The advertisements "one pill regains form", "rejuvenation like age 18"... are appearing all over social networks and e-commerce platforms, turning men's physiological enhancement products into "salves" for many gentlemen. However, behind those attractive promises is a worrying reality: many cases have to be hospitalized due to severe complications.
Recorded at Binh Dan Hospital, it is not difficult to encounter patients coming for examination and listening to advice about their physiological health condition. The case of Mr. T.K. (36 years old, Dong Nai province) came to the hospital for examination with a psychological hesitation, reluctant to share about his condition. After the doctor gave psychological advice, the patient began to be more open about the difficult-to-speak bottleneck in his heart.
The patient has been married for more than 7 years, but due to work pressure, the quality of marital life of the patient is not as expected. About 3 months ago, the patient self-studied on a Facebook group and was advised on a 1-month course of medication for 4 million VND, with the aim of increasing sexual desire and better sexual quality. Believing him, patient K. bought and used it, but after about half a month of use, patient K. always felt rapid heartbeat, chest pain, blushing... so he decided to go for an examination.
According to Dr. Mai Ba Tien Dung - Head of Andrology Department, Binh Dan Hospital, psychological hesitation and difficulty sharing sensitive issues make men tend to seek out unofficial information sources. Instead of going for examination, many people self-research and buy medicine online with the expectation of "quick and discreet treatment".
Men can spend up to 30-35% of their daily time searching for unofficial treatment information. They hope for a'mysterious method' to help them recover instantly, even return to their 18-year-old form, which medicine cannot meet in the way advertised," Dr. Dung said.
This unrealistic expectation has caused many people to fall into the "miracle drug trap". In fact, hospitals have recorded many cases of hospitalization after using products of unknown origin. Patients may experience symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, blushing, dizziness immediately after use.
More worrying is prolonged erectile dysfunction, a dangerous urology emergency. Initially, users may mistakenly believe this is a "effective" sign, but if prolonged, this condition can cause tissue damage, penile fibrosis, leading to permanent erectile dysfunction. In many severe cases, patients are forced to undergo surgery, even artificial cava insertion, with a very low rate of complete recovery.
Not stopping at drugs, "nutritious alcohols", "animal-infused alcohols" are also being advertised as physiological enhancement solutions. However, according to experts, these are potential sources of many risks, from alcohol poisoning, acute pancreatitis to metabolic disorders, especially when used uncontrollably.
A noteworthy point is that many products are advertised as "100% herbal", "natural, no side effects". However, users are almost unable to verify ingredients. "Even doctors cannot determine if there is no testing. Therefore, believing in advertising is very risky," Dr. Dung warned.
Experts emphasize that no medicine is completely safe. Even medication for erectile dysfunction needs to be prescribed and closely monitored, because if used incorrectly, it can affect the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys and nervous system.
Faced with this situation, the health sector recommends that men need to change their habits and proactively seek medical examinations at specialized facilities when there are abnormal signs. Currently, treatment methods are quite diverse, from using drugs, hormone therapy to supporting devices or surgical intervention, depending on the specific condition.
