Effect Of Viagra On Serum Testosterone Levels
We have all known the iconic blue pill and the red pill. However, this blue pill the whole world is talking about right now is definitely not from Matrix. Viagra is that blue pill that has done wonders for men with ED (erectile dysfunction). It has the active pharmaceutical ingredient, called sildenafil that works by inhibiting PDE-5 – an enzyme which is not only responsible for relaxing the penis tissues but also regulating the blood supply to penile tissue.
The use of Viagra, however, is not just confined to the blood flow enhancement. While some are aware of it, Viagra is a prescription drug that is effectively used to boost the levels of testosterone in men. It has been extensively researched drug that has revealed engrossing results. Therefore, its use has become more frequent and is now a commonly prescribed testosterone booster.
Are There Any Research Studies To Support The Testosterone Boosting Effects Of Viagra?
In 2010 a study was conducted on leydig cells of isolated rat, which showed that the active ingredient found in Viagra, i.e. sildenafil, has the tendency to boost the levels of testosterone by increasing the cAMP levels. cAMP serves as the second messenger between hormones and cells and with the increase in cAMP secretion, the testosterone levels boost almost instantaneously.
Study led by Matthew Spitzer further confirmed the findings of this phenomenon. As part of the study, Spitzer collected the data from 140 men with erectile issues and low testosterone levels i.e. lower than 330n/dl). These men were given optimum dose of sildenafil. Men on alpha blocker received 25mg of sildenafil, men who were using it for the first time received a dose of 50mg, and the group of men who had used it in the past got 100mg of sildenafil.
The scientist noted and observed the promising results on the subjects for a periodof 3-7 weeks. The results yielded:
- Elevation of total testosterone by 40%
- Elevation of free testosterone by 50%
- Significant elevation in the levels of DHT (a potent form of testosterone)
These remarkable findings also raised the questions about how sildenafil increases serum testosterone levels and what might be the long-term implications. Matthew proposed that it occurred due to decline in the levels of serum LH (luteinizing hormone) which resultantly elevated the levels of testosterone. This inverse relationship between LH and testosterone was established regardless of the fact that the subjects were probably involved in more sexual activity during the test period.
With vast studies, it has been proven that Viagra affects the serum levels of testosterone positively and helps increase the levels to a great deal in men with poor levels of testosterone.
It’s no news how people on various prescription drugs often suffer from low testosterone levels as a side effect. But knowing that out there is a drug that boosts the level of testosterone and fights back erectile dysfunction, has served as total game changer for men. Low levels of testosterone not only affect men physically, but they also become mentally disturbed, with their confidence in pieces. Viagra has been scientifically proven to be the solution to all men’s problems regarding ED and low levels of testosterone.
References
- Spitzer, M., Bhasin, S., Travison, T. G., Davda, M. N., Stroh, H., & Basaria, S. (2013). Sildenafil increases serum testosterone levels by a direct action on the testes. Andrology, 1(6), 913-918.
- Hackett, G., Heald, A. H., Sinclair, A., Jones, P. W., Strange, R. C., & Ramachandran, S. (2016). Serum testosterone, testosterone replacement therapy and all‐cause mortality in men with type 2 diabetes: retrospective consideration of the impact of PDE5 inhibitors and statins. International journal of clinical practice, 70(3), 244-253.
- Kandel, A. H., Esawy, A. M., & Khater, E. M. (2016). Evaluation of the effect of sildenafil and tadalafil on testosterone blood level. Human Andrology, 6(3), 92-95.