With global erectile dysfunction cases projected to exceed 320 million by 2025, trends in the country suggest that Nigeria could contribute reasonably to the grim statistics, as many are turning to fake and unregulated aphrodisiacs, often without medical guidance. This frantic search for phallic prowess and sexual validation has engendered a boom in the “manpower” business. With telling medical consequences, including cardiovascular complications, organ damage, and priapism, which can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated in a timely manner, concerned authorities must engage a higher gear if the malaise must be kept at bay, IJEOMA NWANOSIKE reports.

By whatever metrics deployed, Aigbodu Osas, ticked all the boxes and qualified to be described as a handsome young man.

With a good job, tall, sociable, and in a steady relationship, the 28-year-old radiated strong masculinity and confidence. But the night he swallowed his first sex pill, it wasn’t confidence that he felt; rather, it was desperation.

It started with a joke. One evening, after an otherwise ordinary round of intimacy, Osas’ girlfriend teasingly, and almost thoughtlessly, told him that her ex “used to last longer.”

While she laughed off after the remarks, he didn’t, as those words lacerated his ego. When he found his voice afterwards, he remarked: “I thought I was doing okay, but after that comment by her, I was not sure again.”

He couldn’t sleep all night. At dawn, he walked into a chemist in Benin, where glossy packs of sex enhancers with names like Wild Tiger, Black Stallion, Hyergra, and Rhino Max, as well as bitters, and energy boosters lined the shelves like candy. No prescription. No questions. He picked one, a small, bright-blue capsule that claimed to ignite performance and stamina, and that night, it worked wonders.

Expectedly, his girlfriend showered him with praise, and for the first time, Osas felt powerful and more in control.

Encouraged by the praise and intoxicated by a newfound sense of virility, Osas didn’t stop at one pill. He and his girlfriend began experimenting, dabbling in everything from local herbal concoctions and bitters to homebrewed aphrodisiac cocktails. Their sex life became a kind of performance art, and Osas, the lead actor, until the script took a dark turn.

After a quick nap one evening, months after binging on performance enhancers, his illusion of control was shattered as Osas woke up to a painful, unrelenting erection, without any pill, stimulation, or warning. “It was scary, and the thing lasted for about three hours. My head was pounding. I didn’t know what was happening,” he recalled.

The unwarranted erection petered away, but returned two weeks later, shattering Osas’ belief that it was a one-off thing. The priapism, which lasted for five hours this time, became the turning point for Osas, forcing him to stop the pills, the bitters, and sundry cocktails. But by then, the damage had already begun; without spiking his system, he couldn’t perform at the frequency he rose to. As a consequence, the relationship fell apart within a short while.

“She thought I wasn’t interested anymore; she didn’t understand what I was dealing with.”

Months later, Osas found love again, but in the middle of an intimate moment, a different nightmare struck. “No matter how long we tried, I just couldn’t climax. It was like my body forgot how to finish.”

Haunted by shame and confusion, he finally sought help. A doctor ran tests, asked questions, and delivered a sobering truth: overstimulation from sex boosters had numbed his natural response.

Today, Osas is still recovering, not just physically, but emotionally. He’s one of a growing number of young Nigerian men trapped in a web of performance pressure, where conversations around sex are often shrouded in silence, and validation is measured in minutes of pummeling and the volume of moans.

While Osas was battling the pressure to perform, Ajeibi, a 34-year-old mother of three, was struggling to keep her marriage from crumbling under the weight of fading desire.

After the birth of her third child, she noticed a shift. Her husband, once full of affection and physical longing, had grown distant. Months passed without intimacy, then a year. Whenever she tried to initiate, to reignite their connection, he responded with excuses- “I’m tired, I’m busy, I’m not in the mood”, etc.

They hadn’t always been like this. In the early years of their marriage, they had a vibrant sex life; passionate, playful, full of connection. But now, the silence in their bedroom felt louder than any argument.

One night, after much prodding, he finally said the words that haunted her: “You’re not the same anymore… Your body isn’t like it was before.” He didn’t say it cruelly, but the words landed like a slap, raw and unrelenting. She carried them to bed that night, and every night after.

Desperate to save her marriage and restore their intimacy, Ajeibi confided in two close friends. They listened, nodded, and then offered a solution whispered in many women’s circles: vaginal tightening creams, gels and aphrodisiac mixtures— natural, safe, and guaranteed to bring back the spark.

She ordered them all. The creams promised to restore her “grip.” The herbs would cleanse and tighten. The pills would help with lubrication and make her feel ready again, just like in the beginning.

