Man's search for the secret of youth began ever since; the art of healing was practiced by the early doctor. Research to achieve eternal youth was conducted under different systems of medicine. Today, two branches of modern medical science, gerontology and andrology, contend with the problems of age and sex.
Youth appears early and stays for long in the lives of some people, while for others it comes late and fades early. Mental and intellectual capacity do not decline, except in debilitated conditions, until a very advanced age, but physical and sexual capacity wane with time, often before it.
Why do people age, some prematurely and others with the calendar? How is it that still others, the lucky ones, stay well preserved in spite of the years? Even though there is no single acceptable explanation, the physiology of maturity and youth throws some light on the factors of ageing. Genetic factors decide the sex of the newborn. Proper nourishment and the prevention of common diseases led to the normal growth of the child and signs of adolescence start appearing around the age of 14 in boys and a little earlier in girls. The development of secondary sexual characteristics indicates the onset of puberty. It is the result of sex hormone activity.
The sex hormones are at their maximum level between the ages of 14 and 20 and maintained at a relatively high level till the third decade of life. Thereafter there is a decline, which may be gradual or rapid. A deficiency of the hormones retards the physiological process of physical and sexual maturity.
The role of sex hormones in the onset of youth and its decline has been established by physiologists and their use in geronto-genitology is an accepted practice. Synthetic hormone preparations, which are commonly prescribed, have the disadvantage of turning glands lazy and they come to depend upon continued external supply for their normal functioning. Therefore, the search continues to find ways to stimulate the natural sex hormones of the body.
To help the body produce natural sex hormones, monkey gland and human ovary transplants were practiced in the early 20th century. Recently, human testicular transplants have been performed. In place of the whole gland transplant, specific cell implant from the embryonic organs is also practiced. This surgery is carried out to treat sub-virility, infertility, premature ageing and similar problems in both sexes.
Allopathic, ayurvedic, unani and other schools of medicine offer several remedies for preventing the process of ageing and for potentiating sexual capability.
Sushruta and Dhanwantari, the great teachers of ayurveda, advised kayakalp to restore vitality and vigor. They advised care at the onset of youth and during middle age (genitology, too, emphasizes care at these two stages in life). Kayakalp is carried out either while the patient continues to lead a normal life or while he is totally at rest. In the latter instance, the patient is kept in a closed room, away from light and sound, to lower his metabolism to the minimum. Even his diet consists of only liquids, which will not strain the system. Therapy is then started to revive the cells, tissues, organs and body systems. Markandeya Puran - one of the 18 Purans - and Atharva Veda deal with magic formulae for youth and rejuvenation. There are innumerable prescriptions for Kayakalp and only specially trained physicians can give this therapy.
More recently, procaine therapy to check the process of ageing was introduced at the Bucharest Institute of Gerontology. Procaine favorably affects the central nervous system, skin and other organs and helps preserve youthful vigor.
Surgery is also employed to rejuvenate underdeveloped, overdeveloped or shrunken parts of the body. Silicone implants to restore the youthful size and shape of breasts were in vogue at one time. Similarly, surgery is employed to reshape the size of the abdomen, hips, thighs and arms.
Silicone prosthesis is implanted by surgery to give volume and size to a shrunken penis. This is used for treating organic impotency, cosmetic surgery and andrology, are very popular and much in demand today.
Since the basic human needs and desires are the same for the affluent and others, vendors dispense a wide variety of animal and vegetable products at aphrodisiac. Fantastic claims are made for these "wonder" tonics, which are sold on the pavements of every city and town to cater to poorer people who seek youth and virility.
Some "wonder" therapists run their show in large establishments, behind big signboards and neon light, advertising "treatment" by electrical gadgets, rays, pills, powders and lotions. Their clientele is a grade higher than those who buy from footpaths.
Whatever one does, until the basic ageing factors are not effectively checked, no lasting benefit is possible. Being aware of this fact, research is being conducted to satisfy this eternal desire of mankind.