There’s a common misunderstanding in the penile girth enhancement market that permanent is better. To consumers, this makes sense in theory: If you’re undergoing a procedure, you want it to be as long-lasting as possible. 

In reality, “permanent” techniques for girth enhancement frequently cause complications, as well as psychological and physical damage that can last longer than the techniques themselves. 

Here are a few hard facts about “permanent” girth enhancement techniques:

• They are permanent because they do not belong in your body.
  
  Silicone sleeves and synthetic fillers such as silicone, PLA, and PCL remain in the body for extended periods because, much like metals or industrial chemicals, they are foreign substances. It is well-documented that silicone can trigger severe hypersensitivity reactions, which may occur anywhere from 1 to 15 years after the initial injection. The long-term unpredictability of permanent fillers inevitably affects all patients, making it crucial to ask the right questions before any procedure—particularly about the substances being injected—to ensure both safety and satisfaction.
  
  This is why the UroFill® technique uses hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring substance in humans and animals alike. While this can be gradually reabsorbed into the body, the process is slow (90% retention after two years, if not significantly more) if performed by a qualified surgeon.
  
  
• They can cause serious complications and dissatisfaction, including amputation of the penis.
  
  A recent report from the International Journal of Impotence Research studying the dangers of the use of synthetic or foreign material into the penis speaks for itself:
  
  “Permanent fillers for penile augmentation pose significant risks, with 77.9% of patients experiencing severe complications such as pain, swelling, and penile deformity. A systematic review of 918 cases revealed that paraffin (47.7%) and silicone (15.8%) were the most commonly injected substances. Alarmingly, 78.8% of patients required surgical intervention, including excision, grafts, and in some cases, even penile amputation.”

These statistics highlight the unpredictable and often devastating consequences of permanent fillers, emphasizing the importance of seeking safe and medically-approved alternatives.

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• They can change the appearance and function of the penis for the worse.
  A recent expose in the New Yorker by journalist Ava Kaufman described a litany of complaints from men who had undergone silicone implant procedures:
  
  “It was tricky to bend over to tie the laces of winter boots, tricky to slip on a condom, tricky to sleep in a comfortable position, tricky to stretch, tricky to spoon… Others said they experienced stabbing pains in the shower or during sex. Seroma, or excess fluid, was not uncommon… Some implants got infected or detached. Others buckled at the corners. Occasionally these protrusions broke through the skin, forming holes that would fester.”

The desire for a larger penis has been recorded throughout history, with often bizarre and risky techniques. While it’s only normal to want enhancement, either for pleasing partners or self-confidence, people interested in undergoing it should do research about their options, the complications, and the providers.

At UroFill®, we’re dedicated to helping improve men’s lives through clinically-proven, safe, and effective treatments. That’s why clinic founder and urologist Dr. Paul Perito developed the technique after years of research and development–girth enhancement can be performed safely if using hyaluronic acid administered by a medical professional. The risks of other techniques are high and potentially catastrophic.

To find out more, check out our 2025 Penile Girth Enhancement Buyer’s Guide, which describes the different options, techniques, and answers the most common questions we hear from patients.