Men often worry about their sexual performance, and Uncle Li in his fifties is no exception. After his wife passed away early, he worked hard to raise his children until they started their own families and careers. He then decided to seek his "second spring." Fortunately, it didn’t take long for Uncle Li to find a caring girlfriend.

Shortly after their marriage, Uncle Li began to feel physically exhausted. He experienced soreness and weakness in his lower back and knees, and struggled with sexual performance. In an attempt to regain his vitality, he ignored his symptoms and, based on recommendations from pharmacies and friends, purchased over 10 different types of aphrodisiacs indiscriminately.

However, contrary to his expectations, these aphrodisiacs not only failed to restore his former vigor but also caused his health to deteriorate further, leaving him increasingly fatigued. One morning, Uncle Li found himself unable to get out of bed, accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and loss of appetite. After being rushed to the hospital for examination, the results were shocking: his transaminase levels had skyrocketed to over 1000, more than 20 times the normal range. He was ultimately diagnosed with "drug-induced liver injury."


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This painful lesson serves as a warning: aphrodisiacs are not "miracle drugs" to be taken lightly. Taking them incorrectly not only fails to solve the problem but can also cause serious harm to the body. The dangers of drug interactions, in particular, should never be underestimated.

Common Western medications like sildenafil and tadalafil are often referred to as "Viagra." Their mechanism of action involves relaxing the blood vessels in the penile corpus cavernosum, allowing blood to flow more freely and facilitating an erection. However, it is important to note that these two medications should not be taken together, as doing so can lead to numerous side effects and significant harm to the body. Potential adverse effects include lowered blood pressure, dizziness, headaches, and vertigo; digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain; neurological effects like migraines, insomnia, and anxiety; and cardiovascular risks, including palpitations and angina.

If you are taking medications for angina, such as nitroglycerin, you must avoid using "Viagra." Combining these drugs is a serious contraindication due to their interaction. There have been reports of severe hypotension and even myocardial infarction resulting from the concurrent use of sildenafil and nitrate medications, highlighting the significant danger.

As for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), formulas like Bawei Yishen Wan, Jinkui Shenqi Wan, Liuwei Dihuang Wan, Yougui Wan, and Zuogui Wan are known for their aphrodisiac effects. However, selecting TCM remedies requires careful consideration. Treatment must be tailored to the specific syndrome to be effective.


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Failing to distinguish between kidney yin deficiency and kidney yang deficiency can lead to adverse effects. For instance, taking a medicine intended to nourish kidney yin when one has kidney yang deficiency is like pouring water on a small fire, exacerbating the cold. Symptoms such as aversion to cold, cold limbs, edema, low energy, and gastrointestinal discomfort, including diarrhea or bloating, may worsen. Conversely, taking a medicine to tonify kidney yang when one has kidney yin deficiency is like adding fuel to a fire, potentially causing dizziness, tinnitus, irritability, and insomnia. Simultaneously taking several warming and tonifying TCM aphrodisiacs can lead to over-supplementation, causing the body to become excessively "heated," manifesting as sore throat, mouth ulcers, or nosebleeds.

In fact, most cases of erectile dysfunction today are caused by kidney yang deficiency. It is common for men in their fifties to experience erectile dysfunction and soreness in the lower back and knees. Addressing this requires medication specifically targeted at kidney yang deficiency, taken according to a prescribed course. TCM aims to treat both the symptoms and the root cause of kidney yang deficiency. For example, Danlong Bawei Yishen Wan combines classic formulas and innovatively pairs animal, insect, and herbal medicines to improve erectile dysfunction caused by kidney deficiency. Its formulation includes silkworm moths to regulate sex hormone levels and improve erectile function and libido; epimedium to tonify the kidney and strengthen yang, enhancing erection hardness and duration; deer antler glue, dodder seed, and eucommia bark to tonify the liver and kidney and boost physical strength; and prepared rehmannia root, Chinese yam, and Chinese angelica to nourish yin, replenish blood, and essence. The combination of these ingredients achieves dual tonification of yin and yang, with an emphasis on strengthening yang, making it more suitable for long-term management of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

Data shows that significant effects are generally observed after taking two bottles. It effectively improves erection hardness and duration, addresses low libido, and alleviates symptoms such as lower back pain, leg soreness, excessive sweating, and chills caused by kidney deficiency. The efficacy rate reaches 77.1%, comparable to sildenafil, but the incidence of side effects is only 1.94%, far lower than the 28.4% associated with Western medications. Furthermore, Bawei Yishen Wan does not contain sugars or components that elevate blood pressure or lipid levels, making it a preferred kidney-tonifying medication for individuals with conditions like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.


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Additionally, adjusting lifestyle habits is crucial for improving kidney yang deficiency. In daily life, it is important to maintain a regular sleep schedule, going to bed early and waking up early, while also keeping warm to avoid the invasion of cold pathogens that can worsen yang deficiency symptoms. In terms of diet, increase the intake of warm-natured foods such as lamb, walnuts, and longan to supplement kidney yang. Simultaneously, reduce the consumption of cold and raw foods like cold drinks and sashimi to prevent further depletion of yang energy. Engage in aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, or tai chi, 3 to 5 times per week to promote blood circulation, enhance metabolic function, and stimulate yang energy.

Uncle Li's experience undoubtedly serves as a wake-up call. The path to regaining vitality should not rely on blind medication use. The correct approach is to seek guidance from a professional physician while making lifestyle adjustments. Only then can one journey toward a healthy and fulfilling sexual life.