Does Lisinopril Cause ED Problems?
Are you taking medication for a High blood pressure problem and started facing an erection problem? Lisinopril is a blood pressure-lowering medicine prescribed as the first-choice treatment for Hypertension.
Some people feel that medications like Lisinopril may be a cause for their erection problem. But can Lisinopril cause Erectile dysfunction(ED)?
In this article, you read about Lisinopril and know whether it can cause erection problems in men using it.
About Lisinopril
Lisinopril is a medicine that helps treat high blood pressure(Hypertension). It belongs to a class of drugs known as Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Lisinopril works by reducing vasoconstrictive hormones in the body. These hormones cause constriction of the blood vessels and reduce their diameters. As a result, blood pressure rises, and the body's organs come under stress due to the high pressure of blood.
But ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril may help relax the smooth muscle cells of these blood vessels. Thus, blood circulation gets smoother, and blood pressure lowers.
A doctor may prescribe Lisinopril to treat conditions like Hypertension or heart disease. Also, they may suggest it be used when you are recovering from a heart attack. According to some research, Lisinopril also has some off-label uses. It positively prevents conditions like Diabetes, Miagra and Diabetic Retinopathy.
Side effects of Lisinopril
According to the data of the FDA, these are some common side effects reported during the use of Lisinopril.
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hypotension(Low blood pressure)
- Cough
- Syncope(Fainting or passing out)
- Hyperkalemia(High potassium levels)
If you have heart disease or heart failure, these side effects may become more prevalent while taking Lisinopril. If you suspect these symptoms, please consult a healthcare provider soon.
Lisinopril side effects: Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction is not listed among the common side effects that Lisinopril may cause.
A study in the American Journal of Hypertension looked at the effects of Lisinopril and Atenolol (Beta-blocker). The study involved 90 hypertensive men aged between 40 to 49 years.
In the first month of the therapy, the sexual activity in most of the men declined with both drugs.
Men who took Lisionpril while receiving treatment for Hypertension regained their sexual activity. But the men taking Atenolol did not show such recovery.
If we look at the ratio, only 3% of men prescribed Lisinopril for Hypertension reported Sexual dysfunction. But, 17% of men prescribed for Atenolol complained of sexual dysfunction; this study shows that both medications may cause symptoms of Ed in men in the short term. But, men taking Lisinopril have chances to regain their normal levels of sexual functioning in the long term.
In conclusion, the study suggests a person may face sexual dysfunction during its initial use. But in the long term, it may not induce such issues or may regain sexual functioning at its normal.
What to do if I have ED symptoms
Many causes may result in Erectile dysfunction in a man. And it's difficult to determine a particular cause of your erection problems.
A doctor may diagnose you with Ed if you continuously fail to attain or maintain an erection every time you have sex. If your erection problem appears occasionally, it's not a cause to worry.
While treating Ed, your healthcare provider may tell you about several Ed treatment options. These treatment options may include oral ED medications, surgical procedures, exercises, and equipment for erection.
But the most commonly prescribed Ed treatment involves Ed medications. These drugs are highly effective and help you attain an erection after an hour of their intake.
Some of the most popular Ed medications are Includes Vidalista (Generic Cialis), Suhagra(Viagra Blue), Levitra, etc.
Also, physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle with the combination of ED medication may boost your sexual response.
Summary
Lisinopril is a first-choice medicine for treating high blood pressure(Hypertension). But many people have reported having issues with erections at the start of the treatment. And it is this fact that has made this drug stand in the dock for causing ED in men.
However, According to the studies, Lisinopril may cause erection problems only in its initial use. In long-term use, a person may regain their sexual abilities over time. Also, As per studies, it does not cause erection problems or chronic Erectile Dysfunction during its long-term use.
Yet, it is essential to identify a particular reason for causing the erection problem in men. It helps determine the proper treatment and prevents the risk factor for ED.
Some FaQs
Can I use Viagra while taking Lisinopril?
Taking Ed medication like Viagra while taking Lisinopril is likely to be safe. But one exception is nitrate, as using it with a PDE5 inhibitor may cause a severe fall in blood pressure. So taking nitrates with Ed drugs is not recommended, and also, make sure to consult a doctor before you take these two drugs simultaneously.
Which BP medicines may cause Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
Erectile dysfunction may appear as a common side effect of medicines restricting or reducing blood flow. These medications include beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics, which may decrease blood pressure. Taking these drug may decrease the blood flow to the penis and leads to issues with erection. And other blood pressure-lowering drugs that may rarely cause Ed include alpha-blockers and ACE inhibitors.
Is Lisinopril safe for the heart?
Lisinopril is a first-choice medicine for high blood pressure(Hypertension) and is also prescribed for heart failure. A doctor may direct its use after a heart attack to help prevent the risk of strokes and heart attacks in future.
Does Lisinopril help with Erectile Dysfunction?
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor not used in ED; it may help treat high blood pressure. However, several hypertension medicines may cause erection problems or worsen ED symptoms. So, it is less likely to help in erectile dysfunction unless the cause of Ed is high blood pressure. In such cases, Lisinopril may be able to assist in the condition.
Can Lisinopril lower testosterone in men?
The use of Lisinopril may decrease plasma-free testosterone in males with Hypertension. But it may increase sex hormone-binding globulin(SHBG) in female hypertensive patients.
