What is causing your patient's sexual dysfunction? Uncovering a connection with hypertension and antihypertensive therapy.
Arterial hypertension is associated with structural and functional alterations of the vessel walls. Because vascular endothelium plays a central role in the control of vascular tone, endothelial dysfunction can also cause certain types of erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is also a common side effect of certain drugs, including many antihypertensive agents. Physicians should be aware of potential sexual side effects of such drugs and take appropriate steps to alleviate persistent problems. Most important, physicians need to ask patients about sexual function and discuss the possibility of erectile dysfunction caused by antihypertensive therapy. Erectile dysfunction can be effectively treated in most patients, and many treatment options are available. Sildenafil therapy has revolutionized the management of this disorder, but this agent should be used with caution in certain patients taking nitrates.
Kochar
M S
MS
Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. kochar@mcw.edu
Mazur
L I
LI
Patel
A
A
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000075202:Contraindications; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011687:Purines; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate