Prescription Drugs can Cause Sexual Dysfunction

According to recent studies, chronic conditions and prescription medications can cause one in four cases of sexual dysfunction. The many medical conditions and major classes of drugs that can negatively impact your sex life are:

Firstly high blood pressure, the condition can directly lead to sexual dysfunction, as can the medicines that are used to treat it, as these medications act by lowering the pressure inside blood vessels, thereby decreasing the strain on the heart, Fox News reported.

In men, this decreased blood flow can interfere with erections, ejaculation and sexual desire while in women, decreased sexual desire, difficulties achieving orgasm and vaginal dryness are common side effects.

Secondly, high cholesterol, statins and other drugs that are used to treat this condition often act by limiting the availability of cholesterol and as cholesterol is a vital building block of hormones, including testosterone, estrogen and other sex hormones, therefore, a reduction in them can lead to reduced production of these hormones.

Thirdly, diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, which are two big components of sexual function and like high blood pressure, the reduced blood flow that results from damaged vessels can contribute towards sexual dysfunction.

Fourthly, antidepressants for depression/anxiety act by blocking chemicals in the brain, particularly chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine and acetylcholine that relay signals between nerve cells.

It is well documented that decreased libido, diminished ability to orgasm or ejaculate, and impotence are linked with antidepressant usage.

Source-ANI