products on the market today claim to add. What about the width, you ask? The most common procedures involve injecting fat into the shaft to increase the width but can often leave the penis looking lumpy or uneven, which is hardly the most aesthetically-pleasing member imaginable.

What about hormones, you say? The bad news is the hormone treatments available are not for people who fall within an average range of penis size. So if you’re just wanting to add some length for you (or your partner) you’re going to be out of luck here. The hormones are used when people have a medical condition called a micropenis. While this might make for a great slam to a friend next time you’re in an argument, it’s a genuine medical condition that is generally treated through hormone injections in young children with the problem. There’s a medical reason for the age treated too: Studies revealed that the hormones work significantly better with children that are prepubescent.

And there are a wide range of products and procedures with little-to-no science behind them. Among the more popular ideas are ligament stretching exercises or ‘jelqin’, which are both methods of attempting to increase the size through rubbing and tugging on your penis, but not in the way you likely would be doing when visiting orgasm.com. As for adding weights to the penis at home? Very little supports that this method would work and odds are you’ll be more likely to end up in the ER than with a 12-inch member.

One of the main types of products you’re bound to see advertised (even if that’s not what it seems like the product would be) is in effect a penis pump. What exactly does this involve? We’ve all see jokes about them in the movies, but would they work? Basically, scientific studies suggest that pumping up the penis is way more effective as an impotence treatment rather than as a penis enlargement. There is a bit of diverse data when it comes to penis pumps though. A study concerning the use of pumps for Peyronie’s disease, which is related to the connective tissues of the penis, did show a general increase in penis length over a three-month time period.

What does this all add up to? Essentially, not very much. Scientists suggest you are unlikely to have success with any of the products available on the market, and if you do, it might be a lot less of an increase than you hoped for. Worth the time and (often significant) cost? That’s for you to decide.