How high blood pressure damages artery walls and affects penile blood flow

High blood pressure can indeed cause erectile dysfunction.

This is because high blood pressure damages artery walls, causing them to harden and narrow, which in turn reduces blood flow to the penis.Men with chronic high blood pressure are twice as likely to have erectile dysfunction, and the numbers could be much higher since erectile dysfunction is often underreported.

Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men with high blood pressure

Research has shown a strong link between a history of high blood pressure and sexual problems in men. About 80% of the time, erectile dysfunction has a physical cause, with the most common cause being hypertension. Men with hypertension are almost twice as likely to have impaired penile blood flow and erectile dysfunction compared to men with normal blood pressure, increasing their risk of heart disease and death.

Antihypertensive drugs and their impact on sexual function

While high blood pressure itself can lead to erectile dysfunction, some drugs for treating high blood pressure can also be the cause. Diuretics and beta-blockers are two types of antihypertensive drugs that have been linked with deterioration in sexual function. However, not all medications for high blood pressure have this effect. Erectile dysfunction medicines, such as sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), vardenafil, avanafil (Stendra), and tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis, others), are generally thought to be safe for men with high blood pressure who are otherwise in good health.

European Heart Journal study: Treating high blood pressure without causing erectile dysfunction

A study published in the European Heart Journal found that high blood pressure can be treated without causing erectile dysfunction. This study included 356 men with erectile dysfunction and no history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease who attended a clinic between 2006 and 2019. The cohort was divided into three categories according to blood pressure: normal, high-normal, and hypertension. A total of 164 (46%) patients were treated with antihypertensive drugs. The study found that blood pressure-lowering medication did not have an effect on penile blood flow.

Lifestyle changes to manage high blood pressure and improve sexual function

If your erectile dysfunction is caused by high blood pressure, then lowering your blood pressure with healthy changes to your lifestyle could be enough to improve your erections without any other treatments. Some recommended lifestyle changes include losing weight, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking. These changes can help lower your blood pressure and improve your overall sexual function.

Discussing concerns and adjusting medications with your doctor

If you have high blood pressure and are experiencing erectile dysfunction, it is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor. They may recommend lifestyle changes, as mentioned above, to help lower your blood pressure and improve your sexual function. Your doctor may also adjust your medication or prescribe a different medication that is less likely to cause erectile dysfunction. Oral medications such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn, or Stendra can boost blood flow to the penis during sexual arousal, making it possible to achieve an erection that is firm enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse.