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During intercourse, I can’t maintain an erection. I have high blood pressure and take two different blood pressure pills. My blood pressure has been great. I am otherwise in good health and exercise regularly. Do blood pressure medications make it difficult to maintain an erection?
During intercourse, I can’t maintain an erection. I have high blood pressure and take two different blood pressure pills. My blood pressure has been great. I am otherwise in good health and exercise regularly. Do blood pressure medications make it difficult to maintain an erection?
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It is possible that one of your blood pressure drugs is making it more difficult to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction). But this is a fairly common problem, especially as you get older. Up to 20% of men ages 50 to 59 report the problem. As do 35% of men ages 70 to 75. So your blood pressure pills may not be the reason.
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2011-09-20
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Howard LeWine, M.D.
2014-09-20
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General Medical Questions
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Q: During intercourse, I can’t maintain an erection. I have high blood pressure and take two different blood pressure pills. My blood pressure has been great. I am otherwise in good health and exercise regularly. Do blood pressure medications make it difficult to maintain an erection?
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The Trusted Source
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Howard LeWine, M.D.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing, Harvard Health Publications. He is a clinical instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine has been a primary care internist and teacher of internal medicine since 1978.

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September 20, 2011
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A:

It is possible that one of your blood pressure drugs is making it more difficult to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction). But this is a fairly common problem, especially as you get older. Up to 20% of men ages 50 to 59 report the problem. As do 35% of men ages 70 to 75. So your blood pressure pills may not be the reason.

According to a study of men with mild hypertension, most blood pressure medicines do not cause erectile dysfunction. That said, there are some that seem more likely than others to affect sexual function. They include:

  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Chlorthalidone
  • Clonindine
  • Spironolactone
  • Methyldopa

If you take any of these, talk with your doctor. Maybe you could make some medication changes since your blood pressure is well controlled.

By the way, congratulations on the regular exercise! This gives you an even better chance of improving the problem.

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