“Drugs That Impair Sexual Ability in Men: A Review of Common Medications”

06:16 PM

Sunday 07 May 2023

the concerto

Men should see the doctor’s inquiry about the side effects of medicines or know them from the accompanying drug leaflet, because some drugs negatively affect sexual ability.

In the following report, The Consulto reviews drugs that impair sexual ability in men, according to the AARP website.

Drugs that impair sexual ability

1- statins

Despite the effectiveness of statins in lowering harmful cholesterol in the blood, they may lead to impaired sexual ability in some patients, because they interfere with the production of the male hormone “testosterone”.

A cholesterol patient who takes statins may have difficulty having sex for another reason, which is feeling joint pain and fatigue, due to a breakdown in muscle tissue.

And in a 2020 review of some studies, researchers found that men with cholesterol who took statins experienced erectile dysfunction.

In a 2009 study, both men and women with hypercholesterolemia reported an inability to reach orgasm after a period of statins.

2- Medications for high blood pressure

Some studies revealed that some high blood pressure medications may affect men with erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems, and threaten women with vaginal dryness, decreased sexual desire and difficulty in achieving orgasm.

The researchers found that the reason for the negative effects that may be caused by high blood pressure drugs, such as diuretics, beta blockers and alpha blockers, on sexual health is due to the decrease in the flow of oxygen-laden blood to the genitals.

3- Antidepressants

Some antidepressants cause sexual dysfunction by blocking the action of acetylcholine, serotonin and norepinephrine, brain chemicals responsible for sending signals between neurons.

In a previous study, ejaculatory failure was reported by more than 40% of men taking clomipramine, a popular antidepressant, sexual dysfunction by 15% and decreased libido by 18%.

4- Antipsychotics

All antipsychotic medications block the production of dopamine, a hormone responsible for regulating emotional responses, in the brain, and increase levels of the hormone prolactin, which has been linked to impotence, decreased libido, and difficulty achieving orgasm.

The exposure to these sexual problems when taking antipsychotics ranges between 45 and 90%, according to studies.

5- Benzodiazepines

Some doctors believe that the sedative and muscle relaxant properties of benzodiazepines — drugs used to treat anxiety and muscle spasms — reduce orgasms, increase pain during intimacy, and cause erectile dysfunction and problems with ejaculation.

Benzodiazepines may also interfere with testosterone production.

6- Anticonvulsants

Studies have concluded that anticonvulsants – used in the treatment of epilepsy and migraine – may reduce male hormone levels in the body, which threatens men with erectile dysfunction, and impedes the ability to reach orgasms.