At first, things seemed to improve. Her husband started touching her again, became more interested, more responsive. She felt hopeful and doubled down, using the products consistently, afraid to stop what seemed to be fixing her home.

But then came the side effects: soreness, itching, and a slow-burning discomfort that worsened each day. A strange discharge stained her underwear, and then light bleeding. Still, she kept using the products. She told herself it was her body adjusting, just like the vendors said.

Eventually, the pain became unbearable. At the hospital, the diagnosis revealed severe vaginal inflammation, micro-tears on the vaginal walls, and a developing infection. The products that promised to rekindle her marriage had instead left her body wounded and betrayed.

For Bala Isa, the wound was much older; first inflicted in a secondary school dormitory when he was just 16.

He remembered the laughter clearly; a group of boys teasing a classmate for being “small.” Someone joked it looked like “a baby’s finger.” Isa didn’t laugh. He couldn’t. He was too busy wondering if they would say the same about him.

The jokes faded, but the insecurity took root. In his late 20s, a girlfriend’s offhand remark reopened the scar: “I like men who make me feel…full, you know.”

Days after Isa’s mind kept processing what gives his girlfriend her kicks, he spotted a flyer posted near Ojuelegba flyover: “100% Natural enlargement with guaranteed results,” it proclaimed.

He didn’t hesitate. The seller gave him a complete kit: powdered roots, thick herbal oil, and firm instructions: “Apply twice a day and no sex for two weeks.” The first time he did, it burned. “That means it’s working,” he was told. For two weeks, he endured the pain and inflammation. Then fear. Then, the numbness came. “I couldn’t feel anything. Not even pain, nothing at all,” he recalled.

Panicked, he rushed to a private clinic, and after a series of tests, the result indicated early signs of nerve damage and chemical irritation. The doctor told him that if he had waited longer, he could have lost function entirely. Despite these, Isa revealed that he is still in search of a size solution and believes it’s out there somewhere.

Sex boosters: As silent epidemic

Osas, Ajeibi, and Isa have never met, but they share a painful thread- the quiet pressure to meet impossible expectations, the use of unregulated products in pursuit of sexual validation, and the lasting scars those decisions have left behind.

Their stories are far from being unique. Beneath the surface of Nigeria’s booming market for sex enhancement products, sold along the streets, in kiosks, WhatsApp status and DMs, there lies a growing population of men and women battling side effects, emotional trauma, and in some cases, irreversible damage to organs, etc.

Out there, the promises are seductive: “Feel like a man again,” “Tighten your womanhood,” “Last all night,” but the price? Dignity, health and sometimes even identity. This epidemic is rarely discussed; not in classrooms, religious spaces, or even in marriages, but the silence doesn’t make it any less real.

Sex pills, also known as sexual enhancers or boosters, are dietary supplements or medications marketed to improve sexual desire, performance, or treat erectile dysfunction. These products can range from herbal supplements to prescription drugs, and their effectiveness and safety vary widely.

These include medications like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra), which are PDE5 inhibitors used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Nigeria’s sex booster industry is no longer a fringe trade. It has become mainstream, driven by young adults experimenting with concoctions that blur the line between curiosity and danger.

Research underscores the scale of the trend

Across the country, an increasing percentage of the adult population, particularly in the North, is heavily into the use of traditional medicine (TM) for sexual enhancement, a study found not long ago, with Islamic medicine being the most common type.

Among the gamut of reasons advanced for using TM include treating/managing erectile dysfunction, treating infertility, satisfying a partner, and increasing sexual drive, among others. ,

The 2024 study published in BMC Public Health surveying nearly 800 adults in the area, found that 64 per cent had used traditional medicine for sexual enhancement at least once. Among them, those aged 21–30 made up almost half of all users, followed closely by those in their mid-to-late twenties.

In another 2022 survey in Southwestern Nigeria, 79 per cent of male respondents between the ages of 20 and 35 admitted to having tried sexual performance enhancers, with nearly a third using them weekly. The study found that while 76 per cent of users reported no immediate side effects, 20.7 per cent experienced mild adverse effects, and 3.3 per cent had severe reactions requiring hospitalisation.

Furthermore, in a research paper titled, “Over-the-counter (OTC) sales of male sexual enhancement products among community pharmacists in Ogun State, Uduakobong E. Bassey, of the Faculty of Community Pharmacy, West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, Yaba, Lagos State, and Timothy O. Fajemirokun, of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, who set out to investigate the extent of over-the-counter sales of male sexual enhancement products by community pharmacists in Ogun State returned with mindboggling findings.

