High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction
High blood pressure can contribute to erectile dysfunction by damaging blood vessels and reducing the blood flow needed to achieve and maintain an erection. Some blood pressure medications may also affect erectile function. The good news is that erectile dysfunction associated with hypertension can often be treated.
Can High Blood Pressure Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Yes. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can affect the blood vessels throughout the body—including the arteries that supply blood to the penis.
An erection depends on healthy blood vessels and adequate blood flow. Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage artery walls and contribute to narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This can make it more difficult for enough blood to reach the penis to produce and maintain a firm erection.
The American Heart Association recognizes erectile dysfunction as one of the possible effects of high blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure & ED
High blood pressure is associated with a significantly increased risk of erectile dysfunction.
Research involving more than 40,000 participants found that hypertension was associated with a higher risk of ED.
High blood pressure and erectile dysfunction also share many of the same risk factors, including:
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Cardiovascular disease
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High cholesterol
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Obesity
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Smoking
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Physical inactivity
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Increasing age
Because erections depend heavily on healthy circulation, erectile problems can sometimes be an early indication that blood vessel health should be evaluated.
Why Does High Blood Pressure Affect Erections?
To achieve an erection, blood vessels in the penis must relax and expand so blood can flow into the erectile tissue.
High blood pressure can interfere with this process.
Over time, hypertension may:
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Damage the lining of blood vessels
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Reduce the ability of arteries to expand
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Contribute to atherosclerosis
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Reduce blood flow to the penis
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Affect the smooth muscle involved in erections
The result can be difficulty getting an erection, maintaining an erection, or achieving the firmness desired for sexual activity.
Can Blood Pressure Medication Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Sometimes.
Certain medications used to treat high blood pressure have been associated with sexual side effects in some men. Older beta-blockers and some diuretics have historically been associated with erectile dysfunction more often than several other classes of blood pressure medication.
However, high blood pressure itself can also cause ED, so determining whether the condition or the medication is responsible is not always simple.
Do not stop taking blood pressure medication because of erectile dysfunction.
Talk with your healthcare provider. In some cases, a physician may be able to adjust the dosage or consider another blood pressure medication while still protecting your cardiovascular health.
Which Blood Pressure Medications May Affect Erections?
Diuretics
Some diuretics have been associated with erectile problems in certain men. They reduce excess fluid and lower blood pressure, but changes in circulation may contribute to sexual side effects in some patients.
Beta-Blockers
Some beta-blockers have also been associated with erectile dysfunction. Effects vary considerably between individual medications and individual patients.
Other blood-pressure medications may have less effect on erectile function.
Your physician can evaluate your medications, blood pressure control, cardiovascular health and ED symptoms together.
Does Lowering Blood Pressure Improve Erectile Dysfunction?
Improving cardiovascular health may help support erectile function because healthy erections depend upon healthy circulation.
Common recommendations for controlling blood pressure include:
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Regular physical activity
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Maintaining a healthy weight
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Limiting sodium
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Eating a heart-healthy diet
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Avoiding tobacco
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Limiting alcohol
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Managing diabetes and cholesterol
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Taking prescribed blood pressure medication correctly
However, controlling blood pressure does not automatically eliminate ED. Some men will still need specific erectile dysfunction treatment.
What Are the ED Treatment Options for Men With High Blood Pressure?
Treatment depends on the cause of ED, medications being used, cardiovascular health and how severe the erectile dysfunction has become.
Options may include:
Oral ED Medications
PDE5 medications such as sildenafil and tadalafil are commonly used treatments for erectile dysfunction.
However, these medications are not appropriate for everyone. In particular, ED medications in this class should not be combined with nitrate medications used for chest pain because the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
A healthcare provider should review your medications before prescribing ED treatment.
Trimix Injections
Trimix is a prescription injectable ED medication containing a combination of medications that act directly on penile tissue to help produce an erection.
Unlike oral ED medications that depend on the body's systemic pathway, Trimix acts locally in the penis. It may therefore be considered by healthcare providers for men who do not receive satisfactory results from oral medications or who require another treatment approach.
Trimix requires a prescription and medical evaluation to determine whether it is appropriate for the individual patient.
Other ED Treatments
Additional options may include:
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Vacuum erection devices
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Intraurethral medication
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Penile implants
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Treatment of underlying cardiovascular or metabolic conditions
The appropriate option depends on the individual.
Can Trimix Work When Viagra Doesn't?
For some men, yes.
Trimix works differently from oral PDE5 medications such as Viagra. It is injected directly into the erectile tissue and does not rely on exactly the same physiological pathway as oral medications.
For that reason, physicians may prescribe Trimix for men who have had an inadequate response to oral ED medications.
Results vary, and a licensed medical provider should determine whether injectable ED medication is appropriate.
High Blood Pressure, ED and Cardiovascular Health
Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease are closely connected because both can involve impaired blood-vessel function.
If erectile dysfunction appears suddenly or becomes progressively worse, particularly in someone with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or other cardiovascular risk factors, discussing it with a healthcare provider is important.
ED treatment should address both sexual function and the underlying health factors that may be contributing to the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can high blood pressure cause erectile dysfunction?
Yes. Long-term high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and reduce the blood flow required for an erection.
Can blood pressure medicine cause erectile dysfunction?
Some blood pressure medications can contribute to erectile problems in certain men. Do not stop taking medication without talking with your physician.
Will controlling my blood pressure improve ED?
Better cardiovascular health may improve erectile function in some men, although ED may still require separate treatment.
Can I take ED medication if I have high blood pressure?
Many men with controlled hypertension can use ED treatments, but medication interactions and cardiovascular health need to be considered. A healthcare professional should review your medications first.
Can Trimix be used by men with high blood pressure?
Trimix may be prescribed to some men with hypertension after medical evaluation. Your physician should review your cardiovascular history, medications and overall health before prescribing it.
Does Trimix lower blood pressure?
Trimix is injected directly into erectile tissue and primarily acts locally. However, every patient's medical history and medications should be reviewed before treatment.
What if Viagra or Cialis doesn't work?
Other ED treatments are available. Injectable medications such as Trimix are one option physicians may consider when oral medications provide inadequate results.