The patient sought examination at the Men's Health Center after experiencing about 5 months of reduced libido and difficulty maintaining an erection. He stated that he often ordered raw oysters during drinking sessions, having heard from friends that it was a dish to boost male prowess.
On 2/7, Doctor Tra Anh Duy reported that the patient's medical history revealed he often slept late, experienced prolonged work stress, had a sedentary lifestyle, gained weight, and regularly consumed alcohol. Clinical examination showed a waist circumference of 99 cm and a BMI of 28 kg/m2. His blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood fat levels were all elevated, and his morning testosterone was at a near-low level. While a semen analysis did not show significant abnormalities, metabolic health and lifestyle were identified as the primary factors contributing to his declining performance.
According to Doctor Duy, many men believe in foods rumored to be "sexual enhancers" but overlook more impactful causes like sleep deprivation, stress, abdominal obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and metabolic diseases.
In reality, oysters are indeed rich in zinc, a vital micronutrient for immunity, metabolism, and male reproductive health. Zinc is linked to testosterone production, spermatogenesis, and sperm quality. However, consuming more zinc-rich foods is only significantly beneficial for individuals who are genuinely deficient in this micronutrient. For those who are not zinc deficient, eating many oysters does not mean testosterone levels will skyrocket or erectile dysfunction will simply disappear.
"If men experience reduced libido or erectile dysfunction, the necessary step is to find the underlying cause, not just increase the number of oysters on the dinner table", the doctor stated.
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Doctor Duy consulting a patient. Photo: Lam Anh |
Doctor Duy consulting a patient. Photo: Lam Anh
Doctor Duy emphasized that male performance depends on more factors than a single food item. Sleep, activity levels, weight, cardiovascular health, endocrine balance, and psychological well-being all play crucial roles. Consuming oysters regularly while sleeping 4-5 hours each night, experiencing increasing abdominal girth, drinking excessive alcohol, and enduring prolonged stress makes it difficult for performance to improve.
The expert recommends that when men experience reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, or prolonged infertility, they should seek a specialist examination for a comprehensive assessment, instead of placing hope in rumors about "miracle foods".
Le Phuong
