Ejaculatio praecox (Treatment with an indigenous drug) - Himalaya

(The Indi<strong>an</strong> Practitioner (1968): November, 853)<br />

<strong>Ejaculatio</strong> Praecox<br />

(<strong>Treatment</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>an</strong> Indigenous Drug)<br />

Bedi, B.M.S., M.D.,<br />

Reader in Dermatology & Venereology, <strong>an</strong>d Head of the Department of Venereology,<br />

Maul<strong>an</strong>a Azad Medical College <strong>an</strong>d Associated Irwin & G.B. P<strong>an</strong>t Hospitals, New Delhi, India,<br />

At present Reader in Dermatology <strong>an</strong>d Venereology, H.P. Medical College, Simla, H.P., India.<br />

INTRODUCTION<br />

Sex has a great influence on the working of the mind as well as the body. No wonder the problems<br />

pertaining to sex may result in great damage to the normal functioning of the individual as a whole.<br />

<strong>Ejaculatio</strong>n <strong>praecox</strong> or premature ejaculation is one such malady which not only produces great<br />

dissatisfaction in sexual relationship but may also result in great frustration to both the partners.<br />

Having cut a sorry figure, the male feels a great sense of shame <strong>an</strong>d the female who was sexually<br />

aroused <strong>an</strong>d failed to get satisfying sexual gratification (orgasm), usually develops a sense of<br />

revulsion, repulsion <strong>an</strong>d hatred, as a consequence. The male having failed in his perform<strong>an</strong>ce<br />

suffers unbearable mental agony <strong>an</strong>d a peculiar sex inferiority complex. He feels unable to face his<br />

wife. This directly tells upon marital happiness. There are possibilities that the male may become a<br />

complete psychic wreck after repetitions of such disappointing perform<strong>an</strong>ces, <strong>an</strong>d the frustrated<br />

female becomes extremely irritable <strong>an</strong>d difficult to live <strong>with</strong>.<br />

There are a number of possible causes for premature ejaculation, but the single most import<strong>an</strong>t<br />

cause is the congestion in the region of the prostate. M<strong>an</strong>y environmental causes contribute to this.<br />

In modern society a m<strong>an</strong> is sexually aroused by seeing stimulating sexy pictures <strong>an</strong>d hoardings, by<br />

reading provocative literature <strong>an</strong>d seeing around him seductively <strong>an</strong>d sometimes sc<strong>an</strong>tily clad<br />

females. To this may be added the factor of hot spicy diet, alcoholic beverages, aphrodisiac <strong>drug</strong>s, a<br />

loaded rectum <strong>an</strong>d/or other pathological conditions of the rectum <strong>an</strong>d prostate. Because of the<br />

congestion in this region of the prostate there is profuse secretions from the gl<strong>an</strong>ds <strong>with</strong> the result<br />

that the seminal vesicles are fully engorged <strong>with</strong> secretions. In this condition <strong>an</strong>y slight stimulation<br />

in the form of fondling, sex-play, amorous embracing, touching the genitalia or attempt at<br />

penetration further aggravates the engorgement which triggers off a forceful contraction of the<br />

seminal vesicles resulting in premature ejaculation of semen.<br />

Such patients usually have recourse to quacks for treatment because they put up cheap<br />

advertisements guar<strong>an</strong>teeing sexual potency. Since the above mech<strong>an</strong>ism is not known to them<br />

these quacks prescribe aphrodisiacs which add to congestion <strong>an</strong>d worsen the condition <strong>an</strong>d the<br />

patient goes from bad to worse.<br />

While it is easy to give general instructions like recommending a bl<strong>an</strong>d non-spicy diet, avoiding<br />

alcoholic beverages, treating of constipation, cold sitz-baths, etc., it is necessary to adopt a rational<br />

scientific approach to reduce the congestion in this region.<br />

Out attention was drawn to the report by Jussawalla (1956) regarding the decongestive effect<br />

produced on the prostrate by <strong>an</strong> <strong>indigenous</strong> <strong>drug</strong> called ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ (<strong>Himalaya</strong> Drug Co.). Gour &<br />

