Background: The prevalence and patterns of aphrodisiac drug consumption without prescription among men in Saudi Arabia remain underexplored, with limited empirical evidence available. Given the potential health implications and societal considerations, a comprehensive investigation is warranted. Aim: Assess the Prevalence, pattern of use and the associated factors of Aphrodisiac drugs consumption without prescription among men at Najran City, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional descriptive study, 500 participants were included through convenience sampling. The utilized questionnaires covered a range of data, including socio-demographic information, patterns of aphrodisiac use, knowledge about aphrodisiacs, lifestyle details, a sexual health inventory for men, and a perceived stress level scale. Results: The study reveals a significant prevalence of unsanctioned aphrodisiac drug use (31%) among men in Najran City, Saudi Arabia, with a majority (79.3%) consuming these substances four times monthly. Associated disparities in knowledge, lifestyle, stress, and sexual function underscore the urgent need for policy interventions and tailored health education initiatives for this demographic. Conclusion: Approximately one-third of the sampled population engaged in the unsanctioned use of aphrodisiac drugs, with the majority utilizing them four times monthly. Tablets emerged as the most prevalent form of consumption. Commonly cited motives and justifications included peer influence and the perceived safety of aphrodisiacs. Influential factors encompassed levels of knowledge, lifestyle, stress levels, erectile function, age, education, and the number of wives. Recommendations: Urgent policy interventions are warranted to regulate the acquisition and distribution of aphrodisiacs. Tailored health education initiatives should be implemented for married and prospective married men.

UNASSIGNED: In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is a popular plant for promoting youthful energy, longevity, and overall well-being. It is also an excellent aphrodisiac herb that aids in the improvement and maintenance of normal sexual health. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of ashwagandha root extract on improving sexual health in adult males.
UNASSIGNED: In this 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we investigated the aphrodisiac property of an ashwagandha root extract in adult males. Fifty participants with lower sexual desire were randomly allocated to take 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract or placebo capsules twice daily. Outcomes were measured using the derogatis interview for sexual functioning-male (DISF-M) questionnaire, serum testosterone, serum prolactin, and short-form survey-36 quality of life questionnaire before and after the intervention.
UNASSIGNED: Compared to placebo, ashwagandha root extract supplementation was associated with a statistically significant increase in the total DISF-M scores (mean difference -9.8; 95% confidence interval, -10.73 to -8.87; p < 0.0001; t-test). It was also associated with a statistically significant increase in serum testosterone levels (-66.52; -80.70 to -52.34; p < 0.0001; t-test). However, the prolactin level did not change after intervention in both the ashwagandha and placebo groups (-1.06; -2.78 to 0.66; p > 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: These findings suggest that ashwagandha demonstrated a significant subjective perception of sexual well-being and assisted in increasing serum testosterone levels in the participants.

The use and sale of sexual enhancement drugs (particularly unapproved aphrodisiacs) have become a public health concern in Ghana and many other sub-Saharan African countries. While most studies have examined this phenomenon from the level of individual perspectives, this study investigates the multi-dimensional and multi-level factors (e.g., individual characteristics and behaviours, interpersonal factors, community norms and practices, institutional and public policy factors) that influence attitudes, perceptions, and use of aphrodisiacs among men and women in Ghana. Using a concurrent mixed-method design, we derived the data from a semi-structured interview and cross-sectional survey conducted across five administrative regions in Ghana. Interpretative phenomenological analysis and logistic regression techniques were used to analyse the qualitative and quantitative (survey) data, respectively. Approximately 12.6% of participants (17.6% among males and 7.2% among females) had used an aphrodisiac in the six months prior to the study. Approximately 23.4% of the participants had more than one partner during the same period. Among men, being religious (B = −0.238, p < 0.05) and having multiple sexual partners (B = 0.481, p < 0.01) were positively associated with the use of aphrodisiacs. For women, being employed (B = −1.539, p < 0.01), engaging in physical activities (exercising) (B = −0.658, p < 0.05), having good health (B = 0.869, p < 0.05), having multiple sexual partners (B = 1.191, p < 0.01), and taking alcohol (B = 1.041, p < 0.01) were associated with use of aphrodisiacs. Although many participants had used aphrodisiacs, women, in particular, held unfavourable views about the drugs due to perceived negative health implications for themselves and their partners. The findings also show that community-level factors (e.g., social norms and expectations), interpersonal factors (e.g., expectations of partners and friends), public policy (e.g., drug-related regulations), and organisational/institutional factors (e.g., health system arrangements about access and use of drugs) were critical to the sale and use of aphrodisiacs among both men and women in Ghana. A multi-level analysis of the use of sexual enhancement drugs among men and women is crucial to formulating social and public health policies that aim to improve public knowledge of these drugs, reduce uncontrolled production, and protect population health and well-being.

