Viagra revolutionised sex and now researchers say Viagra may have another use – relieving period pain! American scientists found that women with moderate to severe cramps who took the drug as a pessary reported less pain, because it boosted blood flow to the pelvic region.
Viagra works by elevating the levels of the chemical that causes the tissues in the body to relax, improving blood flow. The effects on erectile function were discovered accidentally – it was originally developed to improve blood supply to the heart in angina sufferers.
The study involved 25 women aged between 18 to 35 who suffered from moderate to severe period pain. Some received the viagra, the others a placebo. Patients rated their pain over four consecutive hours and reported that the Viagra relieved pain, with no side effects. But researchers also found that if used often they can also cause stomach ulcers and kidney damage.
Besides proving relief from period pain it can help alleviate pelvic pain in men. Up to 50 per cent of men suffer pelvic pain, causing discomfort around the lower back and groin and viagra helps by dilating blood vessels in the pelvic area and boosting blood flow.
The results were published in the journal Human Reproduction.
