Extenders - Clinical Trials, Doctor Recommendations, Media Reports

Hi guys,

There's been so much talk in the media recently about penis extenders, I thought it would be helpful to anyone doing research on extenders to have a thread devoted entirely to clinical trials, doctor recommendations and media reports on penis extenders. There are plenty of guys on this forum who will tell you they work (myself included), but I thought it would be especially helpful to see what evidence there is from doctors about whether penis extenders work and how we're supposed to use them.

This is the study that made people finally take stretcher devices seriously and convinced me to start Penis Enlargement. It's been all over the mainstream news.

British Journal of Urology International: A pilot phase-II prospective study to test the 'efficacy' and tolerability of a penile-extender device in the treatment of 'short penis'

"RESULTS
After 6 months [wearing the device 4 hours a day] the mean gain in length was significant, meeting the goals of the effect size, at 2.3 and 1.7 cm for the flaccid and stretched penis, respectively. No significant changes in penile girth were detected. The EF domain scores improved significantly at the end of study. Treatment satisfaction scores were consistent with acceptable to good improvement in all items, except for penile girth, where the score was either 'no change' or 'mild improvement'.

"CONCLUSIONS
Penile extenders should be regarded as a minimally invasive and effective treatment option to elongate the penile shaft in patients seeking treatment for a short penis."

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2008.08083.x/abstract

Better place to put this.

An article entitled "Effect of Penile-Extender Device in Increasing Penile Size in Men with Shortened Penis: Preliminary Results" in the January 19, 2010 issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine concluded:

"Our findings supported the efficacy of the device in increasing penile length. Our result also suggested the possibility of glans penis girth enhancement using penile extender. Performing more studies is recommended."

Results: "Twenty-three cases with a mean age of 26.5 ± 8.1 years entered the study. The mean flaccid penile length increased from 8.8 ± 1.2 cm to 10.1 ± 1.2 cm and 10.5 ± 1.2 cm, respectively, in the first and third months of follow-up, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Mean stretched penile length also significantly increased from 11.5 ± 1.0 cm to, respectively, 12.4 ± 1.3 cm and 13.2 ± 1.4 cm during the first and second follow-up (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found regarding proximal penile girth. However, it was not the same regarding the circumference of the glans penis (9.3 ± 0.86 cm vs. 8.8 ± 0.66 cm, P < 0.05)."

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01662.x/abstract

In 2009, Live Science reported "Penile Extenders Actually Might Work, Doctors Say"

From Live Science

"If the thought of stretching a penis for six or more hours a day makes you wince, you have many urologists on your side. They treat patients who have damaged their penises, sometimes permanently, from aggressive stretching or vacuum pumps, resulting in burst blood vessels or penile fractures.

"Gontero said that gradually stretching the penis can be safe and could increase its length much like skin tissue is slowly expanded in cosmetic surgery procedures, including certain kinds of breast enhancements. His follow-up study will investigate correcting the often painful Peyronie's disease, or curved penis, with penile extenders. A small study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine last year found that a commercial penile extender reduced penile curvature and added a little length.

"Gontero warned that one shouldn't sleep wearing a traction device for risk of damaging the penis while rolling over. (I guess you shouldn't have sex while wearing it, either, but what do I know?) Gontero also agreed that creams, hormones and other supplements to increase penis size are useless and potentially dangerous."

http://www.livescience.com/3381-penile-extenders-work-doctors.html

In 2011, Live Science published "One Male Extender Found to Actually Work"

"The few well-conducted studies on penile extenders, which use mechanical traction to progressively elongate the penis, showed these devices can produce an "effective and durable lengthening of the penis," the researchers write."

In my opinion, all standard penis extenders operate in the same manner, so the findings of one extender generally apply to all of them. The only differences seem to be durability and type of strap. I have not been using an AndroPenis (the subject of the study) but have put on an inch on my erect penis.

http://www.livescience.com/13820-male-extender-works.html

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery International in Alexandria, Virginia recommends them for both surgical patients and non-surgical patients.


"How It Works

"The Helping Hand Extender applies a traction force of between 600 to 1500 grams (approximately 21 oz. - 53 oz.) of weight across the axis of the penis during continued periods of time. This force, gently extends the cellular structure causing an increase in cellular mitosis and results in cell tissue growth over a period of time.

"Clinical Studies indicate that when viewed under a microscope, this gently traction force results in an increase in the total number of cells produced by the body in the area where the force is applied.

"The Results?

"The Helping Hand Extender has a proven record of increasing the total length of the penis in both erect and flaccid states. AND, it also increases the volume of the penile shaft in erect and flaccid states.

"Both increases are permanent and there are no changes to the erectile and orgasmic functions.

"Non-Surgical Applications (Indications)

• Enables permanent penile enlargement without surgery (objective, subjective & acquired penile Hypoplasia).
• Enables correction of Penile curvatures without surgery.
• Viable treatment for Peyronie's Disease.

