What Are the Dangers of Natural Male Enhancers?
- The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has issued numerous press releases alerting the public to potentially harmful ingredients found in these products. In 2009, the FDA issued a press release stating that some of the natural male enhancers investigated are contaminated with unproven, illegal drugs that pose an "unpredictable risk and the potential for injury or even death."
- In particular, the FDA points to the inclusion of sulfoaildenafil in certain natural male enhancers, a precursor to sildenafil, the active compound in the prescription drug Viagra. Sulfoaildenafil may intensify the effects of blood pressure medications containing nitrates, leading to a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure.
- Many natural male enhancers contain pine bark extract, which may interfere with chemotherapy drugs and immunosuppressants.
- Another common ingredient, epimedium (known as horny goat weed), is known to trigger rapid, irregular heart.
- While some ingredients in natural male enhancers may increase declining testosterone levels, lack of regulation increases the risk of poorly standardized or contaminated ingredients.