For many women, monthly menstrual cramps can stop them in their tracks, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness. But according to researchers from Penn State College of Medicines, a common drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in men could provide some relief.

In a recent study published in the journal Human Reproduction, the researchers, led by Dr. Richard Legro, studied the effects of sildenafil citrate – commercially known as Viagra – on women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

According to the team, PD is the most common reason for pelvic pain in women. Although it is painful and disruptive, it is not due to other diseases.

Anti-inflammatory drugs – including ibuprofen – are the most widely used treatment for pain relief of menstrual cramps, but the researchers say it does not work for all women, and is associated with ulcers and kidney damage when used repeatedly.

Erectile dysfunction drugs have previously shown an improvement in pelvic pain when taken orally, the researchers note, but this can often result in headaches, which they say makes it largely unsuitable for chronic use.

As a result, the researchers from this latest study assessed the results of using sildenafil citrate vaginally, which they say had not yet been tried to alleviate PD.