Penis filler risks and complications
The possible side effects and complications of penis filler, from the common and temporary to the rare and serious, and what to do if you notice a problem.
Medically reviewed by Joel Pash, DO, Founder and Course Director · Updated
Side effects and risks
Common and temporary
Most patients have some swelling and bruising in the treatment area, which usually resolves within one to two weeks. The area may be tender during healing. Slight unevenness while the filler settles is common, as is mild redness, and these effects generally resolve without intervention. Rarely, numbness or altered sensation can occur during healing, but it is temporary.[1]
Uncommon
Infection, lumps caused by uneven placement, granulomas (an inflammatory reaction to the filler) and migration of the filler from where it was placed are uncommon. An allergic reaction to hyaluronic acid is very rare.[4]
Rare and serious: vascular occlusion (a blocked blood vessel)
Filler can enter or compress a blood vessel at the injection site and cut off the blood supply to the skin. If pain increases rather than subsides, or the skin becomes pale, dusky or mottled, call your provider the same day. Hyaluronidase can dissolve filler at the injection site.
Extremely rare and serious: pulmonary embolism (filler reaching the lungs)
Filler can enter a vein during injection and travel to the lungs. This is extremely rare, with only a small number of cases reported worldwide, but it can be fatal: deaths have been reported after hyaluronic acid filler injections into the penis. It can occur in any session, even when earlier sessions caused no problems. Hyaluronidase cannot dissolve filler that has reached the lungs. If you develop chest pain, shortness of breath, a rapid heartbeat, coughing up blood, dizziness or fainting in the hours or days after treatment, call 911 and do not wait to reach the clinic.[4]
The technique taught in UroSculpt™ training uses only temporary hyaluronic acid fillers, never permanent fillers such as silicone or PMMA, because hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with hyaluronidase*, whereas silicone and other permanent fillers cannot.[3]
*Hyaluronidase dissolves filler in the penis. It cannot dissolve filler that has entered a vein and traveled to the lungs (a pulmonary embolus).
Hyaluronic acid fillers are FDA-approved for use in the face; their use in the penis is off-label. Results vary from patient to patient.[2]
Sources
- Kwak TI, Oh M, Kim JJ, Moon DG. The effects of penile girth enhancement using injectable hyaluronic acid gel, a filler. J Sex Med. 2011;8(12):3407-13. PubMed
- Fonseca TDF, Querobino SM, et al. Penile augmentation procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of techniques, materials, and safety outcomes. Sex Health. 2026. PubMed
- Beasley KL, Weiss MA, Weiss RA. Hyaluronic acid fillers: a comprehensive review. Facial Plast Surg. 2009;25(2):86-94. PubMed
- Ramazan M, Øbro LF, et al. Complications of penile augmentation: a narrative review of injectables, implants, and surgical grafts. Int J Impot Res. 2026. PubMed