Viagra can help men rise to the occasion, and so much more.
For decades, there seemed to be one straightforward benefit of taking erection pills — an easy way for men to get it up and get it on.
But new research has shown the infamous little blue pill and similar medications may have major health benefits beyond the bedroom.
Between 30 and 50 million men in the US deal with erectile dysfunction, with the number rising with age, as nearly half of men over the age of 40 have issues.
And a study published last week in the World Journal of Men’s Health found that popping a pill could help more than erections — it could also provide help with heart disease, stroke risk and diabetes, as well as enlarged prostate and urinary problems.
Viagra and other common erectile dysfunction medications are known as PDE5 inhibitors, meaning they block an enzyme that restricts blood flow by tightening muscles and narrowing blood vessels.
These medications relax the blood vessels, which increases blood flow throughout the body, including to the penis.
Researchers saw a link between medication use and better heart health, noting that the blood flow and relaxed muscles could play a role in cardiovascular benefits.
The improved circulation and vascular function could also reduce the risk of strokes.
Erectile dysfunction can also occur more often in men with diabetes, with the study finding positive benefits of PED5 drug use for both conditions.
Those with an enlarged prostate could also benefit from taking erection pills, as the researchers found improvements in urinary symptoms, which is a common issue, most likely due to muscle relaxation in the bladder and prostate.
These medications are often recommended for those with prostate cancer, as the illness can cause erectile issues.
But while millions of men deal with erectile dysfunction, only around 24 percent have reported taking medication.
“Sadly, too many men are missing out on simple treatments that could set them on the right track to getting their sex life back and, the evidence shows, could improve many other serious, life-limiting conditions they may face,” Sophie Smith, a senior specialist nurse with Prostate Cancer UK, told The Telegraph.
Previous research has also found that taking erectile dysfunction medications could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Being flaccid is often caused by blood flow issues stemming from hardened arteries, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.
Nerve damage, whether from neurological disorders or metabolic conditions like diabetes, can also interrupt necessary nerve signals.
“A normal erection requires coordination between the brain, hormones, nerves, blood vessels and smooth muscle. Any disruption in that pathway can cause erectile dysfunction,” Dr. Justin Houman, of Tower Urology at Cedars-Sinai, previously told The Post.
