Young Cubans Warned About Unsupervised Use of Testosterone and Viagra

The unsupervised consumption of testosterone and Viagra is becoming increasingly common among young Cubans, who use these substances to boost muscle growth or enhance sexual performance, despite warnings from health experts about the associated risks.

Journalist María Isabel Perdigón addressed this issue in her article published in Periódico Guerrillero, titled "The Borrowed Strength." She describes how this trend has seeped into daily routines, spreading through word of mouth among those eager for quick results.

Perdigón notes that "more young men are resorting to testosterone without medical guidance to build muscle mass, while others use Viagra to feel more 'effective' with women." She warns that both substances "were not created for them, yet have become part of a silent, dangerous, and deeply revealing trend."

Her report illustrates how this practice spreads "in whispered conversations during gym sessions, among friends, and within the culture of 'not wanting to be left behind.'" Some do it "due to peer pressure, others because of insecurity," until usage becomes "an open secret."

A firsthand account comes from a young man who began using testosterone to speed up his physical progress. "Each week, he would look in the mirror, expecting magical changes. Yes, he saw them, but he also realized the body demands a high price for such abuse," writes Perdigón. The young man admitted, "I looked better, but felt worse," suffering from painful acne, insomnia, and mood swings.

Regarding Viagra, Perdigón warns that it has "become a kind of 'talisman' among young men who mistakenly believe sexual prowess defines their worth as men." Many, she notes, "take it like a blue candy, not realizing its effects on a delicate system like the cardiovascular one."

The report highlights that some even mix the pill "with alcohol" or use it "to ensure performance even when unnecessary." Side effects in many cases include "racing heart or dangerously high blood pressure that frightens them, but admitting fear seems worse than admitting use."

Health experts caution that "indiscriminate testosterone use may harm the heart, disrupt metabolism, damage the liver, reduce fertility, and cause unpredictable emotional changes." As for Viagra, they emphasize it "is not intended for healthy young individuals, much less as a toy or a proof of masculinity."

Perdigón points out the deeper social and emotional backdrop: "A sense of emptiness fueled by unrealistic models seen online and societal pressure from a distorted masculinity." In this setting, "the quieter the pain, the stronger the urge to compensate with substances."

For many, the gym has become "the only place where they feel in control, where they can, even temporarily, become the version they want to be." However, when natural progress doesn't meet their anxious pace, "the temptation arises to push the body beyond reasonable limits."

Perdigón concludes her piece with a call for reflection: "True strength doesn't come from a syringe or a blue pill. Real power isn't hidden in a pocket." She suggests the solution is not about prohibiting or scolding, but rather "accompanying, listening, and explaining. Helping them understand that the gym is a place for transformation—not destruction."

This warning echoes recent incidents. In April 2024, a Cuban was fined at Madrid airport for carrying 234 Viagra pills without a prescription. A Civil Guard officer noted, "It's a recurring issue with travelers from Cuba," while the passenger claimed he used them for "medical reasons."