Erectile Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Improves with Daily Viagra

Erectile dysfunction, a common problem among men who have type 2 diabetes, may improve in men who take sildenafil (Viagra) daily, according to a new study published in the Journal of Andrology. Daily use of sildenafil improves endothelial function—which includes healthy dilation and constriction of the blood vessels—and increases blood flow to the penis.

Weakened endothelial function is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, as the blood vessels become damaged over the course of the disease. One consequence of this reduction in function can be erectile dysfunction. It is estimated that 50 percent of men who are impotent also have diabetes.

In a ten-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 24 men with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to take either 50 mg of Viagra or placebo daily. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) was used to determine erectile hardness, and endothelial function was tracked using brachial artery flow mediated dilation.

The men were similar in age (range, 49-75), length of time they had the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, duration of erectile dysfunction, past medical histories (e.g., smoking, alcohol use, high blood pressure, high cholesterol), and their IIEF-5 scores when entering the trial. At the end of 10 weeks, the men who had taken Viagra showed significant improvement in erectile rigidity and increased vascular circulation and endothelial function.

The authors of the study acknowledge that the small number of men in the study and the short duration of the trial are limitations. However, given the promising results, they believe a larger study with a longer follow-up and more analyses of the impact of Viagra is warranted.