A unique study was recently done evaluating the effects of either Viagra or Cialis on sperm motility in INFERTILE men ages 32- 39, after a ONE time dose on a semen sample taken 1-2 hours later (see bottom of the post). This study found that the average percent of motile or swimming sperm went up from 28% for controls (no meds) to 37% with the Viagra, and down to 21% with the Cialis.
Why is this study important?
1) They used younger infertile men. This is the exact population that occasionally needs a little “help” to deliver a good semen sample for assisted reproduction, or semen analysis, or during intercourse at home– who may be having “burn out” from the stress of Sex on Demand at ovulation.
2) They used one dose of the meds, like a couple might want to do to make sure there are no ED issues or stress at a critical time- again either for a fertility test or procedure, or on key days at home.
3) Viagra significantly increased average sperm motility and took it almost to a normal level (40% motile or higher is normal).
Discussion: Many, many couples who are having trouble conceiving end up with male performance issues due to a variety of reasons. This is far more common than you would think, and than your doc will tell you about – mostly because few couples tell their physician about this. These issues include: stress of sex on demand, having to have frequent intercourse (without time for a build up of desire), having to perform for a procedure or test. Ladies, imagine what it would be like if conceiving a child REQUIRED you to orgasm on a certain day!!! You can see why our men get stressed!
If performance issues arise (where DH can’t get the job done at a critical time), it can really make a couple sideways and puts even more stress on him the next time around. I have received many emails from couples where baby-dancing during a peak fertile day ended up in tears !
If you are experiencing this, or are worried about it for a big fertility procedure, ask your doctor for a one time dose of Viagra (some studies have shown chronic use may affect other types of sperm function).
Also, be sure and keep things slippery and fun for intercourse with Pre~Seed, or for manual semen collection with Pre’. The more he is stimulated the better semen sample he can produce. And part of proper stimulation is a well lubricated experience- it really does matter!
Dr. E
Fertil Steril. 2007 Oct;88(4):860-5. Epub 2007 Jun 4. Links
Alterations in sperm motility after acute oral administration of sildenafil or tadalafil in young, infertile men.Pomara G, Morelli G, Canale D, Turchi P, Caglieresi C, Moschini C, Liguori G, Selli C, Macchia E, Martino E, Francesca F.
Urology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Pisana, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acute effect of sildenafil and tadalafil on seminal parameters in young, infertile patients. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical investigation on semen parameters after the administration of a single dose of sildenafil (50 mg) or tadalafil (20 mg). SETTING: An academic hospital as well as a male infertility center and clinical andrology laboratories. PATIENT(S): Eighteen young, infertile men. INTERVENTION(S): Oral administration of a single dose of sildenafil (50 mg) or tadalafil (20 mg) in a blind, randomized order. The semen samples were collected 1 or 2 hours after each treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Changes in sperm parameters after sildenafil and tadalafil administration, compared with the basal conditions. RESULT(S): A significant increase in sperm progressive motility (median value, 37.0% vs. 28.5%) was observed after sildenafil administration as compared with baseline; in contrast, a significant decreased value was observed after tadalafil (median value, 21.5% vs. 28.5%). CONCLUSION(S): These preliminary results indicate that sperm motility appears to be acutely affected in young, infertile patients by a single dose of sildenafil and tadalafil, with opposite effects: stimulatory by the former and inhibitory by the latter.
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