Page 3 - Mens Urinary Health Newsletter

Evaluating Sexual Health & Function Are Your Medications
Getting You Down?
An erection occurs from stimulation formed by thoughts, images or touch Many medications can play a
which causes blood to flow to the penis. As the penis fills with blood through role in sexual function. If you
healthy blood vessels, the veins close off temporarily, resulting in an erection. are concerned about the role
When the vessels are not healthy, the blood flow decreases, causing difficulty medications may play in your
maintaining an erection. sexual life, review the list of

There are many different medical diagnoses that can play a vital role in one’s medications that can cause
sexual health. Evaluation of erectile dysfunction should include sexual, erectile dysfunction below:
medical and psychosocial history. A complete physical exam and labs should Antihypertensives:
be done in assessing why erectile dysfunction is occurring. Cardiac disease
and diabetes can also play a role and will need to be evaluated. ✓ Dieuretics
✓ Spironlactone
When evaluating patients for erectile dysfunction, treatment is not our only ✓ Clonidine
focus. The cause of your erectile dysfunction will play a vital role in achieving ✓ Methyldopa
the best outcomes. ✓ Alpha blocker
✓ Beta blocker
Treating ED Antidepressants:

The first step to managing erectile dysfunction is to address the risk factors ✓ Tricyclic
involved. Talk to your provider or cardiologist about treating any underlying ✓ MOI’s
illnesses that may be affecting your sexual health. The following are issues ✓ SSRI’s
that should be addressed: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and
hypogonadism. Antipsychotics
Anxiolytic:
You should also modify your health by smoking cessation, consulting with a
provider about a healthy diet, exercising and reducing your alcohol ✓ Benzodiazepine
consumption.
Antiandrogenic:
Next, you and your provider will ✓ H2 blocker
Did You Know? need to choose the right erectile ✓ Histamine
dysfunction therapy for you. ✓ Digoxin
Your lifestyle may play a role in
erectile dysfunction: Treatment options include: Other:

✓ Smoking ✓ Medications ✓ Alcohol
✓ Sedentary lifestyle ✓ Testosterone replacement ✓ Niacin
✓ Lifestyle changes ✓ Phenobarbital
✓ Lack of exercise
✓ Acupuncture ✓ Dilantin
✓ Stress
✓ Herbs and supplements ✓ Opiates
✓ Obesity ✓ Marriage counselor or sex
✓ Alcoholism therapy If you are taking any of these

✓ Recreational drugs Urology Northwest offers a unique medications and are
Speak with your provider to learn sexual health pathway that will help concerned about how they
about simple ways you can modify to return you to your optimal sexual may be affecting your sexual
your lifestyle to enhance your sexual health and function. Give us a call to health, consult with your
physician.
health and performance. begin discussing your questions and
concerns, 425.275.5555.