Lots of medications can provoke ED

Patient who takes many medications risks a lot. He is more prone to develop erectile dysfunction. This statement was made by the experts from Kaiser Permanente. But not only bigger risk was revealed. As it turned out, even severity of ED increases in case the person has to take many medications.

The author of this research is Diana C. Londoño. The group of experts under her guidance discovered that severity of erectile dysfunction was bigger among men who took more drugs than others. The work was conducted within the frames of the California's Men's Study. There were 37,712 participants in it aged from 46 to 69. They were of different nationalities and had different background.

All their medical records were thoroughly studied. They chose the patients who took more than 3 medications. The response of the organism depended upon the amount of medicines taken.

29% of patients who participated in the study had moderate or severe ED. They looked for the link between the erectile dysfunction with the amount of medicines taken, age, higher body mass index, hypertension, smoking habit, depression, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Dr. Londoño said that they wanted to evaluate ED that depends upon the medications taken. The potential side effects of medications appear to be wider than considered before. For this reason, specialists should take this factor into account when they prescribe medical preparations to their patients.

The connection between ED and numerous medications taken were observed in different age groups as the author of investigation stated.

  • The first group of participants included patients who took up to 2 different medications. The group included 16,126 men. It was revealed that there were 15,9% men with moderate erectile dysfunction.
  • The second group of participants included patients who took 3-5 medications. The group included 10,046 men. It was revealed that there were 19.7% men with moderate erectile dysfunction.
  • The third group of participants included patients who took 6-9 medications. The group included 6,870 men. It was revealed that 25.5% of men had moderate erectile dysfunction.
  • The fourth group of participants included patients who took from 10 medications. The group included 4,670 men. It was revealed that 30.9% of men had moderate erectile dysfunction.

Intake of some medications bring to erectile dysfunction. They include:

  • Antihypertensive medications (sulphur-containing drugs thiazides, clonidine and beta blockers aimed to relieve high blood pressure);
  • Psychogenic medications, for instance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, lithium, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and other antidepressants:
  • Drugs with substances that can be in the way of testosterone production.

More than a half of all study participants (57%, in particular) took three different medications. Much depended upon the age. With bigger age the number of medical preparations grew correspondingly.

  • Let us look at the figures to see this dependence clearly.
  • 53% of all men from 50 to 59 years old took more than 3 medications.
  • 66% of all men from 60 to 70 years old took over 3 different kinds of medications.

73% of all participants who were on more than 3 medications had increased body mass index and were obese. ¼ of all men who participated in the study took from 10 medications.

Erectile dysfunction is a disorder of huge number of men throughout the world. As the previous studies revealed, about 35% of men in the age 60+ suffer from erectile dysfunction.

The causes include coronary artery disease, traumas, atherosclerosis, alcohol abuse, surgery, stress and tension, thyroid problems, depression and a range of medications.

When nitric oxide falls, it affects the erection. Nitric oxide regulates the process. The erection begins and is supported due to it.

Medical director of Quality & Clinical Analysis for Kaiser Permanente Southern California Michael Kanter pointed out the necessity to conduct treatment with regard of this fact. Health care providers should know about the potential damage and risk of erectile dysfunction.