The unusual reason women are turning to Viagra and its not for sex

For almost 30 years, the “little blue pill” has helped men perform in the bedroom.However, this medication is only approved for men, and despite recent innovations, there’s still no equivalent alternative on the market for women.But in a twist of fate, Viagra — medically known as sildenafil — has an interesting emerging use for a condition that affects more women than men.Chronic or extreme coldness in your extremities can be a sign of poor circulation, an occurrence that affects far more women than men.In more severe cases, this drops beyond discomfort into Raynaud’s syndrome, a generally harmless condition causing numbness, a prickling, stinging pain and even noticeable skin color changes.Here’s how the “little blue pill” can provide relief from cold-weather pain.When weather chills, the body tries to keep its core temperature high.It constricts blood vessels near the skin first, then in extremities, to direct blood flow to vital organs like the heart and brain.That’s partly why frostbite strikes your fingers and toes first.

They’re the farthest from your body’s core.People with Raynaud’s have an extreme reaction to the cold that clamps blood flow to their extremities.This vascular spasm turns the skin white from a lack of blood or blue, as oxygen levels drop.Those with Raynaud’s are particularly sensitive to cold weather, but attacks can happen throughout the year.“For example, when you come out of a heated pool, walk into an air-conditioned building, or reach into the freezer section at the supermarket,” rheumatologist Dr.

Robert H.Shmerling told Harvard Health.

“Even slight changes in air temperature can trigger an episode.”This disproportionately affects women as they naturally have more fat than men, which further restricts blood flow.And because women are typically smaller, they lose heat faster.Remember that for men, Viagra works by pumping blood to their penis, making erections easier.

For those with pain in the cold...