In more severe cases, a penile prosthesis may be considered by the urologist after individualized assessment, weighing potential benefits and risks of each treatment.
Talk to Dr. Paulo Egydio about the most appropriate treatment for your case
Some medications may be associated with erectile dysfunction, and each situation requires individualized evaluation.
Complete the pre-analysis form and schedule your consultation with Dr. Paulo Egydio, a specialist in erectile dysfunction, for personalized guidance.
- Olanzapine side effects: impacts on men’s sexual health
- Sex and cocaine: problems associated with illicit drugs
- Trenbolone: severe side effects that can harm your health
- Alprostadil side effects: what they are and how to manage them
- Tadalafil or sildenafil: differences, effects, and risks
- Does tadalafil increase penis size? Get your answers
- Which antidepressants do and do not cause impotence?
- Which tadalafil is better: 5 mg or 20 mg?
- High blood pressure and tadalafil: risks and precautions
- Does Viagra require a prescription? Risks of self-medication
- Top 10 vitamins to support male sexual desire
Antihypertensives
Medications such as atenolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, propranolol, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, methyldopa, and spironolactone are widely used to treat hypertension.
However, several of these drugs are associated with erectile dysfunction, with risk tending to be higher among long-term users.
A study published in the Journal of Hypertension analyzed six studies with 1,578 participants to assess the impact of different antihypertensives on erectile function, including atenolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, and nebivolol.
The results indicated that bisoprolol showed the strongest association with erectile dysfunction, followed by atenolol, metoprolol, and carvedilol.
Man holding a glass of water in one hand and a yellow pill in the other.
Antiandrogens: treatment for prostate cancer
Antiandrogens are used to treat prostate cancer.
According to a master’s dissertation from UFMG on the impacts of prostate cancer therapies, radiotherapy can damage nerves and blood vessels, compromising local blood flow.
The study also indicates that sexual dysfunctions tend to be more severe when prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy are combined.
How can medications cause medication-induced erectile dysfunction?
Not only medications affect the body—everything ingested throughout the day triggers bodily responses. Diet and beverages directly influence hormone release, blood pressure, and how blood and oxygen circulate.
In other words, eating habits shape how the body functions and overall health. The difference is that medications act more specifically and intensely in certain systems, often with direct and immediate effects.
Nervous system
Changes in the nervous system are often related to antidepressants, which modify neurotransmitters and can positively influence biochemical reactions linked to emotions.
However, these changes may be accompanied by reduced libido and sexual interest, as they alter hormonal balance previously stable in the body.
Cardiovascular system
Proper cardiovascular function is essential for erections, as the penis needs sufficient blood to become erect.
Conditions such as hypertension impair circulation, and cardiologists usually prescribe antihypertensives to stabilize blood pressure.
However, these medications may interfere with erections by reducing the force and velocity of blood flow.
With this reduction, the penis may have more difficulty becoming firm. For this reason, some antihypertensives are associated with erectile dysfunction.
How to manage erectile dysfunction caused by medication use?
First, it is essential to undergo evaluation by a specialist physician to ensure the diagnosis is accurate.
The urologist is the appropriate professional to assess the causes of erectile dysfunction and propose therapeutic options tailored to the clinical picture.
When erectile dysfunction is related to medications, the physician may consider adjusting the dose or switching to an alternative active substance with less impact on sexual function.
In more severe cases, a penile prosthesis may be considered by the urologist after individualized assessment, weighing potential benefits and risks of each treatment.
Talk to Dr. Paulo Egydio about the most appropriate treatment for your case
Some medications may be associated with erectile dysfunction, and each situation requires individualized evaluation.
Complete the pre-analysis form and schedule your consultation with Dr. Paulo Egydio, a specialist in erectile dysfunction, for personalized guidance.
- Olanzapine side effects: impacts on men’s sexual health
- Sex and cocaine: problems associated with illicit drugs
- Trenbolone: severe side effects that can harm your health
- Alprostadil side effects: what they are and how to manage them
- Tadalafil or sildenafil: differences, effects, and risks
- Does tadalafil increase penis size? Get your answers
- Which antidepressants do and do not cause impotence?
- Which tadalafil is better: 5 mg or 20 mg?
- High blood pressure and tadalafil: risks and precautions
- Does Viagra require a prescription? Risks of self-medication
- Top 10 vitamins to support male sexual desire
Some medications used to treat high blood pressure or depression may be associated with medication-induced erectile dysfunction.
Medication-induced erectile dysfunction occurs when certain drugs interfere with the ability to achieve or maintain an erection. This difficulty may result from hormonal imbalance or reduced blood flow to the penis.
Erectile dysfunction can also be a direct consequence of conditions that affect the nerves, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Learn more below.
