Beta-blockers are the category of drugs that are used for lowering your blood pressure and preventing any possibility of damage to your heart. These drugs might also help those who are experiencing chest pain or angina. Individuals who had heart surgery are prescribed beta-blocker drugs by their doctors. Which helps in reducing the risk of mortality. Although these drugs are extremely beneficial for heart health. There is a possibility that beta-blockers drugs lead to erectile dysfunction in males.
Beta-Blockers: Usage And Function
Beta-adrenergic blockers, also known as beta-blockers, are the agents that reduce blood pressure in individuals diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension). These agents work by inhibiting the effects of epinephrine, which is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter that controls your body’s flight or fight response. It is also known as adrenaline. Beta-blockers block the effects of adrenaline and slow down blood pressure and reduce the pressure on the heart.
Doctors may prescribe beta-blocker medicines when other medications are failing to reduce blood pressure. These can be used in combination with several other drugs for lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart damage.
Some side effects of these medications include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Cold feet or hands
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Breathing problems
Erectile Dysfunction: Causes And Symptoms
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common type of sexual disorder, which emerges when the blood vessels of the penile fail to supply adequate blood to the penile for triggering stronger erections. An erection happens when the blood vessels of the penile function optimally, sexual arousal has a vital role in triggering an erectile response. The vascular function of the penile must be active. When an individual attains arousal, the cavernous nerves of the penile begin the release of a neurotransmitter chemical, known as nitric oxide in the smooth muscle walls of the penile blood vessels. This nitric oxide thus released, conducts vasodilation in the penile shaft. Which increases the flow of blood to the penile.
Nitric Oxide
Poor supply of blood to the penile is the root cause of erection problems. But the chemical, nitric oxide enhances the blood flow to the penile, by expanding the passages of the blood vessels, which helps men in attaining and maintaining erections. Some individuals might fail to get a sexual response corresponding to stimulus. Which happens because of factors that can be either psychological or physiological.
Usually, heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes, etc. are the major contributors to sexual disorders in men. Beta-blockers can improve these health conditions. But on the other hand, these drugs might cause sexual difficulties as well.
Do Beta-blockers Lead To Erectile Dysfunction?
There are different types of beta-blockers drugs, some of which can lead to the development of erectile dysfunction. This may happen because some beta-blockers have vasoconstriction qualities. Which help in lowering the pressure in the heart, but this can hinder the blood flow to the reproductive organs. Constriction of the penile blood vessels leads to erection difficulties in men. Erection function is completely dependent on vascular system, and constriction of the vascular passages will reduce the amount of blood flow to the penile. This can make an individual face difficulty in getting or sustaining erections, which ultimately affects their sexual performance. Hence, certain types of beta-blockers can contribute to erectile dysfunction problems.
Beta-Blocker Contraindications
- Individuals with high cholesterol should not use these drugs, there are high chances that these medications can decrease the levels of good cholesterol.
- Individuals with asthma should stay away from these drugs. They might worsen their asthma symptoms.
- Diabetic individuals need to be careful of using beta-blockers. This can give rise to some health complications in them.
Beta Blocker Drugs With Other Drugs
It is necessary to inform your doctor if you are diagnosed with any health condition or if you are using any medication to treat some illness. The combination of beta blocker drugs along with some other drugs can lead to dangerous side effects.
Also, individuals experiencing difficulties with their sexual function can look for remedial solutions. A condition like erectile dysfunction can be improved with the help of ED drugs, such as Malegra. One can make use of these medications to increase the flow of blood to the penile and get an optimal sexual response. In case you are already using beta-blockers drugs then it is necessary to inform your doctor firs. Otherwise, the interaction of these drugs might produce some undesirable side effects.
Final word
Beta-blockers medications come in two types, some of them cause vasodilation while others may conduct vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction is usually the side effect of beta-blocker medications. The ability to cause constriction of the blood vessels might affect the flow of blood to the penile, thereby giving rise to impotence issues. Therefore, it is necessary to inform your doctor in case you experience erection difficulties, in response to that, they might change your medications.