Are prescriptions drugs hurting your sex life?

You might not realize it, but many prescription drugs put a damper on your libido or can cause erectile dysfunction. Of course your doctor is not at fault. But in his effort to keeping you healthy he might be indirectly killing your sex life!

It is important to understand that you should never stop any medication that your doctor prescribes. If these drugs are acting like a cold shower on your sex life, I have a few alternatives that might help you.

First, let’s take a look at the prescriptions that have the worst affect on your libido.

Many prescription drugs affect your circulation. This is especially true of the blood pressure medications Norvasc, Vasotec, and Lopressor. The ability to achieve and maintain an erection depends on blood flow to the penis. It’s no surprise that when you chemically alter your circulation, it can cause problems. All of these drugs can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Other prescriptions affect your brain chemistry. This is especially true of the antidepressant drugs, Zoloft, Prozac, and Buspar. These drugs can be a real problem when it comes to your sex life.

If you find yourself in a situation where your health depends on one of these prescriptions, don’t give your love life up as lost. Instead, consider trying a libido-enhancing herbal remedy. They are much safer than Viagra and they can be very effective.

Get Your Sex Life Back on Track

For men, there are many good supplements that can help to correct sexual problems at the source. These supplements usually either improve your circulation or help to bring your testosterone levels into a proper balance.

Yohimbine: This African herb has a long history of treating sexual dysfunction. It comes from the bark of an evergreen tree. The bark contains an alkaloid that helps to increase blood flow to the penis. In one study, 71% of men taking yohimbine for eight weeks reported better sexual function.¹ For good results, try taking 150 mg of yohimbine each day.

DIM (diindolylmethane): This plant indole, a compound found in all cruciferous vegetables provides the correct nutrients for eliminating the active estrogen from your body. With this estrogen buster, your body will convert active estrogen into the “good” estrogen metabolites. Your body then easily removes them. This lower estrogen allows testosterone to have a more powerful sex-enhancing effect.

L-dopa: Utilizing the compound called levadop (L-dopa), your body will easily convert this nutrient into dopamine which will help inhibit the production of prolactin from the pituitary gland. This will help increase your testosterone levels and improve sexual activity.

L-Arginine: Your penile blood flow is constantly under control by hormones, nerves, and neurotransmitters. And the major bio-chemicals that regulate arterial smooth muscle relaxation and dilation are nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP (guanosine monophosphate).

Research shows that one of the most effective ways to boost blood flow is by increasing the blood’s natural nitrous oxide.² Oral administration of high-dose L-arginine can significantly improve sexual function in men. L-Arginine will also stop the breakdown of cGMP, allowing the muscles in your penis to relax.

One More Thing That Can Help

In addition to supplements, I highly recommend beginning a Kegel regimen if you don’t practice one already. Kegel exercises work the pelvic floor muscles and can be very effective at restoring erectile function. Just flex the muscles you would use to cut off the flow of urine. Hold them tense for five to ten seconds and then relax. Try doing three sets of ten each day and see if you don’t notice a difference.

Stay well.

References

1. Vogt H, et al. Int J Impot Res. 1997; 9: 151-61.
2. Chen J, et al. FJU Intern. 1999:83:269-273.

[Ed. Note: Mark Rosenberg, M.D. is director of the "Institute for Anti-Aging" in South Florida. He is a highly sought-after speaker for lectures on topics such as integrative cancer therapy and anti-aging medicine. Dr. Rosenberg is avidly involved in supplement research and is nutritional consultant for Vitalmax Vitamins. To learn more, click here.]