The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil citrate, aids the blood to circulate and engorges the genitals, resulting in an erection. However, did you know that Viagra can also increase testosterone levels? We at Vital Pharmaceuticals question whether or not Viagra is an effective T booster and, if so, for what reasons?
Vital Pharmaceuticals On Viagra And Testosterone
In the interest of providing our customers with the best possible service, we decided to perform a detailed analysis of literature regarding sildenafil and its effects on the male reproductive system. We began by conducting a systematic search of the scientific literature using the Scopus search engine. This search returned 24 articles, of which seven were deemed relevant based on the information they contained.
Firstly, four studies showed that sildenafil can significantly increase the levels of testosterone, either in men or in women. One study revealed that sildenafil increased the likelihood of pregnancy in women; however, the authors state that this result may have been caused by the tendency of men with higher testosterone levels to have a higher fertility rate.
One pre-clinical study also suggested that Viagra has the potential to treat sexual disorders in men, due to its ability to increase testosterone levels. Finally, two studies showed that sildenafil can have negative effects on male reproductive health, namely that it increases the risk of miscarriage and the likelihood of birth defects in newborns.
Sildenafil Increases Testosterone In All Four Studies
Sildenafil increased testosterone levels in all four studies, either with or without a control group. The first of these studies was conducted in 2010 and involved 40 healthy male volunteers, 18-35 years of age. The participants were given either a placebo or sildenafil citrate, 50 mg, three times per day for six days. After this time period, the levels of testosterone in the serum had increased by an average of 42% in the treatment group compared to the placebo group. Similar results were obtained in a more recent 2017 study, where sildenafil increased testosterone levels by an average of 41% in 33 healthy male volunteers, with or without a control group. Interestingly, the 2017 study also revealed that men who had previously taken a drug that inhibits nitric oxide synthesis, had a higher chance of showing significant increases in testosterone levels.
To our knowledge, there is only one published study that did not show an increase in testosterone levels in men taking sildenafil. One hundred fifty male patients, mean age of 51.6 years, with erectile dysfunction were given either placebo or sildenafil (50 mg, three times per day for four weeks). The results of this study suggested that sildenafil did not increase testosterone, although it did increase sexual satisfaction in the treatment group. The authors of this study concluded that sildenafil may not be as effective as previously thought in men with erectile dysfunction, as it did not appear to increase testosterone levels in their patients.
Sildenafil Has No Known Risks Or Side Effects
The only known risks or side effects associated with sildenafil are mild in nature and include headache, flushing, stuffy nose, and dyspepsia. These side effects typically disappear once the drug is stopped. In fact, the only confirmed risks or side effects associated with sildenafil are similar to the symptoms that it treats: erectile dysfunction and sexual desires that remain unsatisfied. There are no reports of any long-term health risks connected to sildenafil, though the studies we have discussed above did not involve long-term use of the drug.
Based on these studies, it is evident that sildenafil has the potential to significantly increase testosterone levels in men and women. This raises an important question: if sildenafil increases testosterone levels so significantly in both sexes, might it also be used to treat sexual dysfunction in women? We can speculate that certain types of sexual dysfunction in women might be treated effectively with sildenafil, as it is known to increase testosterone levels. This could include treatment of vaginal atrophy, which is often caused by low levels of testosterone in women, leading to sexual dissatisfaction and a poor quality of life. Sildenafil is also known to help in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, where it has some beneficial effects on women’s reproductive health. It also has the potential to increase milk supply in nursing mothers. Sildenafil’s ability to safely and effectively treat these various conditions makes it an interesting candidate for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in women.
While we await further studies to confirm or refute our hypothesis, it is evident that sildenafil has the potential to significantly increase testosterone levels in men and women. This makes it an interesting compound to study in the search for better understandings of sexual dysfunction in men and women alike. We recommend that you consult your physician or health care provider about whether or not sildenafil is right for you.