Viagra helps conception

Women who are trying to conceive, through in-vitro fertilization or other less high-tech means, use Viagra to stimulate thickening of the endometrial lining of the uterus.

This is the blood-rich blanket where a fertilized egg will implant itself and grow during gestation, so if a woman's lining isn't heavy enough to support fetal growth, she may not be able to conceive.

Viagra increases blood to the uterus, which helps build the endometrial lining. OK, that makes sense. So when she's planning to conceive, a woman takes Viagra and - wait, what?

They do what with it? Apparently to get the Viagra, to work on the uterus, it requires a more localized application. So the tablet has to be inserted vaginally. Not by sticking a tablet in there, either. It's administered by vaginal sildenafil suppository.

For part of her cycle, a woman will insert Viagra vaginally, then switch to progesterone to facilitate ovulation and conception.

Women on various fertility discussion boards report good results. Nitroglycerine had previously been used in a similar manner, but its side effects lead doctors to try substituting Viagra. The Viagra protocol was developed has been tested and shown effective for facilitating IVF and conception.

Not everyone is a fan of the treatment. It can have some side effects and unpleasantness, as this woman describes. So, are there Viagra suppositories for men?

There were claims that Pfizer Italia was developing Viagra using this delivery method, the supposed advantage being its rapid (30 seconds!?) effect.

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