Which medications can cause erectile dysfunction?
Medications used for anxiety, such as diazepam, are among the drugs that may be linked to erectile dysfunction.
Diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, as well as drugs indicated for enlarged prostate or cancers in the pelvic region, may also affect erectile function.
Below, understand how certain medications may impact men’s sexual health.
Anxiolytics, Antidepressants, and Antipsychotics
Anxiolytics are used to treat anxiety. Clonazepam, the active ingredient in Rivotril, is one of the best known in this group.
According to research on medication-related sexual dysfunction, clonazepam has been associated with impotence, with rates above 42% compared to other drugs in the class.
Antidepressants such as fluoxetine and antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine can also affect sexual function.
Why can these medications cause sexual side effects?
A study on the risk of erectile dysfunction with anxiolytics explains that clonazepam’s sedative action slows the nervous system, reducing sexual desire and making erections more difficult.
Regarding fluoxetine, research on antidepressant-induced erectile dysfunction reports this effect as common, as fluoxetine acts on brain areas involved in sexual interest and response.
Finally, an article on sexual dysfunction with antipsychotics, published by Cambridge University Press, evaluated 101 patients, most with schizophrenia; chlorpromazine was among the drugs cited.
According to the authors, elevated prolactin levels—often associated with antipsychotics—may reduce libido and hinder erections.
Antihypertensives
Medications such as atenolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, propranolol, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, methyldopa, and spironolactone are widely used to treat hypertension.
However, several of these drugs are associated with erectile dysfunction, with risk tending to be higher among long-term users.
A study published in the Journal of Hypertension analyzed six studies with 1,578 participants to assess the impact of different antihypertensives on erectile function, including atenolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, and nebivolol.
The results indicated that bisoprolol showed the strongest association with erectile dysfunction, followed by atenolol, metoprolol, and carvedilol.
Man holding a glass of water in one hand and a yellow pill in the other.
Antiandrogens: treatment for prostate cancer
Antiandrogens are used to treat prostate cancer.
According to a master’s dissertation from UFMG on the impacts of prostate cancer therapies, radiotherapy can damage nerves and blood vessels, compromising local blood flow.
The study also indicates that sexual dysfunctions tend to be more severe when prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy are combined.
How can medications cause medication-induced erectile dysfunction?
Not only medications affect the body—everything ingested throughout the day triggers bodily responses. Diet and beverages directly influence hormone release, blood pressure, and how blood and oxygen circulate.
In other words, eating habits shape how the body functions and overall health. The difference is that medications act more specifically and intensely in certain systems, often with direct and immediate effects.
Nervous system
Changes in the nervous system are often related to antidepressants, which modify neurotransmitters and can positively influence biochemical reactions linked to emotions.
However, these changes may be accompanied by reduced libido and sexual interest, as they alter hormonal balance previously stable in the body.
Cardiovascular system
Proper cardiovascular function is essential for erections, as the penis needs sufficient blood to become erect.
Conditions such as hypertension impair circulation, and cardiologists usually prescribe antihypertensives to stabilize blood pressure.
However, these medications may interfere with erections by reducing the force and velocity of blood flow.
With this reduction, the penis may have more difficulty becoming firm. For this reason, some antihypertensives are associated with erectile dysfunction.
How to manage erectile dysfunction caused by medication use?
First, it is essential to undergo evaluation by a specialist physician to ensure the diagnosis is accurate.
The urologist is the appropriate professional to assess the causes of erectile dysfunction and propose therapeutic options tailored to the clinical picture.
When erectile dysfunction is related to medications, the physician may consider adjusting the dose or switching to an alternative active substance with less impact on sexual function.
In more severe cases, a penile prosthesis may be considered by the urologist after individualized assessment, weighing potential benefits and risks of each treatment.
Talk to Dr. Paulo Egydio about the most appropriate treatment for your case
Some medications may be associated with erectile dysfunction, and each situation requires individualized evaluation.
Complete the pre-analysis form and schedule your consultation with Dr. Paulo Egydio, a specialist in erectile dysfunction, for personalized guidance.
- Olanzapine side effects: impacts on men’s sexual health
- Sex and cocaine: problems associated with illicit drugs
- Trenbolone: severe side effects that can harm your health
- Alprostadil side effects: what they are and how to manage them
- Tadalafil or sildenafil: differences, effects, and risks
- Does tadalafil increase penis size? Get your answers
- Which antidepressants do and do not cause impotence?
- Which tadalafil is better: 5 mg or 20 mg?
- High blood pressure and tadalafil: risks and precautions
- Does Viagra require a prescription? Risks of self-medication
- Top 10 vitamins to support male sexual desire
