Recent research has indicated a connection between Viagra and fertility. This issue is important to younger men who may want a family now or in the future. For older men who may have passed that point in their lives, the Viagra/fertility connection is likely a moot point. What causes this possible infertility and does frequency of use factor in? Are the effects long term or is there a window of time in which you can use the drug, then go off it and regain your potency?
For the purposes of this discussion, we will look at the effects of Viagra on fertility in men 45 and younger, who are most likely to be impacted.
The Sperm, The Egg and The Viagra
Each and every one of the tens of millions of sperm expelled during sex are very complicated organisms. Each one has a mission and is made up of chemicals and enzymes that direct them to complete the task for which they are made. Their mission is to locate the egg produced by a woman and penetrate the outer layer of the egg and fertilize it. Herein lies the possible Viagra/fertility connection. A recent UK study performed by Queens University showed the enzyme that directs sperm to penetrate the egg is damaged by Viagra.
It is important to bear in mind that this is a preliminary study only and didn’t use actual Viagra users to perform the research. This study exposed unaffected sperm outside the body to a Viagra wash and put them side by side with untouched sperm. The results showed damage to what is called the acrosome. The acrosome is located on the anterior of the head of each individual sperm. Without the acrosome, sperm are unable to penetrate the membrane surrounding an ova or female egg, leading to potential fertility issues.
This UK study didn’t look at the long term effects of Viagra on fertility but other studies have hinted at the results. There are others yet that produced results that don’t match the effects of the UK study. As a matter of fact, one of them sends quite a different message.
Mixed Results and No Conclusions
Researchers in Rome found an increase of 8.5% in sperm motility in patients using Viagra and a 7% decrease in motility in patients taking Cialis. This doesn’t combat the findings of the UK study as it didn’t look at motility. And the Rome study didn’t look at the effects of Viagra or Cialis on the acrosome. It looked at sperm activity. Simply put, it doesn’t matter how active sperm are if they are unable to penetrate the membrane of the ova once they reach it.
Where does all this information leave us in trying to understand the Viagra/fertility connection? Confused to say the least. This is one of those situations where more research will have to be done before we can draw any firm conclusions. For the time being, individuals are left to weigh the benefits and risks on their own.
Men who are interested in maintaining fertility should carefully consider all the factors of their personal situation. For instance, a 30 year old man who suffers from erection problems faces a conundrum. Does he take the Viagra and risk potential fertility problems to maintain a healthy sex life, or does he continue to live with erectile dysfunction leaving him with very little chance to impregnate his partner? Couples could always try to get pregnant while using Viagra and, if unsuccessful, turn to another erection dysfunction drug or more expensive options at fertility clinics. But without further study on the long term Viagra / fertility connection, this could be a risky strategy.
Currently the maker of Viagra, Pfizer, has been silent on this matter of a possible risk relationship between Viagra and fertility. As you read this article, there are ongoing studies on Viagra and the other erectile dysfunction drugs and their affect on fertility. Until the outcome is released, we will have to go with what we do know.
One indisputable fact is that men who abuse either recreational drugs or legal medication could damage their fertility, one way or another. Though men produce tens of millions of sperm each time they ejaculate, those sperm are somewhat fragile. The miracle of life is actually miraculous in that sense. All the physiological factors have to work in order to fertilize an egg and create a fetus. So it’s easy to see how one small vulnerability or weakness in either the man’s body or the woman’s can lead to disappointment.
What Now?
The best thing any man who is suffering from erectile dysfunction can do is talk to a doctor. Each persons’ situation is so specific that it is difficult to recommend a "one size fits all" approach. A doctor can offer you alternative erectile dysfunction treatments besides Viagra if fertility is an important concern to you. Talking to your doctor also keeps you on the front line of information as your physician likely keeps up with all the latest study results.
If you decide to take Viagra, the Internet is another great place to keep up on all the latest information. You can keep an eye on current studies and get some advice from other men in your situation in Viagra chat rooms or forums. Also consult with
The little blue pill’s advantages, side effects, drug interactions and precautions are detailed there in full. And when we know more about any relevant risk factors associated with any products sold by eDrugstore.com, we’ll share them with you immediately.
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