A 23-year-old man from Zhengzhou in China’s Henan province found himself in emergency surgery after inserting a live leech into his body, believing it would deliver supposed health benefits.
According to local reports, the man — identified only as Zheng — bought the leech online after reading about a folk remedy circulating on the internet. The treatment claimed inserting a leech would bring a “special effect,” though no medical evidence supports the idea.
After purchasing one measuring around 5 centimetres, Zheng inserted it through his urethra. Instead of the health boost he expected, he immediately suffered intense pain and struggled to urinate.
Doctors later discovered that the leech had travelled through the urinary tract and made its way into the bladder. Once inside, it attached to the bladder wall and released anticoagulant substances, worsening the bleeding and discomfort.
Unable to cope with the pain, Zheng went to a local hospital where medical staff were stunned by what they found during examination. Ultrasound scans confirmed the live leech lodged in his bladder.
A team led by a urology specialist performed a minimally invasive transurethral procedure to remove the leech. The extraction was successful, and Zheng’s pain eased almost instantly. He was later able to urinate normally again.
Medical staff involved in the case stressed the dangers of following unverified online remedies, especially ones involving live creatures or invasive self-treatment.
Doctors warned that attempting similar procedures can lead to infections, permanent injury, or even become life-threatening if not treated quickly.
