Most Chinese people are terribly shy when it comes to sex, yet you wouldn't know it judging from the size of the country's market for aphrodisiac medicines.
But investigations have revealed that many of these sex-life enhancers are in fact questionable experimental medicines disguised as "food-related health products." Some even contain additives used in veterinary drugs.
Along with the temptation of high profits and low risks, the number of pharmaceutical factories making unqualified sexual health products is on the rise, thanks in large part to gaping loopholes in the law and a lack of supervision.
Lab mouse
Xu Qing (alias), 40, is a resident of Xicheng District in Beijing. Xu revealed that he often buys male enhancement pills at adult shops, so much so that he jokingly refers to himself as a "lab mouse" for drug testing.
Xu takes the pills to improve the quality of his sex life, but says sometimes they don't work or even come with side effects. Once he felt dizzy and heard a pounding in his ears after taking an aphrodisiac.
Xu told Beijing News that even if one wants to buy these products they are not always easy to get. That's because shop owners usually keep them hidden in order to thwart sudden inspections.
Though many sexual drugs are sold in China, many of them are banned, yet they still find ways around the law. For example, "Magic Viagra," a replica of the well-known Viagra brand, but in a different package, is registered under the approval of a "food-type" healthcare product, but not for medical use.
Another product called "Black and White" claims in its instructions that it can cure impotence and premature ejaculation, and is also good for treatment of prostatitis. The product exaggerates that one single pill can boost a man's sexual competency for up to 168 hours.
Despite these "credible" instructions, such products are not allowed for sale as aphrodisiac medicine in the country, and are not registered as medical healthcare products.
Illegal additives
Aphrodisiac medicines have been in demand in China throughout history.
In ancient times, maintaining sexual potency was a major concern for both men and women. By reading historical documents, it was discovered that all emperors showed eagerness to obtain medicines of longevity and potency.
Since then, there have been many kinds of natural aphrodisiac medicines made of plant and animal ingredients, such as ginseng, horny goat weed and toad venom.
But these days, sexual health products are all made from chemicals, among which "Viagra powder" is the most popular. Viagra powder refers to the ingredient contained in its namesake drug, as well as Cialis and Levitra.
However, according to Zhang Hua, an insider of the sexual health product industry, over 80% of the medicines in China are counterfeit products. Zhang also revealed that some of the medicines are mixed with veterinary drugs.
In August, China's state-run CCTV reported that a number of sexual health products contained chicken feed and maltodextrin as their primary raw materials, as well as animal drugs used as sexual stimulants.
A dangerous industry
Xu Qing said he had become scared of taking sexual health products too frequently since one of his friends had lost his hearing after trying a new enhancement pill.
A drug requires years of clinical trials before it can enter the market, but many sexual health products in China are being sold without the approval of the State Drug Administration, noted Hu Haixiang, director of the Department of Andrology at Air Force General Hospital.
Hu added that such products usually cause the dilation of blood vessels. If someone overdoses on the pills, or if the medicine contains an excessive amount of a chemical such as sildenafil, it may cause blurry vision, dizziness and intense thirst.
Government departments must cooperate with each other to plug the loopholes in management and crack down on the disorderly industry, in order to ensure the safety of sexual stimulant users, he said.
