Erectile dysfunction can have many causes, but one that is often overlooked is medications and their side effects on sexual function. Here are just a few prescription drugs that are known to have negative sexual side effects for men like decreased libido, erectile difficulties, ejaculation problems, priapism (prolonged erection without arousal), and painful ejaculation.

• Cardiovascular drugs like diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide and beta blockers such as Metoprolol which impact sexual desire and erections

• Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) medications like Terazosin, Tamsulosin, and Finasteride. Terazosin can contribute to low desire, difficulty with erections, ejaculation problems and pain with ejaculation. Tamsulosin is also commonly known as Flomax. Flomax has also been shown to cause retrograde ejaculation because it relaxes the smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder neck. In addition to being prescribed for BPH, Finasteride is also prescribed for male pattern hair loss which can cause impotence, decreased libido and decreased volume of ejaculate

• Lipid lowering drugs like Simvastatin can cause erectile difficulties

• Antidepressant and antipsychotic medications impact sexual desire, erections, and ejaculation and may cause painful ejaculation

• Sleep and anti-anxiety medications impact sexual desire and erections

• These medications will probably surprise you, Prilosec and Zantac which are drugs that treat acid reflux and heartburn

• Another one that might shock you is Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Aleve, Advil, Aspirin.

Drug effects on sexuality are complex and it is just one part of the picture. Side effects of medication are unique to each individual so don’t go messing around with your doses or stop taking medications without consulting with your medical provider and a local pharmacist first. If you think medications might be fiddling around with your sex life, I encourage you to have a chat with the doctor who prescribed the medication or with a doctor with specializes in sexual medicine.

**References:**

Zilbergeld, B.(1999).The New Male Sexuality. Bantam Books.

Shields, K.M., Fox, K.L., Liebrecht, C. (2018).

Health Professionals Drug Guide.

Pearson Education, Inc.

This information is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding treatment, medications/supplements, or any medical diagnoses. This information is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way to substitute the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.