Advances in medical treatment have greatly improved the health of many people, but can drug reactions have an adverse impact on penile health? The fact is that every drug has the potential to cause side effects, and sometimes those reactions can impact a man’s penis in one way or another. The risk of side effects can vary greatly from drug to drug, as well as from man to man, so the possibility of a virility-related side effect in and of itself does not mean a man should avoid a prescription drug; however, to maintain an adequate level of penile care, men need to be aware of whether a particular drug has the potential to affect their organ. That knowledge will enable a man to make better and more informed decisions regarding his health.
Side effects
The following is a list of side effects that can have an impact on penile health; While there are more possible side effects, this list provides a good overview of what to look out for.
1) Erectile dysfunction. Let’s be honest: this is the side effect most men worry about, and why not? Men like sex and don’t want anything to interfere with one of their favorite pastimes. There are quite a few medications that can possibly contribute to erectile dysfunction in the form of weaker erections, shorter lasting erections, or outright impotence. Once again, however, it is important to remember that this is only a possible side effect: the actual incidence may be very low.
Classes of medications that are associated with possible erectile dysfunction include blood pressure medications, antihistamines, and antidepressants. When it comes to blood pressure treatments, some “subgroups” are more likely to cause erectile dysfunction than others; these include diuretics and beta blockers. Far less associated with erection problems are ACE inhibitors, alpha blockers, calcium channel blockers, and ARBs.
2) Urinary incontinence. This is another concerning side effect: not having proper bladder control is not only inconvenient, but can also be quite embarrassing. Medications that can cause urinary incontinence include diuretics, antihistamines, sedatives, and antidepressants. Also on the list are two classes of high blood pressure medications, calcium channel blockers and alpha blockers.
3) Skin problems. Skin reactions are a potential side effect of almost any drug, although even for drugs that are considered most likely to cause these reactions, the incidence rate is typically no more than 5%. It’s also worth noting that most often these skin reactions occur on parts of the body other than the penis. The classes of drugs with the highest incidence of skin reactions are certain anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and antiepileptics.
4) Priapism. A persistent and painful erection that lasts for four hours or more is considered priapism. Although the concept of a “long-lasting” erection is attractive, in practice priapism can cause serious damage to the organ. Classes of medications that can have priapic side effects include antidepressants, antipsychotics, blood thinners, and hormones. The FDA recently issued an advisory that some ADHD treatments containing methylphenidate have been associated with cases of priapism.
5) Curvature of the penis. Penile curvature is a fairly rare side effect, but it has been reported in some beta-blocker users. At least one study associates it as a possible side effect of a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Managing mediation reactions is part of a proper penile health routine. It is important to note that many common dermatological skin problems, including some caused by drug reactions, can be alleviated by applying a top-notch penile vitamin cream. (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). A good cream for this purpose will include a couple of essential moisturizers, such as shea butter and vitamin E; these can play an important role in keeping the skin properly hydrated. In addition, the right cream will also include a powerful antioxidant such as alpha lipoic acid, to offset harmful oxidative processes and prevent wrinkling problems on the skin of the penis.