5 Prescription Drugs That Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Antidepressants, antihistamines, or sleeping pills can all cause erectile dysfunction in men.

Here are five of the medications that can cause erectile dysfunction in men:

1. Benzodiazepines treat anxiety and insomnia

Benzodiazepines, a popular class of drugs used not only to treat anxiety but also to treat seizures and insomnia, can cause erectile dysfunction and thus increase anxiety. Anxiety is thought to cause erectile dysfunction, as increased stress levels are harmful to the body and lead to decreased sexual desire.

Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Librium, can help reduce men's anxiety through their pain-relieving effects, but they can also reduce sexual desire as well as the ability to maintain an erection.

Photo: health.

2. Antidepressants

Depression is another condition that can cause erectile dysfunction. Antidepressants are used to treat anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and even chronic pain. One of the main types of antidepressants, also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is found in the drugs Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro.

About 60% of people who take SSRIs experience erectile dysfunction. It's not clear how the drugs work, but experts suspect they affect the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. All of these are linked to feelings of happiness.

3. Beta blockers for high blood pressure

High blood pressure damages blood vessels, including those in the penis, causing erectile dysfunction. Beta blockers, one of the most common medications prescribed for people with high blood pressure, can also cause erectile dysfunction. Drugs in this category include Sectral, Lopressor, Cogard, and Tenormin.

Like antidepressants, these drugs can affect neurotransmitters in the brain, especially epinephrine (adrenaline). In extreme cases, they counteract the stimulant effects of the molecule, reducing a person's interest in sex. Some evidence suggests that beta blockers also disrupt the areas of the nervous system that allow men to have an erection.

4. Antihistamines

Millions of men suffer from this allergy, but some of these popular drugs, such as Benadryl and Dramamine, can also cause erectile dysfunction. It is not clear how these drugs work, but the list of side effects suggests that they can change the way a man’s nervous system responds to stimulation around the penis. This seems to be temporary, with men gradually regaining sensation after stopping use.

5. H2 blockers treat stomach problems

The list includes popular heartburn medications Zantac and Pepcid. They are used to treat digestive disorders such as stomach ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Most of this class of drugs cause erectile dysfunction at high doses, and Tagamet (cimetidine) is the one most likely to cause problems for men. Along with erectile dysfunction and decreased libido, they can also lower a man's sperm count.

Although these medications may seem to affect sex life, taking them is important to treating the condition. Additionally, by talking to your doctor about changing your treatment, reducing your dose, or using supplements, anyone taking these medications can have a healthy sex life again.

According to VnExpress