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Viagra (sildenafil citrate) was approved by the FDA in the year 1998 as the first oral pill for treating erectile dysfunction, caused due to any reason, physical or psychogenic. This gave a ray of hope to such patients also who were suffering from spinal cord injury. Viagra quickly drew the interest of the males who were suffering with spinal cord injury as many experience difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection due to the injury effects.
The research undertaken concluded that Viagra is well tolerated and highly effective for men with erection problems caused by spinal cord injury. It was also found that treatment with sildenafil resulted in statistically significant improvements in key quality of life parameters in individuals with SCI who experience ED.
A two-part pilot study of sildenafil (Viagra) in men with erectile dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury, reports that "Sildenafil is an effective, well-tolerated oral treatment for ED in SCI subjects". Another article, 'Efficacy and Safety of Oral Sildenafil (Viagra) in Men with Erectile Dysfunction Caused by Spinal Cord Injury', reports on the same study. It concluded, "Oral sildenafil, taken as required (not more than once daily), significantly improves the quality of erections and satisfaction with sex life in men with erectile dysfunction caused by a spinal cord injury between T6 and L5." In reviewing the results of this study one must keep in mind that the sample size was small (27 patients), it was funded by Pfizer Inc, the company manufacturing the drug, and it was conducted in England . This study used only individuals with a level of injury at or below T7 who had incomplete lesions.
Viagra Research
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