I’m Zachary Zane, a sex writer, author, and ethical boyslut (a fancy way of saying I sleep with a lot of people, and I’m very, very open about it). Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of sexual experiences, dating and sleeping with hundreds of people of all genders and orientations. In doing so, I’ve learned a thing or two about navigating issues in the bedroom (and a bunch of other places, TBH). I’m here to answer your most pressing sex questions with thorough, actionable advice that isn’t just “communicate with your partner” because you know that already. Ask me anything—literally, anything—and I will gladly Sexplain It. To submit a question for a future column, fill out this form.
This is an edited and condensed transcription from last week’s “Sexplain It Live,” which was recorded on Men’s Health‘s Instagram. I was joined by cosmetic dermatologist Jessie Cheung, M.D.
Until recently, I didn’t know of the many cosmetic procedures that help to increase penis size. So what’s the cheapest way to get a bigger penis safely?
JC: [It depends.] Are you talking about immediate out-of-pocket costs? Or cost over time? Some procedures last longer, but they cost more up-front. Also, some men want instant gratification. They want it to be bigger immediately. That said, I would say the cheapest [option] is probably direct filler injections, but over time, I would say a fat transfer to the penis is more cost-efficient.
ZZ: The reason is that filler injections give you that immediate growth, but then you must go in more often to get it redone?
JC: Correct, yes. Most fillers that we have in America are going to last about a year or year and a half. There are some longer-lasting fillers, but they don’t work immediately. While fat works immediately, it still stabilizes over three to six months. But fat really does stick around. And you also improve your function because fat’s an excellent repository of stem cells, which will help with nerves and blood vessels.
ZZ: Gotcha. So how long does a fat injection typically last?
JC: As I said, fat likes to stick around. Think how hard it is to lose that beer belly. So for most men, assuming they’re not gaining or losing too much weight, it should last for years.
ZZ: And how much does it cost?
JC: Now I charge a bit less than ten grand. But that depends on how much good fat you have. Most men have nice squishy fat, good love handles, or a little tummy. [When that’s the case,] I can harvest quite a bit of fat, but if you’re lean, it will be harder for me to get your fat. [So if you’re lean,] I’m going to charge more because it’s going take me more time and energy to get your fat.
ZZ: And when you say it helps with functionality, what does that mean? Getting harder or…
JC: Yeah, so erectile function is all about blood flow and nerve sensitivity. So men, as they age [have some health problems], whether it be low testosterone, bad blood pressure, or sugar issues. So they often lose blood flow and sensitivity. And we know that penis size is all about blood flow. So as you lose that testosterone and have bad blood pressure, those blood vessels will actually shrink and scar down. That’s how you lose size over time. And so if we can keep you healthy, you’ll have better function.
ZZ: As you said, we see poorer blood flow and blood vessels shrink as we age, which can cause us to lose size. So what are some ways that men can mitigate that? Because I would like my penis to be as hard and big as it can be until the day I die, and I’m sure many men want that as well.
JC: It’s all about your baseline health. So testosterone levels are number one. But unfortunately, as men age, they lose about one to three percent of their total testosterone production from age thirty. And we have some guys in their thirties who have really low testosterone levels.
ZZ: Wait, one to three percent a year?
JC: Yes, and it’s kind of depressing, right? So if you do a blood test for testosterone, most labs will say anything from 350 to 1,000 [nanograms per deciliter] is in the normal range. But we don’t want you down at 300. We want you closer to 1,100 or 1,200 even. Besides, many guys notice they lose some function at 600 or 700. So, first and foremost, it’s about having good testosterone. But also getting quality sleep, lowering your stress, and eating vegetables help with your blood flow. I know it sounds dorky, but there’s a reason why we want you to eat your vegetables. It’s all about nitric oxide production, which I’ll delve into later when discussing Viagra.
Watch the full conversation here:
