Six classes of drugs affect sexual function

　　For male erectile dysfunction, there is an important cause of “lurking” in people’s lives, but it is often ignored or even forgotten by people, it is drugs. What drugs can cause erectile dysfunction?
　　 Cardiovascular drugs Antihypertensive drugs cause the most cases of erectile dysfunction. Now it is generally believed that among antihypertensive drugs, the main diuretics and β-blockers that often cause erectile dysfunction. Diuretics commonly used in the treatment of hypertension, one is thiazide diuretics, mainly hydrochlorothiazide; the other is spironolactone tablets, which have anti-androgen effects, inhibit the synthesis of androgen, and cause male libido loss, breast development and Erectile dysfunction. In addition, in addition to high blood pressure drugs, anti-arrhythmic drug amiodarone, anti-heart failure drug digoxin, etc. can also cause male erectile dysfunction.
　　Gastrointestinal drugs Cimetidine, ranitidine, and nizatidine are widely used gastrointestinal drugs, mainly for the treatment of peptic ulcer. More and more case reports indicate that they can cause sexual dysfunction. For example, men who take cimetidine for a long time may experience erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, and breast development.
　　 Antidepressant drugs Among the commonly used antidepressant drugs, imipramine, amitriptyline, clomipramine, new selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, etc. can cause erectile dysfunction, abnormal ejaculation and libido lack etc.
　　 Psychostimulants and narcotics The most common are alcohol (ethanol), nicotine, cocaine, etc. People often have doubts about the effect of alcohol on erectile function, “Isn’t it easier to be sexually excited after drinking alcohol?” Here, people ignore the difference between sexual desire and erection. Alcohol can increase sexual desire, but it will affect erectile function and reduce the hardness of penile erection.
　　 Antitumor Drugs It is well known that anticancer drugs can cause damage to normal tissues including gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidney while destroying cancer cells. However, the damage of antitumor drugs to gonads is easily overlooked by people. Among them, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, cytarabine and other drugs can cause erectile dysfunction or sperm deficiency in men.
　　 Drugs that treat prostate disease and drugs that treat BPH, such as 5α-reductase inhibitors, can also cause erectile dysfunction and decreased ejaculate volume. In addition, commonly used drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer, such as anti-androgen drugs, can affect libido, erection, ejaculation, etc. by affecting the secretion of androgen.
　　 The effects of drugs on sexual function are generally transient, that is to say, they will be affected during the use of drugs or within a short period of time after use, and will gradually recover afterwards, so you don’t have to worry too much. However, if the drug is taken long-term, the effects may be relatively long-lasting.
　　In short, if sexual dysfunction occurs, you can first look for clues from the drugs you usually take.