They found out that most respondents sold male sexual enhancement products daily, particularly sildenafil (64.9 per cent) and tadalafil (50.0 per cent). The highest proportion of the respondents (86.8 per cent) sold the products without prescription, but offered medication counselling, while 19.3 per cent asked for a prescription before selling the products. About 46 per cent sold the products over the counter based on the assumption that the users were conversant with the products.

They therefore concluded that sales of male sexual enhancement products over the counter are a common practice among community pharmacists in Ogun State.

Earlier on, a Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal review reported rising global use of sexual-enhancing herbal supplements, with erectile dysfunction cases expected to surpass 320 million by 2025.

A market without borders with concomitant worries

AS the number of users of sex boosters grows with attendant rising cases of cardiovascular complications, the dwindling number of urologists and cardiologists in the country presents an even greater danger for victims. Nigeria currently has about 500 cardiologists to cater for the medical needs of a population estimated to be over 200 million.

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Urologists are physicians and surgeons who specialise in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the urinary system, while cardiologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who specialise in treating diseases of the cardiovascular system, mainly the heart and blood vessels.

In detail, cardiology deals with heart disorders and the cardiovascular system, including medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart disease, and electrophysiology.

It was in the midst of this unfortunate scenario that a Professor of Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Chinyere Mbakwem, not long ago, lamented that while the pool of skilled cardiologists in the country was thinning out due to migration to other countries, young doctors in-country were reluctant to go through the rigours of specialisation due to poor remuneration.

That said, the range of sex enhancing products is as diverse as it is unregulated. Prescription drugs like sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are sold without prescriptions in small chemist shops. On the streets, herbal mixtures of roots, barks, and alcohol, often in recycled plastic containers, promise stamina and virility.

A few months ago, Harvard Health Publishing warned that some sex supplements hide prescription drug ingredients such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5i), found in Viagra, that can trigger dangerous, even fatal reactions, yet they remain widely sold despite safety concerns.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), along with collaborating stakeholders like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), have, in recent times, raised alarm over the influx of substandard or fake sex enhancement drugs into the country.

For example, on the 3rd of August, 2025, the agencies confiscated 16 containers of substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products worth about N20.5 billion in street value, including 280 packs of Hyergra tablets (a counterfeit version of sildenafil citrate) at Onne Port, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Also, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, the agencies said they intercepted five containers of sex-enhancement drugs and other prohibited pharmaceuticals valued at N921 billion imported through Apapa Port, Lagos.

According to customs officials, this number represents a 34.6 per cent increase in the influx, compared to the same period in 2024.

Breaking down the seizures, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, explained that one of the containers held more than 1,000 cartons of sildenafil-based sex enhancement tablets, while another contained over 1,400 packages of unregistered products branded as “plus big booty tablets.”

He described the influx of such unregulated sexual performance drugs, which were falsely declared as cosmetics, as a disturbing trend, stressing that smugglers were increasingly resorting to sophisticated tactics, including mis-declaration of goods and concealment with cosmetic products, in a bid to evade detection.

The Director of Ports Inspection, NAFDAC, Dr. Olakunle Olaniran, explained that some of the seized products were packaged for mental health, but turned out to be a fake version of Viagra.

According to him, the counterfeit Viagra had been packaged deceptively, with misleading images, to attract unsuspecting buyers.

He stressed that medicines like Viagra or its generic equivalent, Sildenafil, should only be used by individuals who have been clinically diagnosed with erectile dysfunction under a doctor’s supervision to avoid possible interactions with other drugs, which could cause organ damage or even death.

‘Prolonged use of exogenous testosterone supplements could induce male infertility’

HUMAN risk assessment of these boosters and sex pills by independent laboratory tests revealed more alarming dangers. For instance, a 2019 study in Port Harcourt published in the National Library of Medicine found that herbal sex enhancers sold in pharmaceutical shops contained unsafe levels of heavy metals, including lead, cobalt, cadmium, and chromium, which may be contributing to male infertility in Nigeria.

The Head of the Urology Unit at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Dr. Apata Kehinde, warned that while medically recommended enhancers generally do not cause infertility, prolonged use of exogenous testosterone supplements, often combined with boosters for bodybuilding, can significantly reduce sperm production.

He clarified that approved sexual enhancers do not cause prostatitis or prostate cancer; however, exogenous testosterone could accelerate the spread of undetected prostate cancer in high-risk individuals.

Kehinde, who explained that the most commonly used medically approved enhancers include sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil, however, noted that many young men also rely on roadside herbal concoctions, whose components are largely unknown and are frequently overdosed.

According to him, prolonged or excessive consumption of some substances could worsen sexual performance over time rather than improve it.

