Given the large variations in human penis sizes, discord and dissatisfaction with one's self are unavoidable. The longest erect penis recorded during the famous Kinsey surveys was a shocking ten inches. That is nothing compared to the 12" and 14" behemoths reported in "L'Ethnologie du Sens Genitale", and in Dr. David Reuben's "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex", respectively. If that makes you want to cry, wait till you hear the good news - the shortest functioning erect penis measurement according to the Kinsey survey was 1 inch. There are, however, some reports in medical literature of penises that do not extend beyond 1 cm. when fully erect. Finally, just so you can know which side of the fence you are hanging from, a study by the Lifestyles Condom Co. indicated that the average erect length of a male sex organ is 5.877 inches.

Women have often been reassuring towards their mates in this regard. "Size doesn't matter", they would say. Few men really believe that. In an online poll that asked if respondents felt that penis size makes a difference in a man's ability to sexually satisfy a partner, 46% of the respondents answered "Very much: Penis size makes a big difference in a man's ability to sexually satisfy a partner". Only 13% responded "Not at all: Penis size makes no difference in a man's ability to sexually satisfy a partner". The poll did not mention how many of the respondents were women and how many were men, but the fact is - men and women believe that size still does matter!

In "The Beefcaking of America," (Psychology Today November/December 1994 issue) Jill Neimark reported the findings from a questionnaire completed by some 1500 male and female readers. The Neimark report suggests that a significant subset of women who are financially independent and rate themselves as physically attractive place a high value on male appearance. A small group unabashedly declared not only an rather unsurprising strong preference for better-looking men, they also indicated that they cared more about penis size, both width and length, than about the physical appearance of the man.

Niemark's survey results also suggests that men believe their appearance has a larger impact on women than the majority of women actually acknowledge. Men indicated they feel their specific physical features, from hairline to penis size, strongly influence their personal acceptability by women. "Size does matter". Judging by the number of sites Google.com returns on a search for "penis enlargement", that seems to be a pretty popular opinion. As long as there are men out there running around with 14" monsters, the rest of the mortals will continue to judge themselves and pray at the altar of everything that grants bigger penises. The results of penis enlargement are not always pretty, considering the various methods that are purportedly effective. Claims range from the scientific to the outrageous, and some of them can be downright nasty. Unlike lizards, men do not have the power to regenerate lost appendages, so it is highly advisable to do a little research before fooling around with Mother Nature's precious gifts.

The following is a list of some penis enlargement methods other than penis pills, followed by some general comments about each;

Enlargement Creams

Enlargement creams do nothing more than increase blood flow in the penis tissue. While this may definitely assist in erection firmness (Which will cause the penis to appear and feel larger), using creams cannot enlarge your penis. There is no known medical evidence too support the claim that topical preparations can do more than increase blood flow, unlike penis pills.

Penis Pumps

Penis pumps create a vacuum and force blood to the penis tissue. According to Menstuff® Sexhealth columnist Dr. Williams, pumps are mainly used by men who suffer from chronic insulin dependent diabetes or circulatory disorders. They have such poor blood circulation overall that they cannot obtain proper blood flow in their penis area. By using a pump instead of penis pills, the skin and underlying tissues are stretched, allowing them to clamp off the blood flow and consequently trap it in the penis. With the clamp firmly in place, brief sexual encounters can occur. There is little medical evidence that penis pumps cause any actual permanent increase in the size of the penis. There is, however, bad news for "pumpers" out there - after using penis pumps over a period of time, some men claimed they were unable to get erections without the aid of a pump.

Weights

This method of penis enlargement has been around for thousands of years. Weights are suspended from the penis to stretch it. With regular use, it can increase penis length - but at a price: It makes the penis thinner, and because of the stretched tissue, lessens the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. This method can also cause a decrease in blood circulation which can lead to serious problems including tissue damage.

Enlargement Surgery

Penis enlargement surgery (or phalloplasty) is the Titanic of penis enlargement methods. It is huge, expensive and can end up being the worst disaster of your life. It can lead to serious complications like infection and scar tissue formation which can cause a misshapen penis.

A well known horror story is that of Ron

About the Author: Roger Simpson is the owner of a well known consumer watchdog group dedicated to reviewing and rating the various penis enlargement products (as well as other products) on the market today. He currently resides in Canada. Copyright Roger Simpson 2005 - http://www.pillsreview.com