THE stink of rotten eggs has the same affect on men as Viagra, scientists have discovered.The pongy gas hydrogen sulphide plays a part in human erections.
The gas is released when eggs rot - and when people break wind. Researchers have found that tiny amounts of hydrogen sulphide are given off by nerve cells in a man's penis to prepare it for intercourse.
It relaxes certain muscle cells, boosting blood flow and giving a better erection.
Now the bizarre finding could help doctors develop a more effective version of the impotency drug Viagra, which only works for two-thirds of men.
Scientists from the University of Naples in Italy studied eight men who underwent sex-change operations.
Research leader Professor Giuseppe Cirino said: "We found that hydrogen sulphide is involved in human penile erection. That was proved in this study." He added that the discovery would help treat erectile dysfunction in future.
He said: "It should be possible to develop drugs that either deliver hydrogen sulphide or control its production."
Viagra currently works in a different way, harnessing the power of nitric oxide.
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