Viagra was not originally intended to be an ED medication.
When sildenafil was originally being developed and tested by Pfizer in the late 1980s, the intention was to create an angina medication.
Whilst clinical trials did not show it having much use for angina treatment, the effects on erections were strong enough to suggest it as the primary treatment for ED we know today, and many men buy sildenafil online because they trust its effects.
However, whilst treating heart issues with sildenafil is a well-known alternative use for sildenafil to the point that Revatio would be released explicitly as a treatment for hypertension, it is not the only alternative use.
Over the years, studies have been undertaken on the potential for PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra and Cialis to treat a wide range of conditions. Here are some of the more unique uses for ED medication.
- Helping Blood Flow At High Altitude
A Pulmonary oedema is when fluid accumulates in your lungs and is often caused by climbing at a high altitude. It can happen to mountain climbers and can be utterly life-threatening.
However, studies have suggested, and other anecdotal evidence has been attained that sildenafil could potentially help relieve oedema symptoms, though more high-quality evidence is required before taking the blue pill on the mountainside.
Probably the most famous example of this being attempted was on the Bolivia Special of the motoring show Top Gear in 2009. Whilst the three presenters were attempting to scale the Guallatiri in three old 4×4 cars, they each take viagra to help reduce the risk of oedema.
We do not see whether it would have worked as at an unknown point afterwards, the team decide to abandon their climb and take a much lower route after their blood oxygen levels reach 84 per cent, which according to NHS advice should be admitted into a hospital.
- Helping Fight Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Raynaud’s syndrome is a disorder where issues with small arteries can cut off the blood flow to certain extremities such as fingers, toes, nose, ears or lips.
These symptoms, whilst lasting between minutes and hours, can be very painful and concerning, as fingers will turn white and in some cases blue as blood flow is constricted.
Studies have suggested that PDE5 inhibitors can help to reduce the symptoms of Raynaud’s Phenomenon, possibly by relaxing the walls of the blood vessels and allowing blood to flow through the body easier.
Whilst more evidence is required to see the extent of this effect, they have been used off-label to treat the symptoms of Reynauld’s syndrome and have shown to have a positive effect.
- Improving Memory
Whilst larger scale clinical trials need to be undertaken to see the wide effect of this, studies on mice suggest that sildenafil, along with other PDE5 inhibitors can help boost learning and memory skills.
Further studies have been attempted by the University of Cambridge and Harvard Medical School to see if there is enough evidence to test sildenafil on patients suffering from Alzheimer’s to see if it could be potentially used as a treatment.
The results of clinical trials are still pending.
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