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.
ED can have several psychological and physical causes.
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.
Table of Contents
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 side effects of 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.
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, such as testosterone. Testosterone 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 such as testosterone are critical for erectile function.
Some ED patients may be unable to respond to PDE-5 inhibitors therapy (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.
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 human penile 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 which 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
Blood pressure medicines are the most common type of drugs which 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. But 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 ED pills such as Kamagra and Cenforce.
Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy
Source: Getty-images-signatureAccording 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 dysfunction.
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.
What to do if I have ED
Source: Africa-imagesYour healthcare provider may diagnose you with ED if you have continuous trouble having or sustaining 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 or Cenforce. They may also recommend exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
You may need to consider injection or surgery for severe ED symptoms.
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.
AMAB: Assigned male 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 Kamagra, Cenforce, and Cialis.
In severe cases of ED, they may not be helpful. You may need to consider surgery or other treatment options.
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