High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction

If you're a man taking blood pressure medication and are having problems achieving or maintaining an erection, you may want to consult your doctor about the type of blood pressure medication you're taking. There are some commonly prescribed blood pressure medications which are known to contribute to erectile dysfunction - although it is unusual for them to be the sole cause. Two of the most widely prescribed classes of blood pressure medications which fall into this category are diuretics and beta blockers.

Diuretics: Also known as water pills, diuretics cause increased urination and elimination of water from the body by putting more sodium into the kidneys. The extra sodium extracts water from the blood stream and decreases the amount of fluid flowing through the blood vessels, thus reducing blood pressure. Blood pressure medications which include diuretics are often prescribed by your doctor as a first line of treatment for hypertension (high blood pressure). They have been in use for quite a while and are very effective for older adults and people who are overweight. There are three types of diuretics which are used in treating high blood pressure, thiazides, loop , and potassium-sparing. The thiazide group is the one that is most associated with ED (erectile dysfunction). Thiazides can decrease blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to acheive an erection. Some examples of thiazide-based, high blood pressure medications are: Lozol, Aquatensen, Enduron, Renese, Diuril, Naturetin, and Mykrox.

Beta Blockers: Also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta blockers inhibit the effects of adrenaline on the body, making the heart beat with less force and more slowly, thereby lowering blood pressure. Beta-blockers can interfere with the body's nervous system impulses that lead to an erection. Beta blockers can also make it difficult for the blood vessels in the penis to enlarge which causes restricted blood flow and problems acheiving an erection. Some examples of beta blocking, high blood pressure medications are: Tenormin, Coreg, Sectral, Zebeta, Corgard, Bystolic, Inderal LA, Lopressor, and Toprol XL.

If you are concerned that your blood pressure medication might be affecting your sexual performance then your doctor does have alternatives. But remember, do not stop taking your medication without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe another medication for you in the same class, one that acts in the same way, but does not cause the same side effects. On the other hand, your doctor may prescribe a completely different class of blood pressure medication provided that it is right for your condition. There are some classes of blood pressure drugs that rarely cause erectile dysfunction. These are:

1)ACE Inhibitors: Includes - Capoten, Lotensin, Prinivil, Zestril - Causes impotence rarely.

2)Alpha-Blockers: Might actually improve erectile dysfunction.

3)ARBs: Rare cases of impotence. May improve sexual function in some men with high bood pressure.

4)Calcium Channel Blockers: Includes - Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Verapamil - Ask your doctor about these, there are some that are less likely to cause ED than others.

Hypertension is often a life long condition that you will have no choice but to live with. However, impotence caused by medication is a condition that you don't necessarily have to live with. In this case, quite a number of choices can be made. If you are taking a high blood pressure medication and suffer from erectile dysfunction, ask your doctor what your choices are. The quality of your life could depend on the choice you make.

Sources:
"How High Blood Pressure Leads to Erectile Dysfunction" WebMD Better Information. Better Health.
"High blood pressure and sex: Overcome the challenges" MayoClinic.com
"High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction (ED)" WebMD Better Information. Better Health.