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Essentials of Male Sexual Health

Understanding male sexual health and natural remedies for dysfunction.

― 5 min read


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Male sexuality plays a big part in how a man feels about life. Think of it as a team effort where the brain, blood system, hormones, and reproductive parts all need to work together. If something goes wrong in any of these areas, it can mess with a man’s sex life.

When we talk about sexual dysfunction, it means any problems a man faces during sexual activities. This could include anything from feeling aroused, getting an erection, to when things get a little "too physical." One of the most common issues is Erectile Dysfunction (ED). This happens when a man struggles to get or keep an erection that feels right for a good experience.

The Stats on Sexual Dysfunction

Believe it or not, sexual dysfunction affects a lot of guys. Studies show that about half of men between the ages of 40 and 70 face some level of this issue. That’s right; it’s not just a "you" thing-many men deal with these challenges.

Research from different countries has found that the rates of ED are pretty similar across many cultures. For instance, in Nigeria, over half of men seeking medical help have some difficulties in this area. The same goes for Egypt and Pakistan, where rates are even higher! It seems that age, diabetes, prostate issues, and even feeling down can make ED more likely.

What Treatments Are Available?

So, what can be done about it? The most popular treatments for ED are medications that include names you might have heard-like sildenafil and tadalafil. These work by increasing the amount of a substance called cGMP which helps more blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection.

But, like everything, these medications can have side effects. You might get headaches, stuffy noses, or even back pain. And be careful; if you take certain heart medications, combining them with ED drugs can lead to serious problems.

The Role of Natural Remedies

In many cultures, people have turned to natural remedies to improve Sexual Health. One interesting option is a fruit called Azanza garckeana, which is pretty popular in Northern Nigeria. This fruit is used in traditional medicine and claims to help with a range of health issues, including sexual problems.

People believe this fruit works as an aphrodisiac, which means it can boost sex drive. Some studies have shown that extracts from this fruit can improve sexual behavior in female rats. This has led researchers to explore whether it can do the same for male rats.

How Researchers Study the Effects

Researchers have been using smart tools to study how Azanza garckeana might help with sexual health. They look for specific targets, like phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5), which plays a role in how blood flows during an erection.

By checking the different compounds found in the Azanza garckeana fruit, scientists can figure out if any of them might be effective. They prepare these compounds and mix them to see if they can react well with the PDE5 target.

Testing Methods: A Peek Behind the Curtain

Researchers get the fruit, clean it, and then extract its various components to see what's inside. They check for important substances that might help with sexual health.

Then, they test these extracts on male rats to see how their sexual behavior changes. Researchers measure how often the males mount, how long it takes for them to get ready for action, and how long they last once they start. This is quite the experiment!

What Did They Find?

The exciting news is that the rats showed some positive responses! When given the Azanza garckeana fruit extract, the rats increased their sexual activity. They were mounting more frequently, getting ready quicker, and lasting longer.

This means that the extract might really impact how male sexual health is supported. Increased Testosterone levels in those rats were also observed. Higher testosterone usually means greater sexual desire. Who would have thought that a fruit could pack such a punch?

Traditional Use Meets Modern Science

The traditional use of Azanza garckeana fruit has long been part of the culture in Northern Nigeria. This study might help to confirm what local folks have known for generations. If researchers continue to find good results, maybe more men will start looking for natural ways to support their sexual health.

Wrapping Up: Nature and Science

Overall, the findings suggest that nature can bring some interesting solutions to health issues such as sexual dysfunction. While the medical world often focuses on pills, there might be more straightforward and natural options to help many men out there.

So, if you ever come across Azanza garckeana, whether in a market or a local remedy shop, consider giving it a thought. Who knows-it might be the secret ingredient that helps boost sexual health and happiness!

And remember, laughter is the best medicine-well, unless you have erectile dysfunction; then, maybe consider a fruit salad too!

Original Source

Title: In-silico Targeting Phosphodiesterase 5 and In-vivo Evaluation of the Aphrodisiac Effect of Azanza garckeana Fruit

Abstract: Sexual dysfunction is a persistent problem affecting men, with erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation being the most common. The current treatment involving the use of PhPDE5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil, is faced with some serious side effects. In Nigeria, there are claims that Azanza garckeana fruit has positive effects in male sexual dysfunction. This study aims to evaluate this claim of the aphrodisiac effects of Azanza garckeana, using computational and animal models. The 3D structures of the protein target of interest (phosphodiesterase) and 21 phytocompounds already isolated from and identified in the fruit were obtained from the Protein Data Bank and PubChem, respectively. The protein targets and the phytocompounds were prepared for molecular docking simulation using the Autodock tool. The docking was performed using Autodock-vina on the Linux platform. Phytocompounds with high specificity for the protein targets were identified, and their solubility profile was obtained. The fruits were extracted with ethanol using a Soxhlet apparatus at 60{degrees}C and concentrated with a rotary evaporator at 40{degrees}C. Phytochemical tests were conducted on the extract, and acute toxicity was evaluated using OECD 423 guidelines. The aphrodisiac effect was studied in-vivo using a rat model. Parameters such as mount and intromission frequencies, mount and ejaculation latency and testosterone levels were assessed. Three phytocompounds showed better binding affinity for phosphodiesterase 5 than the reference compounds and were also found to be a good target for the proteins of interest. The extract was found to contain steroids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. The results from the in-vivo study demonstrated significant increases (p

Authors: Ejiofor InnocentMary Ifedibaluchukwu, Ezeanya Jennifer Ifeoma, Ibe Chioma Ifeoma, Ogbue Onyeka Cyril, Emodi Rita Chisom, Agueze Jennifer Chinwendu, Ani Chibuike Sylvanus

Last Update: 2024-11-03 00:00:00

Language: English

Source URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.10.30.621167

Source PDF: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.10.30.621167.full.pdf

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Changes: This summary was created with assistance from AI and may have inaccuracies. For accurate information, please refer to the original source documents linked here.

Thank you to biorxiv for use of its open access interoperability.

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