As discussed above, a thin uterine lining prevents embryos from successful implantation. Dr. Geoffrey Sher of the Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine in New Orleans, LA, prescribed Viagra to four different women based on this theory, and found that three of the four became pregnant as a result. Now hailed by some as a revolutionary miracle drug, others stress caution and advocate strict clinical studies before unrealistic claims are made. It is unknown at this point whether the results of the successful pregnancies were due to the Viagra, the other treatments, or the combination of both. And while the results are certainly promising enough to warrant further study, many fear that false claims made now will lead women to use the drug on their own, without their physician's advice, and before more concrete research is conducted.
Fertilization is much more difficult to accomplish when sperm motility is reduced.
So while sildenafil may reduce cases of infertility in women, it may just have the opposite effect on men. High dosages of sildenafil added to semen also results in a mean decrease of pH from 8.6 to 7.84. Although high doses of sildenafil negatively affect sperm motility, this effect may be due to the drop in pH. Like the Viagra claim, however, the effects of sildenafil on sperm motility need further study and review. And although the literature in this area is still fairly limited, it is important to reach a conclusion on how the drug will ultimately affect the quality and quantity of sperm. Answers to these questions will provide us with greater insight into treating male factor infertility.