There are several drugs that cause Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men or AMAB.
It is a prevalent sexual dysfunction among males. There is a paper on the likely worldwide increase in Erectile Dysfunction. As per the paper, approximately 322 million men may have ED by 2025.
Several psychological and physical factors can cause Erectile Dysfunction.
One of the physical causes can be the medications or drugs you might be taking.
ED can be a common side effect of several drugs, such as painkillers and antidepressants.
This article discusses the drugs that cause Erectile Dysfunction and treatment.
Antidepressants
Doctors frequently prescribe Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of Depression.
SSRIs reduce the symptoms of Depression. They selectively inhibit the reuptake of Serotonin in the central nervous system.
A study suggests that many side effects of SSRIs are related to increased Serotonin.
Serotonin increase may affect other hormones and neurotransmitters, such as Testosterone and Dopamine.
This may lead to sexual dysfunction. Testosterone may affect sexual arousal, while dopamine is responsible for an orgasm.
Some antidepressants (SSRIs), such as Fluoxetine, have a lower risk of side effects than others, such as Paroxetine.
You may use antidepressants with a lower risk of side effects to avoid potential ED.
Additionally, Viagra is used for treating ED, and it may interact with antidepressants. To understand the safety of combining these medications, consider reading the article – “Can You Take Viagra With Antidepressants?“.
Anti-androgens
Androgens are hormones responsible for the development of sexual characteristics. Anti-androgens block the effects of androgen hormones such as Testosterone.
Prostate cancer treatment commonly includes the use of anti-androgens. They work by reducing the effects of androgens like Testosterone, which may affect sexual arousal.
There is a paper published in 2006 on whether androgens are critical for erections in humans. As per the paper, androgens like Testosterone are critical for erectile function.
Erectile Dysfunction is one of the side effects of low Testosterone levels.
Some ED patients may be unable to respond to PDE5 inhibitors (common ED treatment). They may take androgen therapy for ED.
Thus, anti-androgens can cause ED by blocking the effects of androgens in the body. Some common anti-androgen medicines include Aldactone and Propecia.
In addition to anti-androgens, various factors can lower Testosterone in men. Explore this article to gain insights – “What Causes Low Testosterone in Men: Causes of Male Hypogonadism?“.
Antihistamines
Histamine is a chemical produced by the body’s immune system in reaction to allergies.
Antihistamines are a group of drugs used to treat allergy symptoms, colds, fevers, etc.
According to a paper, histamines may play a role in male erection. This could be due to the H2 receptor activation and possibly H3.
Antihistamines reduce the action of histamines in the body. This may result in Erectile Dysfunction.
Antihistamines that may contribute to your erection problems include Benadryl and Zantac.
Higher doses of antihistamines may have a higher risk of potential side effects.
High blood pressure medicines
Source: Foremniakowski_from_Getty_ImagesBlood pressure medicines are the most common type of drugs that cause ED.
High blood pressure or Hypertension medicines work by relaxing the blood vessels. This leads to easier blood flow and lower blood pressure.
These drugs can cause ED by limiting the blood flow to the penile region.
Almost all types of Hypertension drugs may lead to Erectile Dysfunction. However, beta-blockers and diuretics may pose a higher risk of impotence.
Alpha-blockers and ACE inhibitors have a lower risk of potential erection problems.
Symptoms of ED brought on by such drugs can be treated with the help of Erectile Dysfunction pills such as Kamagra and Cenforce.
Like antihypertensive medicines, high blood pressure itself can cause ED. Find insights in this article – “Can high blood pressure cause Erectile Dysfunction?“.
Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy
According to research, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy, and surgery can all lead to ED.
They can cause sexual dysfunction in the form of ED and ejaculation problems.
Ejaculation dysfunction may involve decreased or absent semen.
Chemotherapy agents are known to cause ED by causing neural and vascular damage.
Hormonal therapy like ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) is a common Prostate cancer treatment.
A common side effect of ADT is low libido. It is usually followed by ED due to reduced androgen effects in the body.
Painkillers
Many people regularly take painkillers to treat pains that become more prevalent with age. This may increase the risk of potential erection problems.
Usually, men take Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain. NSAIDs are the most common pain-relieving medicines in the world.
Some common NSAIDs or painkillers include Aspirin and Ibuprofen.
As per a paper published in The Journal of Urology, NSAIDs can increase the risk of potential ED.
Does the use of Gabapentin also lead to ED? Read this article to know – Gabapentin and Erectile Dysfunction: Causes, Effects, and Management.
What to do if I have ED
Source: photobyphotoboyYour healthcare provider may diagnose you with ED if you have continuous trouble having or maintaining erections. If you face such a problem occasionally, it may not be a cause for worry.
If you have any reason to believe you may have ED, you should consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Let them know all your problems, the medication you may be taking, and what you expect from the treatment.
As the first line of treatment, they may suggest ED pills such as Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. They may also recommend ED exercises and a healthy lifestyle.
You may need to consider injection, vacuum devices, or surgery for severe ED symptoms.
Numerous ED medications are on the market, making it challenging to determine the best fit for your needs. Simplify your decision by reading this article – Choosing the Right Pill to Treat ED.
Explore Our Range of ED Medications and Rediscover Confidence and Satisfaction.
Final thoughts
A person may take various medicines throughout life to treat day-to-day medical conditions.
But, they may not pay attention to the potential side effects of such drugs.
ED can be a side effect of several commonly used drugs, such as antidepressants and painkillers.
Hypertension or blood pressure medicines are the most common types of medicines that cause ED. High-risk Hypertension drugs that cause Erectile Dysfunction may include beta-blockers and diuretics.
Antihistamines, anti-androgens, chemotherapy, and hormonal medicines may also pose a risk of potential ED symptoms.
You may consult your doctor to treat drug-induced ED symptoms. They may suggest ED pills in combination with exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Always talk to your doctor before taking any ED pills or any other medications.
Apart from ED pills, several wave therapies can also help manage this condition. Check this article to get the detailed information – “What Is Wave Therapy For ED? Know All About It“.
AMAB: Assigned Males at Birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can high blood pressure cause Erectile Dysfunction?
A common cause of Erectile Dysfunction includes high blood pressure. It can damage the lining of the blood vessels to narrow the arteries.
This will decrease blood flow to the penis, resulting in erection problems.
Can smoking weed every day cause Erectile Dysfunction?
There is insufficient evidence to suggest that smoking weed can cause Erectile Dysfunction.
But, the drug can have other complications, such as heart disease. Such difficulties may lead to erection problems.
What is the fastest way to treat Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction pills are usually the first line of treatment. Pills such as Viagra start to show effects within 1 hour of consumption.
Some other ED pills include Levitra and Cialis.
In severe cases of ED, they may not be helpful. You may need to consider surgery or other ED treatment options.
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