Gupta (1959) used it in the treatment of male sexual disorders <strong>an</strong>d reported improvement in 16 out<br />

of 18 patients of premature ejaculation. R<strong>an</strong>ade & Raje (1958) reported marked improvement in

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cases of spermatorrhoea <strong>an</strong>d nocturnal emissions. P<strong>an</strong>tulu (1966) demonstrated the usefulness of<br />

‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ in treating 10 cases of premature ejaculation. Heilig (1968) suggests that ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ seems<br />

to act as a brake on the spinal regulators of ejaculation <strong>an</strong>d thereby it slows down seminal<br />

discharge.<br />

With these useful reports <strong>an</strong>d scientific background, it was decided to have a trial of ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ in<br />

the treatment of ejaculatio <strong>praecox</strong>.<br />

Composition: ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ is a herbal preparation m<strong>an</strong>ufactured by The <strong>Himalaya</strong> Drug Co., <strong>an</strong>d has<br />

the following composition:<br />

Orchis mascula (Salap misri)<br />

per tablet<br />

64.8 mg.<br />

Lactuca scariola (Kahu) 16.2 mg.<br />

Hygrophila spinosa (Talmakh<strong>an</strong>a) 32.4 mg.<br />

Mucuna pruriens (Kavach) 16.2 mg.<br />

Exts. Parmelia parlata (Chharila) 16.2 mg.<br />

Argyreia speciosa (Vridhadharaka) 32.4 mg.<br />

Tribulus terrestris (Gokhru) 32.4 mg.<br />

Leptadenia reticulata (Jiv<strong>an</strong>ti) 32.4 mg.<br />

Suvarnav<strong>an</strong>g (Mosaic gold) 16.2 mg.<br />

The mode of action of various ingredients is as under:<br />

Orchis mascula : Highly nutritious, acts as tonic in loss of sexual power.<br />

Lactuca scariola : Anodyne, sedative <strong>an</strong>d demulcent.<br />

Hydrophila spinosa : Acts as tonic.<br />

Mucuna pruriens : Astringent <strong>an</strong>d nerve tonic.<br />

Parmelia parlata : Acts as tonic <strong>an</strong>d is efficacious in spermatorrhoea.<br />

Tribulus terrestris : Diuretic, sexual tonic.<br />

Leptadenia reticulata : A good restorative <strong>an</strong>d tonic; promotes spermatogenesis.<br />

Suvarnav<strong>an</strong>g : An invigorator <strong>an</strong>d rejuvenator.<br />

Pharmacology: The action of ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ was experimentally studied on the seminal vesicles of<br />

guinea-pigs (R<strong>an</strong>ade, 1956). ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ considerably enh<strong>an</strong>ced the contractions produced by a fixed<br />

dose of adrenaline, thereby proving that ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ produces more complete <strong>an</strong>d powerful<br />

contractions of the seminal vesicles.<br />

MATERIAL AND METHODS<br />

A series of 62 patients suffering from ejaculatio <strong>praecox</strong> were taken up for study. Out of these 7<br />

patients could not be followed-up since they were not regular <strong>with</strong> treatment.<br />

The age group of various patients was as under:<br />

Age group No. of patients<br />

25–30 20<br />

30-35 20<br />

35-40 10<br />

40-45 5<br />

This table shows that the majority of patients belonged to the age groups of 25-40 — the sexually<br />

active period.

