Question:
I am taking my blood pressure medication and noticed I am having difficulty getting an erection. Would Viagra work with my blood pressure pills? I don't want my blood pressure to go back up, and I don't want to stop my medication. Is there something I could take with the pressure pills to give me back my manhood?
Answer:
Many blood pressure medications may cause erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by Diabetes Mellitus or hardening of the arteries from a high cholesterol or advancing age. However, if the dysfunction is caused by the medication itself, there is a good chance you can be helped with Viagra or similar medications. If you have heart disease requiring the use of Nitrates, or if you are taking alpha blockers (Hytrin, Flomax) to treat your prostate, then the use of Viagra could cause you problems with lightheadedness due to a drop in blood pressure. If you are not taking these medications, then there is a good chance that Viagra will help you restore your manhood. Diabetics may have less success, but there is still a 50 percent success rate with Viagra. If these medications (Viagra, Levitra, Cialis) don't work for you, then a visit to the Urologist becomes necessary to make sure there are no physical problems causing erectile dysfunction.
You are correct in not discontinuing your blood pressure medication, but should consult your physician for help.
Dr Judson Eneas
Internal Medicine Specialist
Nephrologist
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