Sildenafil increases uterine blood flow in nonpregnant nulliparous women.

Author(s): Hale SA, Jones CW, Osol G, Schonberg A, Badger GJ, Bernstein IM

Affiliation(s): Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.

Publication date & source: 2010-04, Reprod Sci., 17(4):358-65.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

This study investigated the effect of sildenafil on uterine volumetric blood flow (UVF) and vascular impedance in nonpregnant, nulliparous women. Fifteen women were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either placebo or sildenafil (25 or 100 mg) during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Color Doppler ultrasound of both uterine arteries was performed at baseline and at 1 and 3 hours postdosing to calculate resistance index (RI) and UVF. Those who received sildenafil significantly increased UVF and decreased RI over the 3-hour monitoring period. When UVF responses to sildenafil were examined as a function of baseline UVF, a significant increase in UVF was observed in only those participants with higher baseline UVF. Overall, women in the luteal phase demonstrated a significant increase in UVF in response to sildenafil. However, this increase appears to be directly associated with basal UVF.