Physical conditions account for the majority of erectile dysfunction cases. Chronic diseases, vascular system malfunction, damages to nervous system, surgeries and injuries are the most common causes of erectile dysfunction. But taking certain medications in connection with undergoing treatment courses for other disease may contribute to the development of impotence.
Erectile dysfunction may be caused by various factors and diagnosis erectile dysfunction includes examination of various organs and systems of the body. Therefore it’s difficult to say for sure immediately what caused impotence and influenced your ability to perform sexual activity properly.
But if you start taking medication and feel that something has changed you should inform you doctor. The doctor should give you the information about what prescribed drugs have been noticed to produce side effects related to erectile dysfunction and what are considered save. Do not just stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor. The cause of erectile dysfunction may not be the medication itself but the disease you are treated for. In any case the doctor will either cancel the treatment course or prescribe you other drugs.
Common medications that cause erectile dysfunction include:
- Antidepressants (are taken to cure depression and stress)
- Antipsychotics (used for psychological illness treatment)
- Antihypertensives (to treat high blood pressure)
- Antiulcer drugs (many drugs used for cancer treatment produce side effects and may cause impotence. For example, cimetidinetagamet)
- Medications used to treat prostate cancer (these include goserelin (Zoladex), leuprolide (Lupron), and others)
- Medications prescribed to treat enlargement of the prostate (finasteride (Proscar), dutasteride (Avodart), etc.)
- Drugs to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood
During
erectile dysfunction treatment your doctor should eliminate the medications that affect your ability to get erection adversely. Alternatives to the described medications that do not produce side effect should be prescribed. But do not change the treatment course without a consultation with your doctor!
Besides, erectile dysfunction can be caused by the prolonged intake of other substances. Alcohol and drugs are known to produce serious effects on your potency and are very likely to cause erectile dysfunction.
