Improved Sexual Functioning of Long-Term Daily Users of Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.)

Abstract Kratom leaves from Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) trees are believed to have medicinal value, and have a long-history of folk medicine use for self-treatment of a broad range of indications. In Southeast Asia, traditional uses of kratom include as an aphrodisiac and a sexual performance enhancer. The study evaluated sexual functioning in a cohort of long-term male kratom users in the state of Penang, Malaysia. A field face-to-face survey, including the Malay version of the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI) called Mal-BMSFI was conducted between January and December of 2017. The mean (SD) age of the cohort (N = 92) was 37.0 (11.2) years, and the mean (SD) duration of kratom use was 9.14 (5.5) years. All participants reported consuming kratom decoction, with an average amount of 1,200 ml daily. Seventy-two participants (78%) reported using kratom to enhance sexual performance, and 71 of them (71/72, 99%) reported experiencing improved sexual performance. Of those who reported not using kratom to enhance sexual performance, 7/20 (35%) also experienced improved sexual performance after kratom use. The reported enhancements of sexual performance included: more energy during sex (75/92), delayed ejaculation (71/92), help to maintain erection (70/92), longer climax (51/92), increased sexual desire (44/92), and reduced sex organ sensitivity (43/92). The mean (SD) Mal-BMSFI score was 33.9 (7.1) and 78/92 (85%) reported overall high satisfaction with their sex life in the past 30 days. In conclusion long-term daily, male users of kratom decoction in Malaysia reported improved sexual functioning attributed to their kratom consumption.