“Most of the time, the negative effects of unregulated sex boosters without medical supervision do not occur immediately, but may manifest 10 to 20 years later as erectile dysfunction or other sexual health problems,” he said.

The urologist also revealed that kidney failure cases have been linked to the misuse of herbal sexual boosters, while some patients have developed priapism, which can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated within 6 to 24 hours.

He linked the surge in sexual enhancer drugs among young men to peer pressure and misinformation on social media, noting that many people with normal sexual function resort to enhancers after being misled by non-experts online.

The consultant added that women using vaginal tightening creams for lubrication may initially see benefits, but could later suffer irritation, vaginal dryness, altered pH balance, and recurrent infections.

He advised both men and women to prioritise regular aerobic exercise as a safer, natural way to boost sexual performance, and to seek medical advice before using any enhancer.

A medical professional in Anaesthetic and Intensive Care, Dr. Akintade Adegboyega, expressed concern over the growing trend of younger Nigerian men using sexual performance-enhancing drugs without medical supervision.

Adegboyega, who told The Guardian that the trend has been on for at least seven years, with many young users quickly developing tolerance to the drugs, added that such tolerance often leads to the use of higher doses, multiple combinations, or unapproved and dangerous alternatives.

He explained that once dependence sets in, users may find themselves unable to perform sexually without the drugs, describing this as a dangerous cycle. “No matter the quantity they take, they may never achieve the desired effect again,” he warned.

He emphasised that erectile dysfunction can have psychological or organic causes that require proper diagnosis, and warned that indiscriminate use of drugs like Viagra is not a long-term solution.

“Unfortunately, these products are doing more harm than good. The damage is enormous, especially for men in their twenties already hooked on them,” he said

Advising men to avoid using these drugs entirely, Adegboyega cautioned that it could have serious side effects, including heart failure and other cardiac complications, particularly in people with undiagnosed health problems and stressed that they should only be taken under medical guidance.

Spousal understanding, emotional well-being, reduced stress key to enduring relationships

THE Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON), Dr. Sixtus Ozuomba, is of the opinion that most of the performance-related issues plaguing marriages are a result of underlying stress.

According to him, sexual performance in men is closely tied to psychological and emotional well-being, with stress, financial hardship, and relationship conflict significantly affecting erectile function and should be treated as such rather than relying on enhancement drugs.

Ozuomba, a consultant family physician, expressed worry over rising sexual health misconceptions and noted that the problem is worsened by irresponsible advertising that promotes unrealistic sexual performance expectations.

The physician also highlighted the role of spousal understanding in preserving male sexual confidence, warning that hurtful comments, criticism, and lack of empathy can trigger performance anxiety and worsen erectile problems.

He explained that when such tensions persist, men may seek validation outside their relationships, creating further strain.

The drivers of this epidemic, he told The Guardian, extend beyond commerce. In a society where sexual health is rarely discussed in classrooms, religious spaces, or marriages, myths and misconceptions flourish.

Speaking with The Guardian, a marriage counsellor and founder of Happy Family Ministries International, Ojonimi Ojotule, noted that while discussions around the use of performance enhancers remain largely muted, especially in conservative environments, their usage is more common than many admit.

However, he stressed that while these enhancers may improve the sexual aspect of a relationship, they do not guarantee overall marital satisfaction, adding that couples often mistake sexual activity for emotional connection.

He cautioned against overreliance on sex pills, arguing that such dependence can mask deeper issues in relationships. “Instead of confronting emotional distance or communication breakdowns, many couples opt for quick fixes. Even public messages increasingly portray prolonged sexual activity as the norm, as you hear things like, ‘A real man should go three rounds non-stop,’ and it begins to distort people’s perception of what a normal and healthy sex life should look like.”

According to him, when emotional intimacy is lacking, sex becomes a performance rather than an expression of connection, and performance pressure is a key psychological consequence of using sexual boosters.

He explained that when couples rely on enhancers to maintain or exceed certain sexual expectations, it creates anxiety and unrealistic standards. “What happens when the pill stops working? It can lead to frustration, fear, and eventually, dissatisfaction,” he said.

Ojotule emphasised the need for openness between partners, especially when it comes to sexual challenges, just as he advised couples to seek professional guidance—whether from medical practitioners or sex therapists—rather than self-medicating or acting in secrecy. “Seeing a sex therapist doesn’t mean something is wrong. It can help improve connection and communication. The pressure and anxiety these drugs create can destabilise marriages. They mask real issues and leave emotional or psychological needs unaddressed.” (The Guardian)