Novel Use of Erectile Dysfunction Medication

 By

Mark L. Gordon, M.D.
Medical Director, Millennium Health Group

             I guess its not a surprise that medication like Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra), Vardenafil HCl (Levitra) and Tadalafil (Cialis) would be found to improve not only one's sex life but other aspects of life.  Did you know that Sildenafil was originally under investigation as a heart medication but it’s fantastic side effect of producing a super erection along with a headache, blue vision, and heartburn made it a better sex drug,. and who really needed a new heart drug anyway? 

             The physiologic mechanism by which an erection occurs is the same mechanism by which all the blood vessels throughout the body respond and dilate. Under stimulation there is a release of nitric oxide (NO) which activates an enzyme - cyclic guanosine monophosphate – (cGMP) that leads to smooth muscle relaxation.  Once the muscle is relaxed another chemical called Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), is released into the tissue causing cGMP to be enzymatically destroyed thereby stopping the vascular relaxation.

             In 1998, Drs. Robert Furchgott, Louis J. Ignarro, and Ferid Murad shared in the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their work on Nitrous Oxide as a signal for the cardiovascular system. Little did they know that it would also supply the information for understanding how an erection is produced and how to improve upon exercise performance without steroids.

             It was from this information that I proposed and directed the following study: using a small group of young (30 – 50 year old), fit, bodybuilders, I would monitor their response to a low dose of one of these PDE5 drugs. At the same time, I was interested in understanding the timing relative to taking the drug and the start of an exercise routine.  They either took the drug at night (to also enjoy the effects) or took it one hour before their usually exercise routine. 

             Over-all, what I found was that the dosing of the drug one to one-and-a-half hours before exercise increased the exercise performance from 27% - 42%.  That meant an increase in the weight and number of repetitions that could be performed over the individual’s usual capacity. Additionally, there was less muscular pain (acidosis) and a shorter recovery time from the heavier lifting routine. 

             So what happened: the drug increased the vascular blood flow throughout the body thereby, bringing more nutrients and oxygen to the tissues. Also, this increase in blood flow enhanced the wash-out of muscle generated Lactic Acid. As we all know and have experienced with intense workouts, Lactic Acid causes muscle burning, cramping and the loss of optimal function. With a higher blood flow, the muscles are able to function more efficiently under Aerobic conditions and spend less time in a less efficient Anaerobic state.

             At the start of the project, most of the males were concerned about having an uncontrolled erection while performing their workouts. Fortunately, they were at a Gym that was not well known for the usual Hollywood crowd. Needless-to-say, no one complained about having an erection during their workout, that came and they did too after the gym. 

             Now that the study is over, I continue to provide the education and prescription drugs to those committed bodybuilders who have decided not to use sports enhancing drugs. What they have found is that they can achieve a vascular pump, increase in lifting capacity and faster recovery that is far greater and safer than any anabolic steroid that you could use.