Unveiling consumer interest and regional disparities: comparative analysis of online search trends for penile aesthetic procedures.

Abstract

Background: Aesthetic procedures for penile enhancement, such as the Penuma silicone sleeve implant, have gained increasing attention for addressing concerns like perceived size, buried or retractile penis, and mild curvature.

Aim: To assess the online search interest over time for penile enhancement modalities, analyze the trends, and explore any regional disparities in search patterns.

Methods: Google Trends data from June 18, 2018, to June 11, 2023, were utilized to analyze search interest for Penuma, penile implant, penile girth, Hyaluronic acid (HLA) injection, and penis injection. The results were compared to the trend data for Penuma from 2004 to 2023. Trendlines were generated to assess the changes in search interest over time and determine if they followed a random or polynomial trend. The highest search interest locations were identified for each term, and the corresponding regional gross domestic product values were collected.

Outcomes: Search interest was assessed in terms of volume, temporal trends, and regional disparities.

Clinical implications: Understanding regional and temporal search patterns for penile enhancement can guide healthcare professionals and policymakers in developing targeted educational initiatives and allocating resources to meet patient needs.

Strengths and limitations: The use of Google Trends provides a comprehensive and real-time assessment of public interest over a broad timeframe and geographic range. However, search interest data may not fully capture actual patient behaviors or clinical demand, and the analysis relies on assumptions about search terms accurately reflecting consumer intent.

Results: Penuma initially garnered interest upon its introduction in 2004 but experienced a decline until around March 2021. Comparing Penuma with other terms, general searches for penile implant and penile girth exhibited significantly higher interest than Penuma. The trendlines indicated increasing search interest for penile implant and HLA injection, while Penuma demonstrated a declining trend. In terms of regional disparities, the highest search interest for Penuma was observed in San Antonio, TX, while penile girth searches were highest in Oklahoma City, OK. Penile implant searches were prominent in Mobile, AL, and Birmingham, AL. Notably, HLA injection searches peaked in New York, NY, and penis injection searches were most prevalent in Los Angeles, CA.

Conclusion: This study reveals that online interest in Penuma lags other penile enhancement terms, with notable regional disparities in search patterns. These findings underscore the need for further research to understand the factors influencing these trends and to help healthcare professionals tailor educational efforts and resources to diverse consumer needs.