What Blood Pressure Medication Does Not Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Like any other medicine, blood pressure medications can have side effects. Some of these aftereffects are quite serious and can cause problems with your big guy.

Luckily, there are a few ones that are safe for your manhood and won't make it hard for you to “get hard”.

In this article, we'll answer your question: “What blood pressure medication does not cause erectile dysfunction?”

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How to Control Blood Pressure without Affecting Your Sex Life

Does High Blood Pressure Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure or hypertension doesn't usually indicate any signs or symptoms. However, its effect on your sexual activity may be evident.

This is because there's a strong link between high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Hypertension gradually damages the walls of your arteries. This causes your blood vessels to become narrow and less flexible, a condition called atherosclerosis.

When this happens, your blood wouldn't be able to flow effectively and reach your penis. This can make it hard for you to get and keep erections. Your ejaculation, sexual desire, and overall sexual satisfaction may also be affected.

Thankfully, there are blood pressure medications available that don't aggravate this situation and don't lead to sexual dysfunction.

What Blood Pressure Medication Does Not Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

1. Alpha Blockers

Generally, alpha-blockers don't affect your sexual desire and ejaculatory function. They're not linked with erectile problems. In fact, a study shows that alpha-blockers can even provide an improvement on your sexual or erectile function.

This drug primarily works by blocking the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline. These are hormones that are responsible for your fight or flight response. They tighten the muscles of your arteries and veins. In effect, the space where your blood flows narrows, raising your blood pressure.

Alpha-blockers allow your arteries and veins to stay open and relaxed. This can boost your blood and oxygen circulation, reduce your blood pressure, and prevent heart disease.

What's more, alpha-blockers also loosen tight muscles in your body. This can help enhance the passing of urine, especially for older men with prostate gland enlargement.

Alpha-blockers are also known as:

• Adrenergic blocking agents
• Alpha-adrenergic blocking agents
• Alpha-adrenergic antagonists
• Alpha-blocking agents

For this drug class, your healthcare provider will normally advise any of the following medicines:

• Terazosin
• Doxazosin
• Prazosin

2. Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB)

According to a study, calcium channel blockers don't have a detrimental impact on erection, and they hardly cause sexual dysfunction.

These medications are also known as calcium antagonists. Their job is to limit the calcium that enters your heart muscle and artery walls.

Calcium triggers your heart to contract forcibly. However, when the amount of calcium is controlled, your heart's contractions aren't extra-strong. This allows your arteries to widen, preventing high blood pressure.

The class of CCB that targets arteries and hypertension is called dihydropyridines. The medicines in this category typically end in the suffix -pine, such as:

• Amlodipine
• Nifedipine
• Felodipine
• Clevidipine
• Nicardipine
• Isradipine
• Nisoldipine

3. Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

ARBs don't cause adverse effects on your erectile function. As a matter of fact, they produce beneficial effects on your sexual intercourse. They can increase the intensity of sexual activity and improve the quality of sex for men with hypertension.

Based on a study, 12 weeks of ARB treatment produced sexual satisfaction for more than half of its participants. Additionally, there are reports of enhanced orgasmic function and increased sex frequency.

As the name of this drug suggests, ARBs block the receptor of angiotensin. Angiotensin is a hormone that can affect your blood pressure.

The medications in this class are:

• Candesartan
• Losartan
• Valsartan
• Irbesartan
• Telmisartan
• Eprosartan
• Olmesartan

The good news is that you have some generic options with this drug if the price is an issue.

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4. ACE Inhibitors

ACE is short for angiotensin-converting enzymes. This medication is linked with improved sexual and erectile function.

ACE inhibitors have two main functions. They reduce sodium retention in your kidneys and block an enzyme that catalyzes the production of angiotensin. When angiotensin isn't created, your blood can flow more freely and effectively.

ACE inhibitors open up your blood vessels and promote blood circulation. This helps you in keeping your blood pressure down.

ACE inhibitors include medicines, such as:

• Quinapril
• Benazepril
• Lisinopril
• Captopril
• Enalapril
• Ramipril
• Moexipril
• Fosinopril
• Perindopril
• Trandolapril

Similar to ARBs, ACE inhibitors have a couple of generic varieties that are affordable.

What Blood Pressure Medication Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

So, you've read the good news—that there are four blood pressure medications that aren't linked with erection problems.

For the not-so-good news: There are two blood pressure drugs that are more likely to cause impaired sexual function as a side effect.

1. Diuretics

These medications are generally known as “water pills” since they increase the volume of your urine. This leads to lower blood pressure. However, these drugs may mess up on your electrolyte balances and increase your risk of developing diabetes.

Another side effect that you might not want to experience with diuretics is erectile dysfunction.

This is because taking water pills can result in poor blood circulation, making it difficult to get an erection. Additionally, they can reduce the amount of zinc in your body, which is a mineral that enables the production of testosterone. Low levels of zinc can cause erectile dysfunction.

Some medicines that you may want to avoid include:

• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorthalidone

2. Beta Blockers

Like diuretics, beta-blockers are known to increase your blood sugar and lower your testosterone.

Some examples of beta-blockers are:

• Atenolol
• Metoprolol
• Propranolol
• Carvedilol
• Bisoprolol

Watch this video by Howcast to learn about other tips to prevent erectile dysfunction:

If you're experiencing problems achieving and keeping an erection, you may want to look at your blood pressure medication.

However, continue taking your pills and avoid switching to another medicine without discussing it with your doctor first. Wait for your physician's approval or a new recommendation.

Don't lose hope. With these medications, you can manage your blood pressure and still feel ultimate pleasure.

Do you know of any other blood pressure medications that don't interfere with your sexual function? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!

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