BACKGROUND: Spilanthol, an active metabolite of the herb Spilanthes acmella, has many biological and pharmacological effects with limited studies on humans.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent of increase/decrease in muscle mass and sexual frequency over a period of 3 weeks and 2 months in participants consuming SA3X capsules (containing 500 mg of Spilanthes acmella extract, standardized to 3.5% spilanthol delivering 17.5 mg spilanthol).
METHODS: The study is longitudinal in nature and is conducted among 240 male participants consuming SA3X capsules at three points - first at recruitment, second at the end of 3 weeks, and lastly at the end of 2 months in Hyderabad and Secunderabad who were assessed for muscle gain by measuring mid upper-arm circumference (MUAC), chest circumference (CC), thigh circumference (TC), and for sexual activity by a change in frequency of sexual activity and duration of penile erection. The nutrient intake was assessed by 24-h dietary recall method at each visit along with the daily activity.
RESULTS: A significant increase in the MUAC, (P = 0.050), frequency of sexual intercourse (P = 0.028), and duration of penile erection (P = 0.032) were observed at the end of 3 weeks; however, no changes were observed in CC and TC. At the end of 2 months, a significant increase in the parameters MUAC (P = 0.031), frequency of sexual intercourse (P < 0.001), duration of penile erection (P = 0.029) along with significant increase in CC; (P = 0.048) and TC; (P = 0.036) was observed.
CONCLUSIONS: The study reflects the herb Spilanthes acmella to be a potent muscle gainer and aphrodisiac. However, further studies on humans need to be carried out to establish the temporality of the association of spilanthol with its claimed benefits.

UNASSIGNED: An Aphrodisiac includes any drug and food that arouses sexual instinct, induces venereal desire, and increases pleasure and performance. The present study was designed to clinically evaluate efficacy and safety of Herbal Based Syrup (HBS) composed of Tribulus terrestris L., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer., Zingiber officinale Rosc, Ceratonia siliqua L., Papaver rhoeas L., and Palm tree pollen on sexual experience of men.
UNASSIGNED: The study was designed as a double-blind randomized clinical trial. The main outcome measures were the responses obtained from using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). The ASEX was completed by 100 married and seemingly healthy men before and after taking one dose of HBS or placebo and at least one sexual intercourse. In addition, possible side effects were observed. A split-plot ANOVA (SPANOVA) design was used for statistical analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Results of analysis of data for each variable of the ASEX showed significantly lower scores in HBS-treated group compared to the placebo (control) group in items of desire, arousal, erection, orgasm and satisfaction (p < 0.05). No drug-related serious adverse events were observed.
UNASSIGNED: Results of this study indicated a significant improvement in sexual experience of men following consumption of HBS. Due to various complications reported about the use of chemical sexual drive enhancers, HBS can be introduced as an alternative with fewer side effects.

Considering dopamine-enhancing effect of (+)-catechin, the present study was designed to evaluate dopamine-2 (D2) receptor agonistic and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) enzyme inhibitory effects in in silico and effect on male sexual function of Sprague Dawley rats in vivo. (+)-Catechin and standard (sildenafil and bromocriptine) were docked using Autodock Vina 1.1.2 and visualised by UCSF Chimera 1.14. Significant interactions in terms of binding energies were observed for catechin with both proteins. In in vivo study, the rats were dosed orally for 54 days with (+)-catechin hydrate (50 mg/kg), sildenafil citrate (standard, 4 mg/kg) and carboxymethylcellulose (vehicle, 0.25% w/v). The aphrodisiac effects were evaluated on the day 14, 28, 42 and 54 using the behavioural parameters of mounting and intromission. After the study, animals were sacrificed and testes and spermatozoa were assessed for safety profile. Results showed a significant increase in mount and intromission frequencies and a significant reduction in mount and intromission latencies in the catechin group on all tested days when compared to vehicle control. (+)-Catechin was found to be safe on histology of testes, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology parameters. In conclusion, catechin demonstrated an enhancement in sexual behaviour without eliciting toxicity on the male reproductive system in rats.

Alcohol misuse among young people is a global phenomenon. In many countries, young people engage in heavy drinking and this exacerbates risky sexual behaviour. In Nigeria, alcohol held multiple roles in the traditional era but was mainly consumed by adult males for pleasure. Adult females and young people were culturally constrained from drinking in most communities. In contemporary Nigeria, young people\'s drinking is increasing, and many engage in sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol.
This study draws on the traditional gender and social sexual scripts to explore the factors that motivate young people to use alcohol for sexual purposes. In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 to 23-year old male and female undergraduate students from a Nigerian university. Thematic analysis was conducted with the aid of NVivo 10 software.
Men drink to become confident to initiate sexual relationships, stimulate sexual urges, prolong erection, increase sexual satisfaction and become more aggressive during sexual intercourse. Women also drink to be bold in initiating sexual relationships, for sexual arousal and to increase satisfaction. Relatedly, not every brand of alcohol is used for sexual purposes. For example, while men use \'herbal\' alcoholic beverages and a mixture of locally-produced gin and marijuana, women use champagne and other flavoured alcoholic beverages. The results also revealed that young people use alcohol or salt in a bid to prevent conception after sexual intercourse.
Adherence to the traditional gender (masculinity) and social sexual scripts amongst men and the enactment of what appears to be a new form of femininity script amongst women contribute to a culturally specific understanding of the motivations to use alcohol for sexual purposes. Evidence-based strategies should be employed to distribute information about the consequences of sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol.