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Male enhancement products: Which ones are safe?

Posted by On February - 24 - 2010

Male enhancement products: Which ones are safe?

Increase your penis size, say goodbye to premature ejaculation, increase your staying power in the bedroom… these are a few of the most common claims we see in countless male enhancement ads.

Since the birth of Viagra in the 90s, countless sexual enhancers / male enhancement supplements keep flooding the market. Many market themselves as the all-natural alternative to Viagra or even Herbal Viagra. Many of us believe that if a product is made of natural ingredients, it is completely safe but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Poison ivy is naturally occurring and so is lead but we all know that these substances are highly toxic and in some cases deadly. With the plethora of remedies for erectile dysfunction (ED) bombarding the internet and television each day, we hardly know anything about the products themselves or whether their ingredients are safe.

Many natural male enhancement supplements contain Yohimbe. Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in Western Africa. The bark of the tree contains the chemical compound Yohimbine, which has been widely used in prescription medicine for the treatment of ED. Though its prescription use has declined since the birth of Viagra, Yohimbe extracts are still commonly used in many natural male enhancers.

Recently, government agencies such as the FDA and Health Canada have placed Yohimbe under close scrutiny. In fact, Germany has banned Yohimbe due to concerns about its safety and effectiveness. Health Canada and the FDA have taken many dietary supplements – namely male enhancement products off the shelves following numerous reports of dangerous side effects associated with Yohimbe. It comes as no surprise that this herb has been the object of controversy.

Yohimbe functions to open up the blood vessels (particularly around the penis). This allows more blood to flow into the penis which results in an erection. It is also believed that Yohimbe may stimulate areas in the brain related to sexual desire. In addition, Yohimbe increases the release of norepinephrine which is one of the hormones that boosts the body’s energy level to its highest point (the fight or flight response). Moreover, the herb has been also known to have hallucinogenic effects.

Some reported side effects from yohimbe use include:

* Headache
* Dizziness
* insomnia,
* Anxiety
* rapid heartbeat
* increased blood pressure
* painful urination
* seizures
* kidney failure
* hallucinations
* paralysis

What about prescription drugs like Viagra?

Silenafil is the drug contained in Viagra. It belongs to a group of medicines known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5), a class of enzyme blockers. Sildenafil functions to increase the body’s levels of nitric oxide (chemical needed to achieve erection) by blocking the enzymes that destroy this chemical. When this occurs, the muscles in the body relax allowing blood to flow into the penile chambers. While Sildenafil and its prescription cousins have been proven highly effective at helping men achieve erection, there are some side effects that users may experience such as headaches or flushing. Some of the more serious side effects may include stroke, hearing loss, hypotension (low blood pressure) and increased heart rate among others. These prescription drugs are not recommended to those who are taking nitrates for heart conditions such as angina, or anyone who has any allergies to the ingredients in Sildenafil.

Furthermore many natural male enhancement products that market themselves as “all natural” contain traces or unregulated quantities Sildenafil or its prescription cousins Taladifil or Vardenifil. Some of these products have been pulled from the shelves and banned but many are still being sold through the internet in spite of these warnings. Such products that have been taken off the shelves include Stamina-Rx and Firm Dose among a slew of others. Another note of caution worth mentioning is that Extenze, a once popular male enhancement product, is still being sold even though the product was found to contain lead beyond the legal limit.

How can we tell which male enhancers are safe?

Because herbal supplements are not as strictly regulated as prescription drugs, it’s important to do as much research as possible about the ingredients before you choose a male enhancer. When choosing a male enhancement supplement take a look at the label and see if the product is manufactured at an FDA approved facility that follows strict GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standards such as uniformity, cleanliness, assurance that product does not contain contaminants, such as lead, mercury, animal feces or drugs. The label should also clearly state how much of the herb each dose contains. Ideally you should choose a supplement manufactured in North America that meets FDA standards.

Formualtions that Cnidium monnieri, L-Arginine, Tongkat Ali, Epimedium and Tribulus Terrestris are safer alternatives.

Cnidium works by improving blood circulation in the body as well as increasing the levels of nitric oxide. As a matter of fact, this herb has been in use for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat impotence. L-Arginine is an amino acid that can be found in many grain and meat products. The body also produces L-Arginine, though levels may decreases as a person ages. L-Arginine builds nitric oxide and improves blood circulation in the body (particularly the genital areas). This amino acid also promotes healing from illness or injury, boosts strength and energy and rids the body of harmful toxins. Tongkat Ali helps increase sperm count and acts as an anti-oxidant just like L-Arginine. Epimedium has been proven to boost libido and energy by enhancing the body’s release of endorphins. Tribulus Terrestris increases the body’s testosterone levels and sperm count.

When combined, these herbs can effectively reverse the effects of ED without the risk of side effects associated with Yohimbe or prescription drugs. Though it may seem difficult to find a good quality male enhancer that contains all of these ingredients in a single formula, it is possible – The Extenze Reviews are favorable. Extenze is manufactured in the U.S. at an FDA approved facility. The ingredients and the dosage are clearly indicated on Extenze’s bottle. Other fairly decent brands that contain a few (though not all) of these ingredients include VigRX and Sinrex.

If only all manufactures could follow Extenze example it would make choosing a male enhancement product that much easier.

Get a Extenze Free Trial today.

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Posted by On February - 24 - 2010

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