High blood pressure can interfere with one’s ability to enjoy sex. Most blame it on the medications they take because of sexual side effects and others blame it on the condition itself. Conditions such as erectile dysfunction in men or vaginal dryness in women can be caused by several factors when it comes to high blood pressure and can cause severe intimacy issues that lead to relationship issues.You don’t have to simply “live with” the fact that these sexual problems exist because there are ways to overcome these issues. All you have to do is tell your doctor that you are having sexual problems and also provide your doctor with the entire list of medications, supplements, and herbs that you are taking. Yes, your doctor should already know what medications you’re taking if he is the one who prescribed them, but sometimes having the list in front of him without the other interferences on your chart can give him a better idea of what might be going on.
It is good to not jump and stop your medication when you believe it is your medication causing your sexual problems. Too many people attribute their sexual problems to their medications when it may not be the medication at all. High blood pressure causes the blood vessels to narrow, which can reduce the blood flow to many parts of your body including the penis and the vagina. The high blood pressure can also work alone in killing your sexual desire.
But there are many cases in which sexual problems are caused by the medications. That is why it is important you keep your doctor up-to-date on everything. Beta blockers and diuretics are especially known for causing sexual dysfunctions.
Your doctor may even suggest that you temporarily discontinue your medicine to see if there is any improvement in your sex life. Not everyone will be able to do this depending on the severity of the high blood pressure, but this process of elimination can determine if it is the medication that is causing the problems.
Don’t be embarrassed to tell your doctor about any sexual issues you have. Doctors treat patients with these problems all of the time, so it is nothing new to them. Just make sure you take all medicine as directed and follow all of your doctor’s orders regarding lifestyle changes. Also, don’t be afraid to be open with your sexual partner. Chances are they will not think bad of you because you have a medical condition or are taking medication that causes sexual problems. It is better to keep him/her informed rather than leaving them in the dark and making them feel insecure. Just explain and let them know it isn’t their fault. In the meantime, you do not have the stress of an insecure partner on your hands while trying to resolve the sexual problem issue. There are ways to overcome the challenges, so you most likely will. Just don’t give up.
Harvard Health Publications
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/high_blood_pressure_and_sex.htm
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure-and-sex/HI00091