"Surgical Applications (Indications)

• Post-surgical treatment for penile lengthening surgery.
• Post-surgical treatment of penile reconstructive surgery ( Peyronie's Disease, traumatic and degenerative diseases).
• Post-surgical treatment of any penile surgery in which there is a need to prevent scar contraction."

http://www.drgiunta.com/penile-stretching.html

Use of Penile Extender Device in the Treatment of Penile Curvature as a Result of Peyronie's Disease. Results of a Phase II Prospective Study

"Abstract

"Introduction. Pilot experiences have suggested that tension forces exerted by a penile extender may reduce penile curvature as a result of Peyronie's disease.

"Aim. To test this hypothesis in a Phase II study using a commonly marketed brand of penile extender.

"Results. Penile curvature decreased from an average of 31° to 27° at 6 months without reaching the effect size (P = 0.056). Mean stretched and flaccid penile length increased by 1.3 and 0.83 cm, respectively at 6 months. Results were maintained at 12 months. Overall treatment results were subjectively scored as acceptable in spite of curvature improvements, which varied from "no change" to "mild improvement."

"Conclusions. In our study, the use of a penile extender device provided only minimal improvements in penile curvature but a reasonable level of patient satisfaction, probably attributable to increased penile length."



http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01108.x/abstract

Also in UroToday:

http://www.urotoday.com/3351/browse...f_a_phase_ii_prospective_study__abstract.html

Also in IngentaConnect:

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/jsm/2009/00000006/00000002/art00030

Medical News Today reports "Penile Extender Increased Flaccid Length By Almost A Third Says Independent Clinical Study "

"Men who wore a penile extender every day for six months were able to increase the flaccid length of their penis by up to 32% and their erectile function by up to 36%, according to an independent clinical study published in the March issue of BJU International.

"Key findings included:

- Men who took part in the study wore the device for an average of five hours in the first month, five hours in the third month and four hours in the sixth month.

- The men's average flaccid penile length was 7.15cm (2.82 inches) at baseline and had increased by 32 per cent to 9.45cm (3.72 inches) in month 12.

- The men's average stretched penile length was 9.62cm (3.79 inches) at baseline and had increased by 18 per cent to 11.32 cm (4.45 inches) in month 12.

- No significant increase in penile girth, which averaged 10.4cm (4.09 inches) at baseline, was reported.

- Average erectile function scores improved by up to 36%, from 19.9 out of 30 at baseline to 27.1 out of 30 at 12 months.

- Four patients discontinued the treatment for four different reasons: pain and penile bruising, satisfactory results after three months, lack of efficacy and inability to follow the protocol. Another was lost to follow-up.

- High satisfaction levels were reported in all categories except penile girth. The average score for overall satisfaction was 2.8 on a scale of zero to four, where four represents the optimal result.

-Flaccid penile length scored 2.31 on a scale of zero to three, where three represents significant improvement. Penile length during erection scored 2.37 out of three and sex life 2.3. Penile girth scored 1.1."



http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/141256.php

This is a list of urologists that endorse an extender. I assume these are paid endorsements. This list is accurate as of August 2009. I did not check to see if this is still accurate today.

Dr. Hellstrom
Urologist
Urology Professor and Director of Andrology at the University of New Orleans, USA.

Dr. Hellstrom is considered one of the foremost Urologists in the world. He has published almost 200 articles in medical and scientific magazines and is the author of 2 famous medical books, ¨Male Fertility and Sexual Dysfunction¨ and ¨The Handbook of Sexual Dysfunction. He is a member of prestigious medical associations including The American Society of Andrology and The American Urology Association.

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cach...rom+urology+extender&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Dr. Moncada
Urologist
Hospital Ruber Internacional de Madrid

Today, amongst several techniques to enlarge the size of the penis, the most efficient and so far the safest is the technique relying on the principle of traction. The only medical device recognized and certified by the European Union Health Authorities is the Andropenis ®. This device represents one of the most important advances in the medical field if we consider the effectiveness of the Andropenis ® in post-operatory phases of patients who underwent surgery for Peyronie's disease, or, on the other hand, for those who simply feel uncomfortable about the size of their penis.


Dr. Tambi
Consultant Clinical Andrologist, Reproductive and Sexual Health Specialist
Men's Health Clinic Damai Service Hospital

One of the ethnic groups that is most affected from and worried about the size of the penis is the Asian male population. In fact, the Asian average size of the penis is 4,70 inches and the maximum size corresponds to the smallest in Occident. Since sexual liberation in Asia the Andropenis ® has been introduced on the market. It is the most effective and the safest medical traction device which aims at solving their problems and enables them to have good sex and to feel good about their sexuality.


Dr. Lizheng
Urologist
Andrological Surgery Consultant at Shanghai Renji Hospital, China

A variety of studies concerning penile enlargement, rectification of penile curvatures (Peyronie's disease) and penile postoperative treatment, performed in China by Dr. Li Zheng, regarding the use of the Andropenis ® medical traction device on a total of 30 patients, demonstrate an average growth of the penis of 1 inch within a 3 months treatment period.


Dr. Petrovitch
Urologist-Andrologist
Russian National Surgery Center

Throughout history, men have always aspired to enlarge their penis, in order to demonstrate their virility. This tendency has resulted in the emerging of various methods to enlarge the penis, having different degrees of effectiveness. The Andropenis ® extender developed in Spain is the best medical device ever introduced on the market. Very easy to use, it can be worn regardless of the penis size and it guarantees a result of an added 1.2 to 1.6 inches in length and 0.4 inches in girth.


