There are myths and rumours that surround most medications you come across; Erectile Dysfunction treatments definitely have their fair share. So, does Sildenafil impact your fertility?
In this article, we debunk some myths about Sildenafil affecting your fertility and answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the medication.
CAN SILDENAFIL LOWER YOUR SPERM COUNT?
The purpose of taking Sildenafil is to get and maintain an erection and the NHS makes it clear that there is no solid evidence of the drug (including the branded variation, Viagra) affecting your fertility.
There was a study carried out on 17 healthy volunteers to discover if Sildenafil affected the quality of their sperm. The results of this study showed that there was no statistically relevant change in their sperm quality, and therefore they believe it doesn’t affect your sperm function[1].
CAN SILDENAFIL HELP YOU WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO CONCEIVE?
There have been some claims that Erectile Dysfunction treatments like Sildenafil (or the branded version, Viagra) can affect eggs being fertilised.
There were some studies carried out in 2002 to state that the drug may affect the sperm’s ability to fertilise, however, the NHS has said that there is no solid evidence proving this theory[2].
There are multiple studies that suggest that Erectile Dysfunction medication can actually boost the number of motile sperm (commonly referred to as ‘swimming sperm’) which are important factors for fertilising an egg[3].
It’s also important to note that this medication does not affect your contraception, so it is possible to get pregnant if you have unprotected sex[4].
CAN YOU TAKE SILDENAFIL WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING?
Sildenafil is mainly an Erectile Dysfunction treatment, therefore predominately taken by men over the age of 18. There is no solid evidence showing that this medication can help women who are suffering from problems with sex. However, it can also be used to treat a condition known as Pulmonary Hypertension[5].
Pulmonary Hypertension is a serious condition that means you have high blood pressure in your pulmonary arteries, which are blood vessels that supply blood to your lungs from your heart. There is no cure, but it can be managed through treatment.
The arteries become stiff and narrow, making it harder for blood to pass through leading to high blood pressure – this can damage your heart over time. Sildenafil works by relaxing the blood vessels in the chest[5].
If you are taking Sildenafil when you become pregnant, you should continue to take it throughout your pregnancy as recommended[6], and so long as your baby is deemed healthy by a doctor, it is safe to take Sildenafil while breastfeeding[6].
As discussed previously, Sildenafil doesn’t affect your fertility, but if you do suffer from Pulmonary Hypertension you should speak to your doctor if you are planning to have a baby.
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