Strong relationships are based on mutual respect, trust and the kind of love that accepts each other’s weaknesses. However, reality also dictates that the physical expression of this love is a strong factor in deepening the relationship. And whether couples admit it or not, sexual performance is something that will play a significant role in a relationship. In Philippine culture, the burden is almost always on the male.
According to experts, men who experience inadequate sexual performance or worse, erectile dysfunction (ED), are not just affected physically but emotionally as well, and they suffer the effects of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and decrease in quality of life. Since men are more introverted, they keep their feelings to themselves without expressing how they truly feel, and this could lead them to become emotionally distant from the people in their lives.
According to psychiatrist Dr. Rodney Dalisay, men with sexual performance problems tend to feel guilty for not being able to satisfy their partner. “This could also lead to feelings of inadequacy of not being ‘man’ enough to provide the sexual needs of their partner. They avoid or shun away from situations leading to sexual intimacy. They may put up reasons to avoid the act itself to avoid further embarrassment. This could lead to a strained relationship with their partner. In the long run, this could bring about anxiety, or worse lead to depression,” explains Dr. Dalisay.
Unlike common perception, sexual performance problems can occur in adults of all ages. Admittedly, among those commonly affected are seniors, which may be related to a decline in health associated with aging. However, with all the stresses of modern life, it is not only advanced age that causes a decline in male sexual performance, as anxiety and physical health conditions can also be to blame.
A decline in a man’s sexual performance, explains Dr. Dalisay, could be part of a bigger condition called performance anxiety. “Psychologically, this condition occurs in men with a preconceived idea of fear or dread that they cannot perform well in bed for several reasons, one of which is being unable to achieve or have a lasting erection to sustain the sexual act.”
A lot of men may not admit it, but thoughts about their sexual capabilities also haunt them: “Will I have a sustained erection to fulfill my partner?” or “Will I ejaculate faster than my partner, making her unsatisfied?” are just some of the doubts that run in their heads.
“There are other reasons that could lead to this, like someone who is going through some stressful situation, depression and many more (which warrants a different interview),” the doctor smiles, adding that physical or anatomic factors might also lead to an impaired sexual performance. These include a venous leak in the blood supply to the penis, narrowed or blocked arteries. “Medical conditions on the other hand like diabetes, prostate problem, neurological problem like excessive smoking and alcohol intake all contribute to sexual performance problems. There is a wide array of medical conditions that could lead to it.”
Surprisingly, sexual performance deficiencies are also common among younger men. Twenty-four-year-old Ramcis Francisco explains that men his age believes they should rock under the sheet. “You are young and your partner expects a lot from you that’s why we should be ready with our performance all the time. But with the daily stress caused by traffic and work, minsan nakakapagod talaga.”
Some men who feel like they are underperforming in bed resort to those wonder pills to help them perform better. However, Dr. Dalisay – who is a Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Psychiatry and a Fellow of the Philippine Psychiatric Association – warns consumers to take extra precautions before resorting to sexual pills available in the market. Men need to understand exactly how the erection process takes place and what are the essential ingredients to help remedy any problems or boost their performance, he emphasizes.
Perhaps to understand the condition better, a medical perspective is warranted. The penis is comprised of three main chambers, which consist of sponge-like tissues. During an erection, these chambers – the Corpora Cavernosa along the penis shaft and the Corpus Spongiosum that runs down the urethra – are filled with blood that rushes to the area during sexual arousement. The fuller the chambers, the firmer and stiffer the penis will become and the longer the erection can be sustained. For any good supplement to work well, it must contain substances that improve the overall blood flow to the penile area.
So how helpful are wonder pills in improving a man’s performance? There are several over-the-counter supplements available in the market today. One of these “wonder pills” is The Black Rhino, a natural male performance booster specifically designed to improve sexual performance. It is derived from combined natural extracts and ingredients blended together into a proprietary formula to make the sex act last longer which helps enhance a couple’s fulfillment and satisfaction. The Black Rhino is also said to help promote natural increase of testosterone to improve stamina, energy and performance. While many performance formulas are natural, not all contain clinically tested ingredients and for this reason, one may end up spending a lot of money on products that ultimately just don’t work.
These ingredients – Horny Goat Weed, Tongkat Ali and Puncture Vine – form a powerful and effective formulation that has been proven both in scientific and consumer studies.
Epimedium Glandiflorum or Horny Goat Weed comes from a plant found in Asia and the Mediterranean area. The active ingredient is called Icariin, and the weed’s most common use is as an aphrodisiac and sexual enhancer – specifically to treat low libido and erectile dysfunction. It also helps provide relief from menopausal discomfort. In recent studies, a daily dose of Horny Goat Weed extract has shown significant results as a sexual performance enhancer for both men and women – boosting sexual energy and stamina. Athletes also reportedly take this supplement to increase testosterone levels.
Eurycoma Longifolia or Tongkat Ali (also known as Long Jack) is another natural testosterone supplement that has been used for centuries. It comes from a plant found in Southeast Asia. The active ingredient in Tongkat Ali is popular in alternative medicine for its so-called testosterone enhancing properties – it helps release free testosterone in a man’s body. It is used in alternative medicine to treat erectile dysfunction.
Tribulus Terrestris or Puncture Vine on the other hand is a natural testosterone supplement that has been around for many years. It contains components that can increase testosterone levels in men. It is most often used for infertility, erectile dysfunction, and low libido.
The above mentioned sexual herbs are also available individually in different brand names all over the world. Men sometimes combine these products to make it more effective in increasing their physical performance. But as what most doctors would say, male performance supplements are not prescription drugs – they are not meant to treat or improve sexual performance deficiencies. Like most natural supplements, they provide gradual, moderate, and natural approach to performance enhancement. They are meant to improve health and wellness, rather than act as the treatment for a specific disease. Drugs are used for the treatment of disease, and tend to work by modifying or altering specific biological pathways, sometimes in a powerful manner.
While it is not intended for the treatment of any erectile dysfunction or disease like what Viagra or Cialis does, sexual performance boosters help men whose condition simply requires an extra boost and power to last longer in bed and to add up the spice in a relationship. More often than not, all men need are a boost to enhance their desire and get them in the mood to physically express their love to their partners. It could be a backrub to help him relax after a stressful day at work, or a special candle-lit dinner (never mind if you had the food catered or delivered from a favorite resto) – whatever works to make him feel loved and appreciated.
“But, if a male is suffering from extreme sexual decline, it is prudent to seek professional medical advice,” reminds Dr. Dalisay.
