Sylvester Stallone defends the use of growth hormones

SYLVESTER Stallone has spoken out in defence of human growth hormone, saying it has increased his quality of life, and everyone over 40 should use it.

Sylvester Stallone says prescription testosterone "increases your quality of life".

The 61-year-old action star - who was convicted in May 2007 for importing human growth hormone product Jintropin into Australia - insists the substance is "not a steroid", and claims "everyone over 40" should try it.

He told Time magazine: "Human growth hormone helped me to get up to 209lbs for the new
Rambo movie, which is 40lbs heavier than I was for the last one 20 years ago.

"Human growth hormone is nothing. Anyone who calls it a steroid is grossly misinformed. Testosterone to me is important for a sense of well-being when you get older. Everyone over 40 years old would be wise to investigate it because it increases your quality of life.

"Mark my words, in 10 years it will be available over the counter."

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Is Penis Enlargement A Scam?

Mayo Clinic: Learn about the options to enlarge your penis

Many men think they have a small penis, and increasing the size of their penis will make them a better lover or make them more attractive. But chances are your penis is within the normal size range — and even if it is smaller than average, it may not matter as much as you thought. Consider other options before you resort to time-consuming, expensive or dangerous techniques that will be minimally effective at best. The most effective solution may be as easy as open communication with your partner, talking with a professional counselor or enhancing yourself in other ways.

Be wary of these common and ineffective penis enlargement techniques, some of which can result in serious damage:

* Manual squeezing exercises (jelqing). These exercises, which use a hand-over-hand motion to push blood from the base to the head of a semierect penis, are supposed to be performed on a regular basis. Although this technique may be safer than other methods, it can lead to scar formation, pain and disfigurement. There are no scientific studies that indicate this technique is effective at increasing penis size.

* Stretching with weights. This technique, which involves wearing weights on the flaccid penis, may cause permanent penile damage. There's no scientific evidence that this technique increases penis size.

* Vacuum pumps. Because pumps draw blood into the penis and make it swell, they're useful in the treatment of impotence (erectile dysfunction). This may create an illusion of a larger penis, but results are seldom permanent. Repeated use can damage elastic tissue in the penis, leading to less-firm erections.

* Pills and lotions. These usually contain vitamins, minerals, herbs or hormones such as testosterone that claim to enlarge the penis. None of these products has been shown to be effective.

FDA Warns Against Using Chinese Herbal Formula

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to buy or use Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X, Lady Shangai, and Shangai Regular, also marketed as Shangai Chaojimengnan, products.

These products, which originate in China, are being marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and for sexual enhancement. Although labeled as dietary supplements, these products do not qualify as dietary supplements because they contain undeclared active ingredients of FDA-approved prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction. The products are thus drugs that are illegal because they lack FDA approval.

The undeclared ingredients in these products may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. ED is a common problem in men with these medical conditions. Because they may have been advised against taking ED drugs, they may seek out products like these because they are marketed as "all natural" or as not containing the active ingredients in approved, prescribed ED drugs. Additionally, because the manufacturing source of the active ingredients in these products is unknown, consumers should be aware that the safety, efficacy, and purity of these ingredients can not be validated.

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