We all know that to bulk up, we have to work out and create micro-tears in the muscle. Then, when these muscles heal, they also grow larger as part of a process called hypertrophy. But did you know that in a similar way you grow your biceps, you can also grow your penis...well, kind of.
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What is jelqing?
Jelqing is a series of penis exercises designed to stretch and grow your member. During this process, micro-tears are created in the penile tissue, which causes the penis to swell and enlarge as it heals.
Does jelqing actually work?
Unsurprisingly, jelqing is not primarily grounded in science, and most of the evidence that it works is anecdotal. This means there’s essentially no proof that damaging your tissue this way will help to increase your length or girth.
So far, there have been a number of small studies that looked at traction devices for penisesthat would essentially work in the same way as jelqing except more rigorous. However, it seems that each paper came to a different conclusion. One 2011 study found that penis length could be increased by up to one inch if a traction device is used for at least nine hours a day for three months, and it would probably take even longer if you’re just using your hand - who really has time for that?
Are there any side effects to jelqing?
Jelqing is considered relatively safe as long as you’re listening to your body and not overdoing it or squeezing too hard. However, there are a few side effects to consider, such as:
- Bruising
- Pain along the shaft
- Skin irritation from friction
- Scar tissue from rubbing too hard
- Ligament damage from being too aggressive
- Erectile dysfunction - the worst-case scenario
How to ‘jelq’
If you ever want to try jelqing, there are a few things to consider first:
- Lube up: When jelqing, use lube on your penis to ensure you don’t create too much friction or chafing.
- Don’t pitch your whole tent: It’s best only to be around two-thirds of the way hard. This is because the aim of jelqing is to gently massage and move blood around the penis, but when fully erect, the penis is already at total blood volume.
- Don’t over jelq: You should only ever jelq about once or twice a day to prevent any injuries. And, if jelqing is painful or uncomfortable, then that’s a pretty good sign you should let your member rest.
To jelq, here’s what you need to do:
1. Wrap your thumb and index finger around the base of your penis like an ‘ok’ sign.
2. Grip tighter until you have about a medium amount of pressure.
3. Slowly glide your thumb and index finger to the head of the penis over 3-4 seconds.
4. Loosen your grip at the head of the penis.
5. Repeat for 20 minutes, once per day.
If you’re wondering how long it will take to see results, the answer depends on how consistently you jelq and what techniques you use. Also, as there is no scientific evidence that jelqing works, you may not see any result at all.
Instead of relying on jelqing, it’s best just to remember, it’s not the size of the member but how you use it that counts. Not to mention the average penis size is between 5-7 inches, so if you fall within that range, then you may be underestimating how big your penis actually is.
Although, if size really is an issue for you, then there are a few other options to consider that deliver much more reliable results like penis pumps, traction devices or even penis enlargement surgery.
