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Risk of erectile dysfunction is related to the amount of medication taken
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
The more medications a man takes, the higher his risk of developing erectile dysfunction (impotence), scientists from Kaiser Permanente claim in an article published in the British journal Urology International. Moreover, not only the risk of developing erectile dysfunction increases, but also the severity of the symptoms of the disease.
The study's author, Diana Londoño, and her team found that the frequency and severity of impotence in men depended on the number of medications they were taking. The study involved 37,712 adult men aged 46 to 69 years. They came from a wide range of ethnic and social groups.
The researchers collected data on drug use from pharmacy records between 2002 and 2003. They focused on adult male patients who were taking more than three medications at the same time.
29% of men surveyed reported moderate or severe erectile dysfunction. The researchers linked impotence to the number of medications taken, as well as factors such as older age, high body mass index, depression, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Even after taking into account all of these risk factors for erectile dysfunction, the association between taking multiple medications and impotence was predominant.
Dr. Londoño explained: "The clinical results of this study indicate that the evaluation of impotence should consist of an analysis of the current drugs that the patient is taking and their possible side effects. If necessary, it is necessary to resort to reducing the dosage or replacing the existing drug with another one."
The increase in the number of drugs on the medical market has led to an increase in the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in all age groups:
- Used medications: 0 to 2. Number of participants 16126. Proportion with moderate erectile dysfunction - 15.9%
- Medicines used: 3 to 5. Number of participants 10046. Proportion with moderate erectile dysfunction - 19.7%
- Medicines used: 6 to 9. Number of participants 6870. Proportion with moderate erectile dysfunction - 25.5%
- Medicines used: 10 or more. Number of participants 4670. Proportion with moderate erectile dysfunction - 30.9%
- The following medications are commonly associated with erectile dysfunction:
- Antihypertensive drugs such as thiazides, beta blockers, and clonidine.
- Psychogenic drugs such as SRRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors and lithium.
- Any drug that can inhibit testosterone synthesis.
57% of men in the survey said they were taking more than three different medications. The percentage of men taking more than three medications varied by age:
- 50 - 59 years old - 53%.
- 60 - 70 years old - 66%.
Of these, 73% were obese or had a BMI over 35. 25% of men said they were taking about ten medications. Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects a significant number of adult men worldwide. According to previous studies, about 35% of men over 60 live with impotence
Among other factors that increase the risk of developing impotence, scientists named:
- Atherosclerosis.
- Ischemic heart disease.
- Injuries.
- Consequences of surgical operations.
- Alcoholism.
- Some medications.
- Stress.
- Depression.
- Thyroid diseases.