Male Sexual Enhancement Pills: Effects Unknown & Dangerous?

In July, The Telegraph reported that there was a surge in the number of prescriptions for erectile dysfunction drugs in the U.K., growing about twice since 2004. The number of prescriptions for sildenafil, which is commonly known as Viagra, were about 1.7 million in 2014, a statistic that grew from 1.3 million in 2013.

A new study published in the "Journal of Sexual Medicine" reveals, however, that there is in fact no proof that over-the-counter male sexual enhancement supplements are indeed effective. Researchers even claim that some of these drugs are dangerous to some people with certain health problems, HealthDay reports.

For the study, the researchers from the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston, Salem analyzed the ingredients of best-selling male sexual help supplements, including drugs that promise to enhance erections and sex drive. The study revealed how several of these widely used products do not have scientific evidence to support their claims that the consumption of such drugs can improve sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or sexual performance.

"While certain natural supplements we reviewed show promise for improving mild sexual dysfunction, they lack robust human evidence," Dr. Ryan Terlecki, an associate professor of urology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston, Salem said. "In addition, because of concerns that some products are impure or weak, we do not routinely recommend these products to our patients."

WebMD reports that researchers also found that some of what they claim are "natural" ingredients contain traces of phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (PDE5Is), which is found in prescription drugs that treat impotence. The study revealed that such drugs also contain horny goat weed, ginseng, DHEA, Ginkgo biloba, fenugreek, and maca. DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a hormone that originates from the adrenal gland and causes the production of androgens and estrogens. DHEA naturally lowers as people age.

The bigger concern of Dr. Terlecki and his team, however, is the PDE5I content of such male sexual enhancement drugs. They found in one reviewed study that as much as 81% of tested samples of male sexual enhancement drugs that are sold over the counter contain such PDE5Is.

"PDE5Is cannot yet be legally sold over the counter in this country. 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," Dr. Terlecki warned. "Likewise, men with severe liver impairment or end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis should avoid these products."

Men who constantly use sexual enhancement products and have certain health problems are at risk for various drug interactions. Researchers warn that men who consume tamsulosin, terazosin or doxazosin as treatment for an enlarged prostate may experience dizziness and falling if they take sexual enhancement products that contain PDE5Is at the same time.