MayoClinic.com
High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms. But the impact on your sex life may be unmistakable. Although sexual activity seldom poses cardiovascular risks — such as causing a heart attack — high blood pressure can affect your overall satisfaction with sex. Both men and women face specific challenges.
Challenges for men
Over time, high blood pressure damages the lining of your blood vessels and promotes hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). This means less blood flows to your penis. For some men, the decreased blood flow makes it difficult to achieve and maintain erections.
Even a single episode of erectile dysfunction can be a source of anxiety. Fears that it will happen again might lead you to avoid sex — and erode your relationship with your sexual partner.
High blood pressure can also interfere with ejaculation and reduce sexual desire. Sometimes the medications used to treat high blood pressure have similar effects.
Challenges for women
Sexual dysfunction in women hasn't been well researched. However, current studies indicate that sexual dysfunction could be even more common in women than in men. And high blood pressure — or the medications to treat it — may only increase the risk.
High blood pressure can reduce blood flow to your vagina. For some women, this leads to a decrease in sexual desire or arousal, vaginal dryness or difficulty achieving orgasm. Like men, women can experience anxiety and relationship issues due to sexual dysfunction.
Be honest with your doctor
If you have high blood pressure, you don't have to resign yourself to loss of sexual satisfaction. Start by talking with your doctor. The more your doctor knows about you, the better he or she can treat your high blood pressure — and help you maintain a satisfying sex life. Be prepared to answer questions such as:
* What medications are you taking?
* Has your relationship with your sexual partner changed recently?
* Do you have more than one sexual partner?
* Have you been feeling depressed?
* Are you facing more stress than usual?
Consider your medications
Sexual dysfunction is a side effect of some high blood pressure medications, including diuretics and beta blockers. To reduce the risk of side effects, including sexual problems, take your medication exactly as prescribed.
If that doesn't help, ask your doctor about other options. Some high blood pressure medications — such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers — are less likely to cause sexual side effects. To help your doctor select the most appropriate medication for you, list all the other medications you're taking now — including herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Sometimes a particular combination of medications contributes to sexual problems.
If your doctor approves, you may be able to stop taking blood pressure medication temporarily to see if your sex life improves. To make sure your blood pressure remains within a safe range, you may need frequent blood pressure readings while you're not taking medication. Sometimes this can be done with a home blood pressure monitoring device.
If you're considering medication for erectile dysfunction, check with your doctor first. It's usually safe to combine the erectile dysfunction drugs sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) or tadalafil (Cialis) with high blood pressure medications. But taking these drugs with nitrates for chest pain can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Promote overall health
Staying tobacco-free, eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can reduce your blood pressure — and improve your sex life. In fact, in one study, about one-third of obese men with erectile dysfunction improved their sexual function by losing weight. Of course, a leaner body can boost your confidence and help you feel more attractive, which also bodes well for your sex life.
Set the stage for satisfying sex
Your sexual response may vary with feelings about your partner and the setting in which sex occurs. To encourage satisfying sex, initiate sex when you and your partner are feeling relaxed. Explore various ways to be physically intimate, such as massage or warm soaks in the tub. Share with each other the types of sexual activity you enjoy most. You may find that open communication is the best way to achieve sexual satisfaction.
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