Men get better erections when they take statins, study reveals
The 5p-a-day cholesterol-busting drug has an effect similar to that for Viagra
MEN get better erections when they take statins, a study reveals today.
The 5p-a-day cholesterol-buster clears arteries, easing blood flow and helping maintain stiffies, say experts.
Its effect is similar to that for Viagra, scientists say.
A team studied 100 men aged between 40 to 70 who had high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction — also known as impotence.
Half were given low-dose statins for three months while the rest were left untreated.
The pills group saw the “score” for their erections jump from 11.4 to 16.3 on a 25-point scale.
Study chief Alexios Samentzas, a cardiologist in Athens, Greece, said: “We hoped to see some small improvement but it was much larger than expected.
“Participants experienced a 43 per cent improvement in erections.
“The effect is around half that of sildenafil [Viagra].
“By improving cholesterol levels, patients were also benefiting from better erections.
“It’s a win-win.”
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He said statins were unlikely to help erections in men with healthy levels of cholesterol.
The findings were disclosed to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Rome.
The British Heart Foundation said the findings should reassure men who fear statins may cause erectile dysfunction.
Around eight million Brits take statins for heart health.
Viagra began as a heart drug before its effect on impotence was realised.