A recent study on what blood pressure medication does not cause erectile dysfunction states that some of the selected medicines used for high blood pressure don’t leads to ED.
While on the contrary there exist some high blood pressure medicine that add up to ED. Though it sounds a little bit confusing, trust me & just dive into this blog to get more clarified information on how blood pressure medicines are related to ED in men.
However, there are several medicines that cause ED, but medications managing blood pressure are nearly on top of the list. Especially the use of high-blood-pressure medicines.
Connection Between ED & High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure refers to the abnormally high flow of blood in the artery walls. Which causes damage to the arteries by narrowing the vessels or sometimes burst out. Heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, impotence, and other problems are some of the severe side effects of high blood pressure.
Talking about ED is an uncommon sexual disorder that has affected 50% of men. Apart from the consumption of blood pressure medicines there exist unhealthy lifestyles like smoking, and eating junk & fried foods which are some leading contributors to ED.
A health survey showed that 49% of the men consuming high blood pressure medicines have suffered from ED. As this medicine damages the blood vessels by narrowing & hardening them. Resulting in less flow of blood to the corpus cavernosum ( erectile tissue), one of the major factors for ED. It clearly defines a dreadful rapo that harms the sexual life of men.
How Does Blood Flow Help to Cause an Erection?
It is a general & basic biological process that causes an erection. With sexual stimulation or sexual arousal, there is a release of Nitric Oxide( a gaseous messenger) that activates the blood vessels. This activation leads to the smoothening of muscle & vasodilation( opening of arteries present in the penis) making a path for the flow of blood. This continuous flow of blood to the penile region helps an individual to get an erection. While the opposite happens with the use of high blood pressure medications.
BP Medicines That Do Not Cause Erectile Dysfunction:
In the beginning only it is mentioned that some low blood pressure medicines exclusively work for the heart and are less prone to cause ED. Hope you remember this. Below listed medicines are beneficial for the functioning of erection:-
Alpha Blockers
Though it is not the choicest medicine for high blood pressure but when combined with other medications it can work effectively. Norepinephrine is a chemical that produces during stressful events leading to constriction of blood vessels. The use of alpha-blockers acts as norepinephrine inhibitors assisting in decreasing blood pressure. Which relaxes & widens the blood vessels making it easier for the blood to flow. Some common alpha-blockers include:
- Cardura (doxazosin)
- Minipress (prazosin)
- Baratol (indoramin)
- Hytrin (terazosin)
In a clinical study, it is recorded that a combination of injection therapy with alpha-blockers using 4 milligrams showed an advancement in erection function. Where 22 men got the desired result of 38 participants.
But it is not recommended to take any type of ED medicines or PDE-5 inhibitors. Due to the possibility of a sudden drop in the blood pressure. And have the slightest side effects like dizziness & heartbeat palpitation.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
This ACE inhibitor inhibits the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II which later converts to vasoconstrictor and results in high blood pressure. Whereas, angiotensin is a protein whose presence in the blood work to narrow the blood vessels leading to a rise in blood pressure.
And in the initial step only, ACE inhibitors inhibit the effect of converted angiotensin. Leading to less creation of angiotensin II by which the blood vessels get relaxed & decrease the blood pressure. ACE inhibitors also work to improve stamina & sexual performance by reducing the strain on the heart. Some of the ACE inhibitors are:-
- Accupril (quinapril)
- Aceon (perindopril)
- Altace (ramipril)
- Capoten (captopril)
- Lotensin (benazepril)
- Mavik (trandolapril)
- Monopril (fosinopril)
- Prinivil (lisinopril)
- Univasc (moexipril)
- Vasotec (enalapril)
These ACE inhibitors can work effectively for ED as a result of atherosclerosis.
Calcium Channel Blockers
It is known to everybody that calcium is one of the essential minerals for your body. It is not endogenous rather it is produced from the food that we eat. After calcium enters our body, it gets through the tiny pores present in the muscle and eventually penetrates into the cells of the heart & arteries. This penetration causes the squeezing of the heart & arteries more strongly. That causes constriction of blood vessels & high blood pressure.
Here calcium channel blockers, block the activity of calcium reducing the stress on the heart by helping the blood vessels to relax and the heart muscle receives more oxygenated blood. Which is how CCBs are able to lower blood pressure and treat angina(chest pain). Some of the known CBCs are:-
- Adalat (nifedipine)
- Calan (verapamil)
- Cardene (nicardipine)
- Cardizem (diltiazem)
- Nimotop (nimodipine)
- Norvasc (amlodipine)
- Plendil (felodipine)
- Sular (nisoldipine)
These are validators & are injected directly into the penis or urethra. Giving an instant erection shortly within 10 minutes. But a daily injection process can sometimes cause a reduction in muscle contractions.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
We have already discussed how ACE inhibitors work but here ARBs directly affect the work of angiotensin. ARBs work in the same way by widening the blood vessels that manage the flow of blood like other drugs. Different ARBs are:-
- Atacand (candesartan)
- Avapro (irbesartan)
- Benicar (olmesartan)
- Cozaar (losartan)
- Diovan (valsartan)
- Edarbi (azilsartan)
- Micardis (telmisartan)
- Teveten (eprosartan)
ARBs are not that effective for erectile function as compared to any other efficacious medications for ED.
If you face any kind of erectile dysfunction talk to the doctor & ask for alternatives.
Blood Pressure Medications Cause Impotence:-
With growing age men face erectile dysfunction due to a lot of factors. Blood Pressure is one of them. There are some BP medicines that can cause erectile dysfunction. Sudden use of these listed medications won’t show off for ED, but with time it can affect erectile function. Medicines like:-
Thiazide Diuretics
As a medication for managing high blood pressure, this can significantly drop blood pressure. Thiazide Diuretics also known as water pills helps to release excess water, salt & zinc from the body through urination. This leads to the reduction of zinc in the body which is an essential nutrient responsible for the production of testosterone. Like:-
- Bumex (bumetanide)
- Hygroton (chlorthalidone)
- Diuril (chlorothiazide)
- Edecrin (ethacrynate)
- Lasix (furosemide)
- Esidrix, Hydrodiuril, Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide HCTZ)
- Lozol (indapamide)
- Enduron (methyclothiazide)
- Mykroz, Zaroxolyn (metolazone)
- Demadex (torsemide)
Beta-Blockers
With the lowering of the effect of adrenaline in the body, it also reduces the heart rate & blood flow which adversely affects the erection or makes it difficult to get an erection. Some of the related medicines are:-
- Coreg (carvedilol)
- Lopressor, Toprol XL (metoprolol)
- Tenormin (atenolol)
- Inderal LA (propranolol)
ED Medicines That Are Safe With High Blood Pressure:-
Apart from blood pressure medicines some of the well-known & branded medications that are recommended safe to use with normal high blood pressure are:-
Consult with the doctor regarding the use of these medications as they carry certain drug interactions & disease interactions.
Other treatments for erectile dysfunction are ED tablets like lubricants or Kamagra Oral Jelly, penile injection, penis pumps, best gummies for erectile dysfunction & best testosterone booster for erectile dysfunction can be preferred only after consultation with the urologist.
The Bottom Line
People with erectile dysfunction already have weak blood vessels which restricts the flow of blood to the penile area. Above that, if they have any type of blood pressure issues & choose to take medication to manage it, which in turn affects the blood vessels.
It all depends on our lifestyle which can neither cause any type of blood pressure issues nor any health issues. As our health depends on what we eat, so it is an important aspect for us to create a healthy lifestyle that will allow us to be free from any type of disease.