Erectile Dysfunction Risk Linked To How Many Medications You Take

[Nelson Vergel]

A study found that as the number of medications men took increased, so did the prevalence of ED, the authors reported - across all age groups:


Medications taken: 0 to 2. Number of participants 16,126.
Proportion with moderate ED - 15.9%

Medications taken: 3 to 5. Number of participants 10,046.
Proportion with moderate ED - 19.7%

Medications taken: 6 to 9. Number of participants 6,870.
Proportion with moderate ED - 25.5%

Medications taken: 10 or more. Number of participants 4,670.
Proportion with moderate ED - 30.9%


The following drugs are most commonly linked to ED:

Antihypertensive drugs, such as thiazides, beta blockers, and clonidine.

Psychogenic drugs, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and lithium

57% of the men in the survey were on more than three different drugs. The older the participants, the more likely they were to be on over three medications.


Percentage of men on more than three medications according to age:

50 to 59 years - 53%
60 to 70 years - 66%


Erectile Dysfunction Risk Linked To How Many Medications Are Taken

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Drugs that can cause erectile dysfunction and Potential Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

 

[Nelson Vergel]

ED Study Summary Table of Several Medications

The attached table presents a summary of many studies done to assess the effect (positive or negative) of several medications and medication classes on erectile function. The 11th column lists the compound or class.

In general, most blood pressure medications, antidepressants, antiepileptic agents, alcohol, nicotine and others have been investigated and found to cause ED.

Source: Drugs Compromising Male Sexual Health, by Walter K.H. Krause.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

What medications cause sexual dysfunction?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Here is a full paper on the subject of the effect of medications and comorbidities on ED.

The effects of non-andrological medications on erectile dysfunction: a large single-center retrospective study - PMC

To evaluate the association among andrological diseases at the first outpatient visit and the medications taken by patients for other comorbidities, as well as the differential impact between specific medication and relative comorbidities. This is a ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov