Health

Deadly Pursuit of Pleasure: How Unregulated Sex Enhancers Are Putting Men’s Lives at Risk

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 6th, 2025.

Deadly Pursuit of Pleasure: How Unregulated Sex Enhancers Are Putting Men’s Lives at Risk

In the bustling streets of Kano’s commercial hub—where the rhythm of daily life is set by blaring horns, tireless traders, and the constant hum of movement—a quieter, more dangerous crisis is taking shape.

This isn’t about crime or disease. It’s about choices—choices driven by misinformation, social pressure, and silence. An increasing number of men are turning to sex enhancement drugs, often laced with unknown substances, and many are paying with their lives.

Hidden behind whispers and stigma, the use—and abuse—of sex enhancers has become a silent killer. Reports have emerged of men collapsing in hotels during intimacy, or suffering complications that follow them long after the night is over.

Dr. A.I. Umar, a consultant production pharmacist and Deputy Director at the Drug Manufacturing Unit of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, describes the situation as a looming public health disaster.

“We’re seeing a dangerous trend: unregulated aphrodisiacs sold by unqualified vendors—people with no medical training—mixing potent synthetic drugs like Viagra into so-called ‘herbal’ formulas,” Umar warned.

Poison in Disguise

These products are often sold in plain sight—in bus stations, roadside stalls, or back alleys—disguised as natural and safe. Packaged in reused plastic bottles or small wrappers, they carry an illusion of being harmless.

But Umar made it clear: these concoctions are far from herbal remedies.

“They are essentially crushed pharmaceutical pills mixed with herbs and mystery substances. There’s no standardization, no dosage, no quality control—just dangerous guesswork,” he said.

The results? Rapid heartbeats, intense chest pain, internal organ stress, and in many cases, sudden death.

Pressure, Pride, and Silence

What drives young men, some barely in their twenties, to gamble with their health like this?

In many communities, manhood is often wrongly equated with sexual dominance. Conversations about sexual health are still shrouded in shame, pushing many to seek quick fixes from street vendors rather than trained healthcare professionals.

“This is not only a medical issue—it’s a deeply rooted cultural problem,” Umar stressed. “We need to ask: why are so many men afraid to seek help? What societal myths are pushing them toward these dangerous alternatives?”

The Way Forward

Although agencies like NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria have made efforts to clamp down on illegal drug sales, the black market for these products continues to flourish.

Umar argues that enforcement alone is not enough. Real progress requires a collective shift in mindset.

“Change must come from all corners—religious leaders, traditional institutions, schools, and the media. We need to break the silence and educate our youth. Masculinity is not about performance—it’s about responsibility and self-awareness.”

His warning is clear and urgent: “No moment of pleasure is worth a lifetime lost.”