Dr. Villanueva
Urologist
President of the Mexican Andrology Association

Amongst the multiple different solutions for penis enlargement available on the market today, the most affordable and so far the most reliable in matters of results and safety is the Andropenis ® extender. It is the only medical device of its kind certified by the European Union Health Authorities and accredited by a variety of urologist and andrologist associations worldwide. The Andropenis ® allows a growth of the penis of more than 1.2 inches in length and 0.4 inches in girth and permanent results without side effects.


Dr. Salhi
Urologist-Andrologist
Andrological Surgery Consultant at San Pietro, Rome, Hospital

Dr. Jamal Salhi has been recommending the use of the Andropenis ® for a long time in post-operatory therapies for penile surgical interventions as well as for initial therapies to enlarge the size of the penis. Dr. Salhi affirms that the Andropenis ® is the most effective and safest medical traction device on the market today. It is an easy-to-use and an easy-to-wear device that allows a lot of men to end up their problems concerning the size of their penis.


Dr. Eduardo A. Gómez de Diego
Andrologist
Andromedical CEO

Since the 90's, the male health and beauty area has experienced an important upsurge. The beauty products market for men has met a new demand related to men's sexuality and the wish to enlarge the size of their penis. T he Andropenis ® extender has been created to meet this wish. The traction device Andropenis ® is a medical device to be used as a treatment for penile enlargement without surgery, penile curvatures treatment without surgery and for post-surgical treatments of penile enlargement surgeries.


http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cach...sp+urology+extender&cd=20&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Treatment for Peyronies Disease

"Although there is no cure for Peyronie's Disease, several clinical studies such as the one mentioned above point to penis extenders as the best treatment to correct curvature, or at the very least to impede the curvature from getting worse. According to Doctor Gontero, the leading Doctor of the above mentioned study which was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2009, "Overall results were self-reported as "acceptable", making this minimally invasive treatment modality a potential new treatment option in selected Peyronie's disease patients."

"Similarly, after conducting two case studies, Urologist Wendy Hum of the British Royal Infirmary, came to the conclusion, "As patient and doctor discuss the possible treatment options, it is extremely important to exhaustively inform the patient that the treatment with the Andropenis (a brand of penile extender) has to be considered an overall effective and viable treatment." [19] Several other studies exist reaffirming these types of results.[20] [21][22]"



But, beware of extenders using suction, as there were "over 30 cases of necrosis" after using such devices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyronie's_disease

X-40 published the Urology Times article "Extender device yields good results in Peyronie's"

"Article Excerpt

Chicago -- Daily use of a penile extender device shows promise as a safe, effective, and noninvasive treatment for Peyronie's disease, according to results of a pilot study conducted by urologists at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago.

The pilot study enrolled 10 men with documented Peyronie's disease who wore the penile extender device (FS Extender, FS Physiomed, Aliso Viejo, CA) for a minimum of 2 hours a day. At the end of 6 months, all 10 men benefited with improvements in curvature, erect girth, and penile length, researchers reported at the Sexual Medicine Society of North America winter scientific meeting.

The objective benefits were accompanied by improvements in erectile and sexual function and quality of life measured by the International Index of Erectile Function (I/EF), IIEF-Erectile Function domain, and QOL-MED. There were no significant adverse effects, and patient satisfaction with the treatment was very high.

Positive changes

Changes in curvature and flexural strength at the proportional limit (FSPL) were all noted after 3 months, and there was continued improvement over the next 3 months of the study. Objective curvature, measured by penile duplex ultrasound, improved significantly by 17 degrees (range, 10 to 45 degrees) from 51 degrees at baseline to 34 degrees at 6 months.

Erect girth increased in all men by 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm. Four patients had a hinge effect on ultrasound and all four felt they were improved after treatment.

Average FSPL, measured from pubis to corona, increased from 10.65 cm at baseline to 12.0 cm (range, 0.5 to 2.0 cm), and the IIEF-EF score increased from 18.3 at Sexual Dy enrollment to..."



http://X-40.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-7790570/Extender-device-yields-good-results.html

Current Sexual Health Reports published "Local Therapies for Peyronie's Disease"

by Jason Szobota and Stanton Honig
Yale New Haven Hospital, Hospital of St. Raphael, Urology Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine

"Mechanical therapy with penis extenders has been introduced in the past year in an attempt to straighten and lengthen the penis in patients with Peyronie’s disease. More double-blind, randomized, controlled studies are necessary to better analyze these minimally invasive modalities in the treatment of Peyronie’s disease."



http://www.springerlink.com/content/2n41j58304v28638/

British Journal of Urology Today published the article "Non-Invasive Methods of Penile Lengthening: Fact or Fiction?"

Marco Oderda and Paolo Gontero
University of Turin, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy
Accepted for publication 7 May 2010

This can also be found on the thread started by Putzaras at http://www.mattersofsize.com/forum/showthread.php?63177-science-paper-2010