"It's alright, dear. It happens to everyone sometimes." Spoken by spouses and partners of men who experience difficulty to 'perform', these words offer little relief to a man's bruised ego.

Unlike women's sexual health issues which are openly discussed, the same topic for the male species seems to be somewhat taboo.

Socially, men are perceived to be 'strong' and 'virile' and therefore impotence, infertility and premature ejaculation are not something afflicted men like to admit to.

Problems like these can therefore be sources of great embarrassment and humiliation, and most men suffer in silence.

Since most men over identify their masculinity with their sexual prowess (as well as penile size), to admit that they may be suffering performance problems is regarded as a virtual admission that one is not really a man.

Herbal male enhancer

Mother Nature has long been the source of many aesthetic herbal remedies such as the traditional medicine practices of aborigines and the local indigenous.

One herb - butea superba - cultivated in the plains of Thailand has been used for hundreds of years now. Extracted from the roots of the herb, this natural compound has a molecular structure that makes it a natural PDE 5 inhibitor (thus making it a natural male enhancer).

The research and development behind identifying the many benefits of this wonder compound was studied and documented by award-winning biomedical researcher Dr Wichai Cherdshewasart of Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.

Dr Wichai identified the active component of butea superba and provided the actual supporting scientific data and clinical tests that confirmed its natural ability to improve erectile function.

Consequently, Vitroman Butea Gel, a topical application available OTC, was developed based on Dr Wichai's scientific findings and research on the effects of the butea superba herb.

Mr Ng, 58, suffered problems in maintaining an erection during sex but was unable to take prescribed drugs for his problem due to other underlying medical conditions.

Willing to try alternative remedies, Mr Ng started using Vitroman Butea Gel as a topical application. Since commencing this herbal treatment, Mr Ng now feels suitably recharged and revitalised. He says, "Best of all, my libido has returned and I feel like a man again."

A safe alternative

According to pharmacist Gabriel Siu of Gabriel's Pharmacy & Healthcare, Woodlands, "Some men may have adverse reaction to potent prescription drugs, especially those who may be suffering from heart ailments, high blood pressure and even diabetes.

For this group of people, a herbal remedy (in the form of topical application or taken orally) would be more appropriate."

Siu explains, "Reports have shown that butea superba contains an active ingredient that is able to increase cyclic GMP production. It initially relaxes the penis and thereafter increases blood flow to it, resulting in an erection."

"We do hear favourable comments from men aged 50 and above about this product," Siu says.