Viagra after Spinal Cord Damage

Q. Thank you for your information on the use of a pump for erectile dysfunction. My friend, age 42, had a bad construction accident and suffered spinal damage some 10 years ago. We enjoy each other sexually, and he achieves an orgasm without the pump. We only used the pump once due to pain on his part. Would Viagra help him? I have not read anything on Viagra for men with spinal injury. He is otherwise healthy and active in every other way. This is hard on him emotionally, as you can imagine.

A. The erectile reflex mechanism is so complex, involving so many pathways up and down the spinal cord and brain stem, that we as urologists are just beginning to understand it. It is interesting that no two patients are alike in their ability to achieve and maintain an erection after spinal cord damage.

Nonetheless, in the initial trials of Viagra, there was a group of patients with spinal cord injury that did benefit from the drug. I encourage your friend to see his doctor to try Viagra.