Nation Online

Are body boosters worth the craze?

There were times when people resorted to popular herbs such as mvunguti, nsatsi, nkhondo kubedi, tseketseke and sambisambi. It is believed these played the magic in boosting growth of sexual organs or improving libido.

Others, especially women, used crude and traditional methods to improve their appearance.

But with the introduction of non-natural products on the market to achieve the same, clients are now spoilt for choice.

Most shops and some pharmacies stock these products that come in different shapes and sizes.

The popular names as advertised in newspapers, include manhood enlargers, man-power in bed, breast firming and enlargers and body boosters.

Unfortunately, little is known about their efficacy and safety on users apart from the bold statement made in the advertisements.

Stories have been told of women who bought hip boosters, but ended with disproportionate hips.

A dealer in Lilongwe, who identified herself as Linda, defended the products.

Linda said she has been selling the drugs for five years, but she has not received any complaint about her products from customers.

“It is true that there have been negative stories about non-natural body boosters. But from my experience, I have never met a victim of this. What I can say is that every drug has its prescription and if followed properly, there are no side effects. Those who suffered these [side effects] might have not followed prescription,” she said.

Linda said most people who create stories about the products do not know the truth.

“Non-natural products are performing wonders. The only challenge is that the market is private. You know, I cannot be happy to know that someone knows that my breasts are firm because of some products,” she said.

She said most of her customers are girls who ply their trade in bars and bottle stores as well as young men between the ages of 16 and 25.

One of Linda’s customers, who opted for anonymity, said she was convinced by a friend to try the products.

She claimed that at 18, her breasts were too big and flaccid; hence, she wanted them to be firm.

“This is not my first time to use these products. When I had a certain problem and I used them, but they did not produce results such that I was hesitant to get another dose this time.

“However, I have seen some changes and I am expecting to see a complete change by next week. I took the products on condition that I would pay the fee in two instalments. I paid the deposit when I was getting the first dose and I will pay the balance when the period set has expired and results are positive,” said the customer. 

Linda dismissed suggestions that the drugs induce an addiction on users as they have to keep on taking them to achieve results.

“This is not true, most of our drugs produce results within three weeks and there is no need to take them again in future. I sell hip boosters, manhood enlargers, delay ejaculation and breast firming cream and these are taken within 21 days.

“The only challenge I face with my customers is that some bodies take long to respond to the drugs,” she said.

Psychologist Chiwoza Bandawe said most people rush for the products because they want to be sexually attractive.

“Most people put their identity on sexual satisfaction. They want to be sexually attractive and so, they go for anything that can enhance their sexual satisfaction. These products are known for that,” he said.

On the effectiveness of the drugs, Bandawe said human psychology plays a part in contributing to the success of any drug.

“They [products] might be effective or not and this can be judged by my colleagues who did research in such drugs. But what I know is that human psychology plays a major part in the success of any drug taken.

“This is called placebo effect. What happens with this is that even when a person is given a tumbler of water and told that it is a pain killer, if he/she believes that she would be fine, the person ends up getting healed and this happens with such products. The way we think and believe in the drug taken contributes to body’s cells response,” he said.