OTC 'herbal' sexual treatment could be harmful

A new study conducted by US researchers claims that over-the-counter herbal pills and dietary supplements aiming to improve sexual dysfunction might actually be ineffective and harmful for the health.

According to the researchers at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, common dietary supplements that claim to improve male sexual health are ineffective at large. In addition, such herbal pills could prove harmful if taken without consultation from a physician.

Senior author of the study, Ryan Terlecki says that for some of the products available over-the-counter, there is no scientific evidence that they help correct erectile dysfunction, sexual performance and libido. In addition, the study has found that some of the “natural” products contain minute amounts of phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (PDE5Is), a chemical contained in prescription drugs such as Viagra, reports The HealthSite.

“Men who use these medications without a physician’s supervision run the risk of taking them inappropriately. Patients with advanced heart disease, for example, or who take nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, should not use PDE5Is as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure,” said Terlecki, reports The Financial Times.

During the testing of the over-the-counter available products, the research team found that more than 80 percent of them available in the Asia and US contained PDE5Is. In addition, the researchers have warned that men with enlarged prostates who take a combination of medicines such as terazosin, doxazosin or tamsulosin should be aware of how to time the dosage. An unplanned timing of the dosage could result in dizziness and falls, leading to fractures.

It is estimated that 40 to 70 percent of men around the world suffers from some form of sexual dysfunction. Out of embarrassment or cost concerns, a majority of such men prefer to purchase over-the-counter supplements and products.

The complete details of the study have been published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

OTC "herbal" sexual treatment could be harmful