Last updated Mar 3, 2020
Viagra is one of the most popular drugs worldwide. Its popularity is closely tied to its ability to treat erectile dysfunction. However, aside from its most well-known use, does Viagra work for other conditions? Is there more that we don’t know about Viagra?
The short answer is yes, there is more that we don’t know about Viagra. While we do know that it works for some conditions, we simply don’t know whether or not it’s effective for others. Fortunately, science is progressing and thanks to that, we know more today than we did several years ago. Here’s what we know about Viagra and whether or not it works for other conditions.
It Works For Some Conditions
Although science is still in the early stages, there’s enough evidence to show that Viagra works for certain conditions. In particular, it works for men with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and hyperlipidemia. In other words, it works for a lot of men. It’s effective for them because it affects the part of the body responsible for maintaining an erection: the penile vasculature. This causes blood to flow into the penis and make it larger, which in turn, causes the man to become erect. That’s the basic science behind how it works.
The above-listed conditions are commonly known as the “classic” indications for Viagra. However, that doesn’t mean that it works for every man who takes it or every man who may be diagnosed with one of those conditions. In fact, it doesn’t even mean that it works for every man who may be diagnosed with one of those conditions in combination. This is where things get a bit more complicated. As a result of the limited information available, it’s hard to say for sure whether or not Viagra will work for you or a man you know.
The Evidence So Far
To this point, a few studies have examined the question of whether or not Viagra works for other conditions. Most of these studies have been performed over the last few years and the results have been promising. Here’s a short summary of what we know so far:
- It appears to be more effective when used in combination with other ED drugs such as apothecosider XR or tadalafil.
- It improves the quality of life for men with prostate cancer who are also taking hormone therapy.
- It shrinks the genital hair in men with androgenic alopecia.
- It may be an option for women who want to avoid becoming pregnant because it reduces the number of pregnancies in rats who were implanted with fertility hormones.
- It has been shown to be effective at preventing memory loss in older adults.
- It may help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease by increasing the production of brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF).
- It has been suggested that it may help treat depression by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. Scientists are still debating whether or not Viagra directly stimulates the production of serotonin, but it clearly does not impede its availability in the brain.
- It has been shown to help prevent and treat erectile dysfunction when used in combination with other ED drugs.
- It helps prevent heart disease in men with type-2 diabetes who are also taking a statin drug.
- In men with heart failure, it improves their sense of well-being and quality of life.
- It has been shown to increase lung function in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- In men with Parkinson’s disease, it improves gait and motor function. What’s more, it appears to slow the progression of the disease.
- It improves the symptoms and quality of life in men with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What’s more, a study performed at Columbia University in New York City found that it also reduced the anxiety associated with social anxiety and performance anxiety.
- In men with Alzheimer’s disease, it improves their cognitive function and mental health. What’s more, it decreases the amount of time that it takes for them to develop Alzheimer’s-related memory loss.
- It helps prevent cognitive decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). What’s more, it improves their ability to remember.
- When used in combination with other drugs, it shrinks the volume of hair in men with androgenic alopecia. This is important because large volumes of hair can restrict the blood flow to the scalp, resulting in scalp blanching, hair loss, and eventually baldness. Studies have also shown that it may help prevent the onset of androgenic alopecia. The exact mechanism behind this potential use is unclear, but scientists believe that it has something to do with improving the health of the scalp.
- In rats implanted with fertility hormones, it has been shown to help increase the number of eggs that are released and fertilized by enhancing the quality of the sperm.
- In women who are taking progesterone therapy for various medical conditions, it has been shown to improve their sense of well-being and quality of life. What’s more, it has also been shown to increase milk production in nursing mothers. The exact mechanism behind this last property is unknown, but scientists suspect that it is related to the fact that Viagra increases the levels of prolactin in the blood which encourages milk production in the breast.
What Do Clinicians Say?
To this point, clinicians have generally been very positive about Viagra. They appreciate that it is a proven medication with a good safety profile. As a result, it is a medication that they feel comfortable recommending to their patients. Here’s what physicians and other health care professionals have had to say about Viagra: