Lisinopril is a medication that's used to treat blood pressure and heart failure. Find out whether it causes ED and what you can do to treat the condition.
Hands on, practical experience – this is our expertise
Erectile dysfunction, also referred to as ED, is a sexual performance issue that affects men of all ages worldwide.
While ED is often caused by physical or psychological issues, in some cases, it can be caused by medication.
Quick FAQs
Lisinopril is a drug that's used to manage high blood pressure and heart failure.
Most current research concludes that lisinopril does not cause erectile dysfunction. One study noted it may cause temporary decline sexual activity, but men generally recover from it.
A study by the American Journal of Hypertension concluded there was no increased incidence of side effects when taking lisinopril and ED medication. Be sure to consult with your physician before taking multiple medications.
One medication that might be of concern to some men is Lisinopril. The main reason for this concern is because it’s a blood pressure medication, which in some cases, has caused erectile dysfunction.
But it’s important to know what type of medication lisinopril is to understand whether it may cause ED.
Lisinopril is a widely prescribed medication belonging to the family of ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) inhibitors. The drug is used to manage high blood pressure and heart failure.
It functions by relaxing and widening blood vessels, thus enabling the heart to pump blood more efficiently.
One study found that once-daily lisinopril was effective in controlling blood pressure in a 24-hour period, bringing a significant reduction of LVM (left ventricular mass).
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction (ED), defined as the consistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection for sexual performance, can be a source of significant distress.
It affects millions of men worldwide and can be triggered by a variety of factors. Some physical causes of ED include:
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Smoking
Obesity
Diabetes
If physical causes are ruled out, some possible psychological causes of ED include:
Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Relationship problems
Does Lisinopril Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
The fundamental concern about Lisinopril causing ED is because some blood pressure medications decrease blood flow to the penis. As a result of the decrease of blood flow, it makes it more difficult for men to get an erection.
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But the blood pressure medications that typically cause this side effect are:
As mentioned earlier, Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. In contrast to other types of blood medications that decrease blood flow, ACE inhibitors actually increases blood flow.
One study found that when these types of blood pressure medications were used on animals, there was an improvement of erectile function.
While this research would suggest lisinopril could help men be better able to have an erection, other research shows that’s not the case.
A double-blind, randomized study found that there was no effect on sexual interest, orgasmic ability and satisfaction, or erectile function.
While most research finds no effect on sexual function caused by lisinopril, one other study concluded that the drug caused some men to experience a temporary decline in sexual activity.
Nonetheless, sexual activity generally recovered with those taking lisinopril, in comparison to those taking a different antihypertensive drug.
Does Lisinopril cause other side effects?
While ED hasn’t consistently been found to be a side effect of lisinopril, there are other side effects that can potentially happen. Some of them include:
Dizziness
Headache
Dry cough
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Managing Erectile Dysfunction
It’s important to consider what kinds of treatment may help with improving ED. Here are a few to keep in mind:
Lifestyle modifications: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol can significantly improve sexual function.
Medication review: Consulting with your healthcare provider about your medication regimen may help identify any drugs that may be contributing to ED.
ED-specific treatments: Medications such as Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), or Vardenafil (Levitra) can be used to manage ED, after discussing with your healthcare provider.
The American Journal of Hypertension examined whether taking ace inhibitors and ED medications at the same time caused any negative effects.
The results showed that the incidence of treatment-related adverse events among those taking both medications was similar to those only taking ED medication.
It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before deciding on any treatment protocol.
What medications cause ED?
There are other medications that have caused ED as a side effect. Some of them include:
Antihistamines
Antidepressants
Hormones
Muscle relaxants
Prostate cancer drugs
Additionally, substances that might cause erectile dysfunction include:
Alcohol
Marijuana
Nicotine
What should I do if I'm experiencing ED while on Lisinopril?
First, don't panic. ED can be caused by numerous factors, including stress, anxiety, other medications, or underlying health conditions. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms. They can help determine the cause and suggest the best course of action.
Takeaways
While it's understandable to question whether Lisinopril causes erectile dysfunction, current scientific evidence suggests that this medication is unlikely to be the culprit.
At best, lisinopril may cause a temporary decline in sexual activity in some men. But despite that, those taking the medication will generally recover from it.
If you're experiencing ED while taking Lisinopril, it's important to consider other potential contributing factors and consult with your healthcare provider.
Remember, ED is a manageable and treatable condition, and there are many effective strategies for overcoming it.
Our team has over a decade of experience in the sexual wellness field and are experts in sexual dysfunctions, like premature ejaculation. We help couples and individuals better understand treatment options available for different types of sexual needs and educate the public on all things related to intimacy. All of our authored content is medically reviewed for accuracy and reliability.
Sources:
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