Q: I’ve been on both Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide for about a year now. I’ve noticed that I can not maintain an erection because of the medications, is there anything I could change to have a better sex life again?
A: You need to talk to your doctor. The blood pressure medicines you take don’t
usually cause problems with having sex. Your doctor may find another cause for
your sexual problems such as diabetes. Also, your doctor may feel a prescription
medicine to help you maintain an erection is appropriate.
Further Reading:
How Can High Blood Pressure Affect Your Sex Drive?
High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
My husband is on Cozaar and having the same problem. Is the medication to blame?
no, the person has to consnet to having their blood tested, it is unethical and illegal to do it without consnet. If the person does not consnet then the doctor (wel where I work) gets tested and has the choice to start taking AZT, then will follow up with periodic hiv and hepatitis testing for several months
Wow. This has to be among the worst answers the good doctor has ever provided. The internet is replete with patient complaints and other documentation that establishes the connection between diuretics and negative impacts on sexual function. Diuretics reduce fluid volume, including blood volume, and thereby reduce blood pressure. What does less blood volume suggest to you when it comes to getting and maintaining an erection?
Here is an exact quote from Mayoclinc.com:
“High blood pressure medications that can cause sexual dysfunction as a side effect include:
■Water pills (diuretics). Diuretics can decrease forceful blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to achieve an erection. They can also deplete the body of zinc, which is necessary to make the sex hormone testosterone.
■Beta blockers. These medications can affect the nervous system reaction that causes an erection. Beta blockers can also make it difficult for the arteries in the penis to widen (dilate) to let in enough blood flow to cause an erection.”
If you have side effects, talk to your doctor about other possible medications that may have fewer side effects.”
Geez, doctor………the Mayo Clinic!!
Yes, D. Carestia is right on the button. What is this doc smoking? Where did this so-called doc go to school?
The old standard answer: “GO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND HE WILL “FIX” THE PROBLEM.” This may have worked 10 years ago, but it is outmoded. They know even less than this doc.
I am a 70 year old pharmacist with 45+ years of real life experience. Maybe you need to get someone like me to answer these questions instead of getting this kind of crap. These HP drugs do cause problems….ALL OF THEM! So you either have to be a SUPERSTUD, or get off the drugs. Lots of exercise is good. And take some raw garlic. They banned this from the monasteries because the friars were getteing too horney. Use Resperate or Zona Plus instead. Or Viagra, which may do the trick! But you may go blind in the process.
Once again, D. Carestia is RIGH ON!!!
Can the stoppage of a diuretic eventually lead to a better and healthier sex life or correct ED??
Yes stopping of Diuretic will improve sex life as well as joint pain and gout.
I have gout, high blood pressure, ED and knee join pain so bad I had a total knee replacement. I need to know the name of a doctor in my area who can help me get away from the diuretics that I beleive are caucing me all this grief. I live in area code 34293 in FL. Thanks
Maybe you should do the column!!!!!
That was not an answer. D. Carestia has it right.
No need for sarcasm, D.Carestia is correct there is a direct link between some BP medication and sexual dysfunction. I experienced this when I was using Tenoretic. My Doctor had to put me on another set of drugs when I complained and the problem did not recur.
Using the same two meds, I agree with the doctor’s answer, it seems on target.
But I absolutely agree that the beta blocker was pure disaster, and I switched doctors because of the obvious negative side effects of the beta blocker. It took much time to recover from most of its effects, and it seems there is some permanent damage from it.
What side effects are seen with beta blockers? I’m on four BP meds andI can’t tell what causes what.
Toprol XL, amlodipine, lisinopril and clonidine in case you were wondering.
As a note, I have used the “Resperate” thingy, it doesn’t work worth a flip!
I take Clonidine. Seems to cause sexual dysfunction.
I’ve read that if you are taking medication for high blood pressure you should not take fish oil pills. Is this true and if so how can one continue to take fish oil tablets and not have them to interfere with their hp medication?