Viagra could reduce the risk of pregnant women needing emergency Caesarean, study finds By Roger Dobson Published: 23:38, 7 September 2024 | Updated: 23:45, 7 September 2024 e-mail View comments Giving pregnant women Viagra pills during labour may reduce the risk of them needing an emergency Caesarean section, a study has found. The risk of foetal distress was also lower among women given the little blue pills. Sildenafil citrate – the generic name of the drug sold as Viagra – works for erectile dysfunction by widening blood vessels and increasing blood flow.
Researchers believe it should also increase uterine blood flow in pregnant women, ensuring more oxygen gets to the foetus, so conducted a trial on 208 subjects. Half were given up to three doses of Viagra during labour, while the others had a placebo pill. In the Viagra group, 13 out of the 104 women needed emergency Caesarean section.
In the control group, 27 women – more than twice as many – underwent an emergency operation. Researchers have found giving pregnant women Sildenafil citrate may reduce the risk of them needing an emergency c-section (stock image) A study from the Guilan University of Medical Sciences believe it should also increase uterine blood flow in pregnant women, ensuring more oxygen gets to the foetus 'Our results show that sildenafil is an effective and safe intervention to prevent foetal distress and reduce the need for emergency caesarian during labour,' said the obstetricians and gynaeco.