Viagra an enhancement pill for Athletes?

Viagra is hands down one (if not the most) effective treatments for erectile dysfunction. But Viagra as a strength enhancement pill for athletes?  That seems to be the buzz in the athletic world and sports officials are investigating the rumors if they indeed have a medical basis. Patients suffering from erectile dysfunction either have a problem getting an erection or maintaining such erection up to the completion of the sexual activity.  Viagra has been proven to be a very effective medication for those suffering from impotence.

But lately it seems that athletes have found a new use for Viagra and that is to boost their performance in sports competitions.  No one can however sanctions athletes found using Viagra because it is not included in the list of prohibited drugs by the International Olympic Committee.  Reports that Viagra is prevalently used in the sporting world have already reached the World Anti-Doping Agency but Viagra has not yet been banned by the Agency.

The discovery of Viagra or Sildenafil as treatment for erectile dysfunction was actually accidental.  Researchers were looking for a drug that can solve heart problems and since Sildenafil can expand the blood vessels due to the increase in nitric oxide it was originally developed as medication for the heart.  It is also an approved treatment for pulmonary hypertension.

However, Viagra is more popular as that little blue pill which can make erections not only easy but which can make erections last up to the completion of the sexual act.  But can Viagra make athletes more competitive?  Studies show that Viagra has improved the performance of cyclists by up to 40%. Agency authorities do not believe that having more nitric oxide from the ingestion of Viagra does not make one a better athlete. A New York University School of Medicine sexual health expert however declared otherwise saying more oxygen in the muscles means more energy which can make one a better athlete.  

But no matter what the implications of Viagra use among athletes are, the increasing use of Viagra by athletes should be a cause of concern considering that Viagra is a prescription medication and should only be taken in after a medical check up and subject to a doctor’s recommendation.  Improper use of Viagra can actually pose a problem for athletes in the end.