This product was considered an aphrodisiac thought to drive women wild, and in reality, it probably did, but with harmful side effects rather than sexual desire.
Board Certified Urologist, expert in male sexual dysfunction
If you grew up in an era where porn came from magazines primarily, you've likely heard of Spanish fly.
It was marketed as a powerful aphrodisiac, able to significantly increase libido levels of any man or woman instantly, but in reality it’s nothing more than snake oil.
Quick FAQs
Neither the old formula of Spanish fly with blister beetle extract nor the modern formula with who knows what in them have been proven to offer any sexual benefits or aphrodisiac qualities.
The old formula that used cantharidin, an extract of the blister beetle could in fact kill you. While the modern formulas are not likely to kill you, they also won’t provide you with the benefits you’re looking for either.
There are several high-quality supplements and sexual aid products sold by reputable companies that do offer genuine benefits, like VitaFLUX from Promescent.
What is Spanish Fly?
The term itself "Spanish fly" is even nonsensical because it's neither Spanish nor is it derived from flies.
The original Spanish fly product was an extract from cantharidin, which comes from blister beetles.
Like its namesake, cantharidin causes blisters and has a profound effect on the body when consumed, and not in a good or sexy way.
Let's take a look at this aphrodisiac and its current state of affairs in modern sexual health.
What is Spanish fly used for?
Vaguely, Spanish fly pills are supposed to be an aphrodisiac.
For men, it supposedly causes:
stronger erections
non-stop libido
increased sex drive
Improved stamina
If you're wondering what does Spanish fly do to a woman, the answer is even less clear.
It's supposed to make them extremely aroused, but it's unclear how exactly.
The fact is that real Spanish fly doesn't do much but harm your body.
Does Spanish fly work?
Spanish fly, in its current form, isn't really useful for anything.
Even if the one you obtain versions that also contain beneficial vitamins or nutrients in it, you're still far better off buying a real sexual health supplement from a reputable company like Promescent.
Anything calling itself "Spanish fly" is snake oil at best.
Priapism, which is a painful erection you cannot get rid of
Vomiting or peeing blood
Seizures
Stomach pain
Intestinal bleeding
General inflammation
Throat swelling
Difficulty breathing
Can Spanish fly kill you?
The original version of Spanish fly definitely can kill you and can cause permanent damage even if you survive.
Cantharidin might have some medicinal properties (it's being researched as a cancer drug, for instance), but it's not an aphrodisiac.
Can you Still buy Spanish fly?
You can still head to your local adult bookstore and buy it in many cases.
You can order it online as well, but if you're buying it now, it's almost certainly just an "aphrodisiac" herbal supplement.
It might have some benefits, even just as a placebo - but there are far better options out there nowadays.
What's in Spanish fly?
Well, it varies - some currently available options included:
L-arginine (which is actually useful for nitric oxide production)
Water
Fructose
Various herbs
Melatonin (which helps with sleep, so that's an odd choice)
The name "Spanish fly" appears to have become a generalized name for some libido supplements targeting older demographics.
Are there alternatives to Spanish fly?
There are plenty of useful, scientifically proven, and tested alternatives to Spanish fly for men.
When looking for an alternative to Spanish fly, you want to address your specific sexual health difficulties.
If you're having trouble with premature ejaculation, there are specific tools for that.
If you're having trouble achieving or maintaining an erection, you want something else.
The nice thing about scientifically-backed products is that you know what they're treating, how it works, and that it works.
OTC Premature Ejaculation treatments
Premature ejaculation is embarrassing and can really put a damper on your sex life, but it doesn’t have to be. Fortunately, it is one of the most treatable forms of sexual dysfunction.
Sprays
Premature ejaculation sprays work by using lidocaine or benzocaine to gently desensitize the nerves of the penis.
Most men who use these sprays report an increase in their performance time, often going from a few seconds to 5 minutes.
Promescent delay spray comes in a convenient, small bottle for travel and easy access, and it works like a charm, helping you stay in the game longer.
Wipes
Delay wipes work almost identically to delay sprays, but many use benzocaine instead.
The results are similar, but these are a good alternative if you're allergic to lidocaine.
Some people also prefer the wipes because they are great when you’re on the go.
Simply apply, wait ten minutes, and then proceed as normal.
Exercises and techniques
The following techniques are daily habits you can engage in that can help make sex feel better, help you get better erections, and last longer.
For many men, ED is due to poor circulatory health, and general lifestyle improvements can help immensely. Exercise is one such improvement.
Kegels
By squeezing the pelvic floor muscles responsible for cutting off your pee mid-stream, you can strengthen your erections and your orgasms.
Aim for ten squeezes, holding for 10 seconds each per day. Stronger pelvic floor muscles will also help you stop yourself from orgasming if need be.
Edging
Masturbating or having sex to the point of orgasm and then stopping is called "edging," and it helps you control your orgasm better.
It also helps you last longer and makes orgasms extremely powerful when you finally climax.
Squeeze Method
The squeeze method is a process of stopping orgasm by squeezing your penis. Though this isn't generally recommended, it is a way to prevent premature ejaculation.
Lifestyle Changes
Healthy lifestyle changes can help make every aspect of your life better, including sex.
Smoking
Stop smoking. It's not good for you in any capacity. It costs too much money, smells bad, ruins your teeth, and more.
Additionally, it hurts your heart and your blood vessels and contributes to atherosclerosis which causes ED.
Drinking
Long-term alcohol abuse makes ED worse, but acute intense intoxication can also inhibit the ability to gain an erection temporarily.
Dial back the drinking, and you should see some improvements in your sex life.
Diet
Processed foods, simple carbs, and sugar all contribute to weight gain, systemic inflammation, and poor health.
Eat healthy, whole foods and cook at home, and you'll see an improvement in your waistline, mood, and sex life.
Premature Ejaculation Medication
There are some medications that help with premature ejaculation, but like with any medication, they come with risks and side effects you need to be aware of before taking them.
Dr. Jed Kaminetsky M.D. is an American Board Certified Urologist and earned his Medical Degree at New York University. In his tenure he became a member of the American Urological Association and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kaminetsky pioneered the minimally invasive Rezum BPH treatment and is an expert in male and female dysfunction.
Sources:
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can find out more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Karras, D. J., Farrell, S. E., Harrigan, R. A., Henretig, F. M., & Gealt, L. (1996). Poisoning from "Spanish fly" (cantharidin). The American journal of emergency medicine, 14(5), 478–483. Accessed June 7, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-6757(96)90158-8
Rauh, R., Kahl, S., Boechzelt, H., Bauer, R., Kaina, B., & Efferth, T. (2007). Molecular biology of cantharidin in cancer cells. Chinese medicine, 2, 8. Accessed June 7, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1186/1749-8546-2-8
Lamina, S., Agbanusi, E., & Nwacha, R. C. (2011). Effects of aerobic exercise in the management of erectile dysfunction: a meta analysis study on randomized controlled trials. Ethiopian journal of health sciences, 21(3), 195–201. Accessed June 7, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3275865/
Arafa, M., & Shamloul, R. (2007). A randomized study examining the effect of 3 SSRI on premature ejaculation using a validated questionnaire. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 3(4), 527–531. Accessed June 7, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2374931/
Martyn-St James, M., Cooper, K., Ren, S., Kaltenthaler, E., Dickinson, K., Cantrell, A., Wylie, K., Frodsham, L., & Hood, C. (2017). Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors for Premature Ejaculation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. European urology focus, 3(1), 119–129. Accessed June 7, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2016.02.001
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