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All these patients were thoroughly interrogated regarding their trouble, their personal history <strong>an</strong>d<br />

past sexual perform<strong>an</strong>ce. The onset of the trouble in most cases dated back to 2 months to 16<br />

months. Patients <strong>with</strong> <strong>an</strong> occasional complaint or a solitary episode were not included in this study.<br />

Each <strong>an</strong>d every patient was thoroughly examine for the presence of secondary sex characters <strong>an</strong>d<br />

for the absence of <strong>an</strong>y org<strong>an</strong>ic abnormality. Per rectum examination to exclude piles, fissures <strong>an</strong>d<br />

enlarged prostate was done in every case.<br />

The following general instructions were given to the patients:<br />

1. To take a bl<strong>an</strong>d diet preferably bulky vegetables <strong>with</strong> lot of roughage.<br />

2. To avoid alcoholic beverages.<br />

3. To avoid constipation <strong>an</strong>d if present, the same was treated by laxatives.<br />

4. To avoid stimulating sexy literature.<br />

5. Sexual abstinence for a period of 4–6 weeks.<br />

Dosage schedule: Each patient was put on ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ 2 tablets three times a day.<br />

Period of study: The study on each patient lasted for a period of 4-6 months.<br />

RESULTS<br />

Out of the 55 patients thus studied, the results were assessed as under:<br />

Good : Increase in retention power <strong>an</strong>d a completely satisfactory perform<strong>an</strong>ce of the sexual act.<br />

Fair : Increase in retention power but sexual act, though much improved, not fully satisfactory.<br />

Poor : No or little ch<strong>an</strong>ge.<br />

The results are tabulated below:<br />

Out of a total of 55 patients<br />

Response No. of patients Percentage<br />

Good<br />

(complete relief from symptom)<br />

33 60<br />

Fair 7 12.7<br />

Poor 15 27.3<br />

About 50% of the patients improved <strong>with</strong>in two months, the rest took 4-6 months.<br />

This study shows that a majority of the patients, 60% were completely cured while 12.7% showed<br />

fair improvement.<br />

In the patients (27.3%) who showed poor response there were some other psychological factors like<br />

job-insecurity, poverty, worry, which were hindering the progress.<br />

It is suggested that a trial of ‘Spem<strong>an</strong> Forte’ which, in addition, contains Rauwolfia serpentina<br />

(‘Serpina’) may prove more useful in this group which also has psychological problems.<br />

Side effects: No untoward side effects were observed during the period of this trial which lasted for<br />

4-6 months.<br />

DISCUSSION<br />

From the above study it is obvious that ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ has been found to be very efficacious <strong>an</strong>d useful<br />

in the treatment of ejaculatio <strong>praecox</strong>, a most distressing sexual malady that leaves the sufferer<br />

prostrate <strong>with</strong> misery.

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Sixty per cent of the patients were completely cured while 12.7% showed fair response.<br />

‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ by its action on the seminal vesicles causes forceful contraction of seminal vesicles <strong>an</strong>d<br />

results in complete evacuation thereby acting as a potent decongest<strong>an</strong>t. The thorough emptying of<br />

the seminal vesicles helps to increase retentive power thereby contributing to a harmonious,<br />

satisfying sexual act.<br />

Moreover, since the burning micturition syndrome is also being attributed to congestion in the<br />

prostate <strong>an</strong>d bladder, it is being contemplated to try ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ in the treatment of the burning<br />

micturition syndrome.<br />

SUMMARY<br />

A study on 55 patients of ejaculatio <strong>praecox</strong> <strong>with</strong> ‘Spem<strong>an</strong>’ for a period of 4-6 months showed<br />

complete cure in 60% of patients <strong>an</strong>d fair response in 12.7%. This <strong>drug</strong> has been thus found to be<br />

very useful in the treatment of premature ejaculation.<br />

REFERENCES<br />

1. Gour, K.N. <strong>an</strong>d Gupta, Sudhir (1959): Curr. Med. Pract., 3: 135.<br />

2. Heilig, Robert (1968): Probe, 7: 49.<br />

3. Jussawalla, D.J. (1956): Jour. Ind. Med. Prof., 10: 964.<br />

4. P<strong>an</strong>tulu, P.K. (1962): Probe, 2: 60.<br />

5. R<strong>an</strong>ade, S.N. <strong>an</strong>d Raje, G.K. (1958): The Antiseptic, 2: 111.<br />

6. R<strong>an</strong>ade, S.N. (1956): Ind. J. of Pharm., 7: 310.