Women can alleviate their period pains by popping erectile dysfunction pills, a latest study by Penn State College of Medicine says.
The study conducted on 29 women found that drugs prescribed for erectile dysfunction can relieve menstrual pain.
Researchers examined the participants, aged between 18 to 35 years, who suffered from moderate to severe PD. Twenty-five of the 29 women screened for the study were randomized to receive either sildenafil citrate, the brand name for Viagra, or a placebo, the researchers stated in press release.
The participants were told to rate the levels of pain for four hours after they were administered the drug. The study results found that the women reported no side effects and did not have any pains.
"If future studies confirm these findings, sildenafil may become a treatment option for patients with PD," said lead researcher Richard Legro, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and public health sciences. "Since PD is a condition that most women suffer from and seek treatment for at some points in their lives, the quest for new medication is justified."
The researchers, however, maintained that pain alleviation caused by the drug may be due to increase of blood flow. But, they said the exact cause of alleviation of pain is unknown as uterine blood flow increased with both the drug and the placebo.
Previous studies show that some oral medications relieve pelvic pain but cause headaches.
The study authors said further research is required to understand the effects of erectile dysfunction drugs on menstrual pains.
The study is published in the journal 'Human Reproduction.'
