A new study shows that men taking a prescription medication to shrink an enlarged prostate are more likely to deal with erectile dysfunction. In addition, the study shows erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a continuing problem even after men stop taking the drug.
The study findings
Men under the age of 42 that were taking the medication dutasteride, which is sold under the brand name Avodar, were five times more likely to have ED after taking the medication for more than 205 days.
Another drug, finasteride, which is sold under the brand name Propecia and Proscar, has the same effects, according to the study. This medication is also used to treat an enlarged prostate, but it’s also prescribed as a hair loss treatment.
“Our study shows [that] men who take finasteride or dutasteride can get persistent erectile dysfunction, in which they will not be able to have normal erections for months or years after stopping finasteride or dutasteride,” Dr. Steven Belknap, a research assistant professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago said in a statement.
ED often a side effect of medication
This isn’t the first time that research has shown a connection between prescription drugs and ED. Sexual dysfunction is an unfortunate side effect to many medications, including depression treatments and blood pressure medications.
If you’re battling ED and are taking prescription medications, be sure to discuss the possible side effects of these meds to help identify the cause of your ED.
Battling ED
While ED can be a side effect of medication it doesn’t mean your sex life is over, or that the problem will continue indefinitely. To find the right treatment, you should talk with your doctor. You may be able to adjust your current medications, or you may be able to take Viagra or Cialis to handle your ED.
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