Already hailed as the magical cure for sexual dysfunction, it is now becoming increasingly clear that Viagra may have other health benefits

Only this week it was revealed that Viagra is providing a lifeline for a 12-month-old baby who has suffered heart problems after being born 16 weeks prematurely.

And as more studies are carried out into the potential capabilities of Viagra, it seems there is much more the drug can do.

Viagra for heart and lung conditions

Viagra could help to treat people with a potentially life-threatening heart and lung condition known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Around 250,000 people in the UK suffer from PAH, which causes high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs). Scientists believe that taking Viagra encourages blood vessels in the lungs to relax, preventing the constriction that causes hypoxia and sometimes pulmonary hypertension.

Viagra for Fertility

The world's first major study of Viagra as an aid to fertility showed that it dramatically increased the chances of pregnancy in a certain group of women.

Research carried out by the American Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Nevada, suggests the drug does this by aiding blood flow to the uterus.

Thousands of women - around one in 20 of those who seek treatment and cannot conceive because their uterine lining is too thin. Often these women cannot be helped by IVF - which involves implanting an embryo into their uterus - because the lining of their womb is not thick enough to support a pregnancy, it helps dilate blood vessels and seems to promote growth of the lining of the uterus without side-effects.

Viagra Benefits men with heart failure

Viagra is safe for men with congestive heart failure (CHF) and because Viagra, lowers their heart rate and blood pressure during exercise (including sexual activity), tests show that Viagra, Cialis and Levitra could even improve their condition.

In the past many CHF patients and their wives were often afraid that sexual activity could aggravate symptoms or even be fatal. Up to 70 per cent of CHF patients also suffer from erectile dysfunction and many stop taking their heart medication thinking it is causing the problem,instead of encouraging them to keep taking the Viagra tablets.

Viagra for Diabetes

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore found that Viagra may benefit people with gastroparesis or delayed stomach emptying.

Gastroparesis, which impedes digestion and causes dehydration and loss of appetite, is a problem for 75 per cent of diabetics who Viagra.

The researchers found that Viagra helped relax animals' stomach muscles and have been conducting trials on for human diabetics.

Viagra could help keep insulin and blood sugar levels on an even keel, which is vitally important.

Viagra for exercise capacity

Viagra may protect mountaineers from developing lung problems associated with high altitude.

German researchers testing Viagra on 14 expert climbers found that they could better tolerate hypoxia - lack of oxygen - while scaling a Himalayan peak, by taking Viagra.

The study also discovered that Viagra had a similar effect at sea level, opening up the potential of the drug as a sports performance enhancer.

It is not known if Viagra could improve lung function in healthy athletes in normal conditions as blood and lung vessels are already dilated and dilate more with exercise.

However Viagra could improve performance-in racehorses, which sometimes suffer lung bleeding and edema after racing.

Viagra helps female sexual function

Women who have been through a hysterectomy or the menopause could be helped by Viagra or other genuine prescription medications for treating erectile dysfunction such as Levitra or Cialis, according to one study.

In both cases women can take Viagra and experience a loss of production of female hormones that can lead to sexual problems such as loss of sensation and lubrication.

Viagra works by increasing the effects of nitric oxide, and in turn gets more blood flowing to the genital area.

Viagra for strokes

A gene which plays a role in the growth of blood vessels and may increase the risk of stroke could potentially be blocked by Viagra, say Iceland-based researchers.

Viagra for neo-natal care

This week it was revealed that premature baby Amelia Spall from Norwich has been given Viagra to treat her heart and lung problems.

Born 16 weeks prematurely and weighing just 1lb 5oz, at one point the baby's heart stopped. Then in August doctors prescribed Viagra to open up her arteries.

Viagra is thought to work by increasing blood flow through the pulmonary artery from the heart to the lungs.

Viagra even helps drooping plants!

Scientists at the University of the West of England hope to develop a form of Viagra for plants - after discovering a link between flaccid flowers and male impotence.

The same chemical chain of events is thought to be involved in both situations.

Is there Viagra for women?

There are some 'alternatives' to Viagra, especially as women should not take it in the first place!

Although there have been some press reports of Viagra being taken by women, it is dangerous to take any medicine without the supervision of a GP.

In the wrong circumstances, Viagra can kill.

If you are off sex, the first place to look is the relationship. Do you feel secure and loved? Have there been problems or anxieties that might have prevented you feeling sexy? Sort these out and your sex life should return to normal.

Some natural alternatives to Viagra claim to help increase libido, but there is little proof that these alternatives to Viagra really do what the makers say.

Ginseng and Evening Primrose Oil are thought to help, but do read the labels and take advice from the retailer on dosage.

Mild depression can also cause loss of interest in sex, so St John's Wort (a natural anti-depressant) may help. Check with your GP before taking it, or before taking Viagra as it can clash with some drug treatments.

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