Serious question, Nitrox and extended erections

[SharPll]

I'm sorry to be indelicate, but we must not be the only one with this "issue."

We're getting ready to go back to Bonaire again for a week of diving and we're Nitrox certified, so we use it all of the time since it makes the dives so much easier.

Nitrox or some variation is clearly a big part of erection pills. My husband gets unending erections when we're diving with Nitrox. Yeah, ha ha, all is fun until it's just too much. Even he says it's exhausting and annoying to have one all of the time.

Has anyone had this issue, and more importantly, is there anything to do to nullify the effects? Honestly, we don't ever have any issues anyway, so it's not needed at all

 

[MaxBottomtime]

From Undercurrent.org
Al Ankus, an Undercurrent subscriber and pharmacist in Chicago, IL, offers an explanation. He told us that Nitric oxide (a by-product of Nitrox inhalation) serves as a neurotransmitter between nerve cells. Production of nitric oxide “also plays a role in development and maintenance of erection by stimulating the smooth muscle cells surrounding the blood vessels supplying the corpus cavernosum (region of erectile tissue that contains most of the blood in the penis during erection). Through relaxation of these muscles, more blood can flow in.” By the way, adds our friendly pharmacist, “Nitric oxide is the main ingredient of sildenafel — commonly known as . . . Viagra.”

Ern Campbell, MD, who runs Scubadoc blog told us that while there are good anecdotal reports, there still isn’t any hard evidence. He speculates, with tongue in cheek, that perhaps vigorous sex and Cialis before diving might decrease the risk of decompression illness, citing research that shows while fitness above a basic level made little difference, a bout of intense exercise (amorous or otherwise, he says) 20 hours before a simulated dive in a pressure chamber dramatically reduced nitrogen bubble formation. The researchers believe that the exercise eliminates microbubbles that seed the formation of larger bubbles in the blood.

Other studies suggest that these microbubbles are attached to the walls of blood vessels. Exercise is known to stimulate the release of nitric oxide (NO), which not only dilates blood vessels but changes their surface properties, making them more slippery.

Obviously, there’s a need for more research in this subject. As soon as we find a research team willing to take it on, we’ll put out a call for volunteers.


My personal studies have shown that after a day of diving Nitrox, washing the boat, filling tanks, then working on my photos, all I want to do is sleep.

 

[SharPll]

I could have told you it was the main ingredient in Viagra.

We usually do 4/5 dives a day when we're there, which is quite a bit of exercise. I don't know how we could do a lot more to wear him out so we don't have this issue.

There have got to be more people with this issue! Besides diving, it's taking two or three times a day at least to relieve the "pressure." It gets painful for both of us after awhile.

 

[AdivingBel]

I'm sorry, but where the he11 is @DandyDon when you need him...

 

[Esprise Me]

This is the second thread I've read this week about Viagra and diving. Does this mean Nitrox might treat or prevent IPE?
Update on IPE research at Duke

 

[dewdropsonrosa]

The connections get better still... there's an injectable ED drug known as Trimix.

 

[Saboteur]

From Undercurrent.org
Al Ankus, an Undercurrent subscriber and pharmacist in Chicago, IL, offers an explanation. He told us that Nitric oxide (a by-product of Nitrox inhalation) serves as a neurotransmitter between nerve cells. Production of nitric oxide “also plays a role in development and maintenance of erection by stimulating the smooth muscle cells surrounding the blood vessels supplying the corpus cavernosum (region of erectile tissue that contains most of the blood in the penis during erection). Through relaxation of these muscles, more blood can flow in.” By the way, adds our friendly pharmacist, “Nitric oxide is the main ingredient of sildenafel — commonly known as . . . Viagra.”

Ern Campbell, MD, who runs Scubadoc blog told us that while there are good anecdotal reports, there still isn’t any hard evidence. He speculates, with tongue in cheek, that perhaps vigorous sex and Cialis before diving might decrease the risk of decompression illness, citing research that shows while fitness above a basic level made little difference, a bout of intense exercise (amorous or otherwise, he says) 20 hours before a simulated dive in a pressure chamber dramatically reduced nitrogen bubble formation. The researchers believe that the exercise eliminates microbubbles that seed the formation of larger bubbles in the blood.

Other studies suggest that these microbubbles are attached to the walls of blood vessels. Exercise is known to stimulate the release of nitric oxide (NO), which not only dilates blood vessels but changes their surface properties, making them more slippery.

Obviously, there’s a need for more research in this subject. As soon as we find a research team willing to take it on, we’ll put out a call for volunteers.


My personal studies have shown that after a day of diving Nitrox, washing the boat, filling tanks, then working on my photos, all I want to do is sleep.

I think that pharmacist is mistaken on a couple of points.

 

[caruso]

I'm going to test this theory and breathe off my EAN36 tank tonite after me and the girlfriend settle in. I'll report back with the results.

Perhaps it really IS true that one will feel better after breathing Nitrox!

 

[DandyDon]

I'm sorry, but where the he11 is @DandyDon when you need him...

What? Why the hell would I know anything about such?? I'm not going to call hoax, but color me skeptical. I'll ask the Mods to move this to Dive Medicine.

 

[Altamira]

@SharPll just made the additional cost of Nitrox a lot more affordable!