One of the critical risk factors for ED ishigh cholesterol.
Therefore, it may seem reasonable to assume that taking cholesterol-lowering drugs likestatinscould potentially improve ED.
But is the relationship that straightforward?
Hailshadow / Getty Images
Hailshadow / Getty Images
High Cholesterol and ED
There is no single cause of ED.
Many factors can contribute, some of which are physical, and others of which may bepsychological.
In most people, multiple factors are involved.
From a physiological standpoint, ED can be sparked by the reduced flow of blood to thepenis.
When blood flow is impaired, getting or sustaining an erection can be difficult.
High cholesterol contributes to ED by causing the build-up offatty plaquesin the arteries that service the penis.
All these things can reduce the volume of blood needed to achieve an erection.
Having high cholesterol on its own may increase your ED but doesn’t “cause” ED.
Neither does having high cholesterol mean that you will get ED.
How Statins Work
Statins are the most common cholesterol-lowering drugs prescribed today.
Statins are most effective at lowering the “bad” form of cholesterol known aslow-density lipoprotein (LDL).
This is the punch in of cholesterol responsible for arterial plaques.
Statins are also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme that regulates the liver’s rate of producing cholesterol.
The main action of statin drugs is to reduce LDL levels.
Can Statins Help ED?
It is possible that statins can improve erectile dysfunction in some people in several different ways.
It’s a controversial claim, with some studies reporting significant reductions in plaque volumes and others not.
A 2018 study from China reported that Crestor is the statin with the highest potential for plaque reversal.
Researchers do not yet know the direct impact of plaque size reversal on ED.
Further research is needed.
Statins may also increase the nitric oxide levels in the bloodstream.
But they may contribute to improved erections in some people.
This effect was seen irrespective of age or a person’s LDL level.
Statins and Testosterone
Like all drugs, statins have side effects.
These include muscle pain, diabetes, liver toxicity, andmemory lossor confusion.
These side effects are more likely in older adults who take multiple drugs or have liver or kidney disease.
A lesser-known side effect is reducedtestosteronelevels.
Testosterone is a hormone that regulates muscle growth, bone mass, andlibido(sex drive).
It also influences erections.
However, the reduction of testosterone may not be clinically significant and therefore may not affect sexual function.
Testosterone modulates many components of erectile function, including nerves and muscles.
It also regulates sexual desire, coordinating erection with sexual intercourse timing.
Loss of libido may affect erections by dampening sexual arousal.
The evidence suggests that the average change is small and may not be clinically significant.
By contrast, the benefits of statins in people at risk of heart disease almost invariably outweigh the risks.
There are no known interactions, but this doesn’t mean that everyone on statin drugs can take them.
PDE5 inhibitors work by causing blood vessels to dilate, increasing the flow of blood to the penis.
For some people with heart disease, this action can cause adverse and potentially dangerous effects.
Summary
Statin drugs are important drugs for people who have or are at risk of heart disease.
They are only prescribed when someone has an increased risk of atherosclerosis-related heart disease.
If you take drugs such as Viagra or Cialis for ED, these should not interact with statins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
There are no interactions between Viagra and statins.
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