Erectile dysfunction risk seen in men who take several medications

The more medications a man took, the more likely he was to experience erectile dysfunction, according to a recent study.

Erectile dysfunction may not just be a fact of aging — it may have to do with how many medications you’re taking.

The more medications a man took, the more likely he was to experience erectile dysfunction, according to a study published in the British Journal of Urology.

In fact, taking multiple medications put a man at higher risk of ED than old age.

Some medications, including beta blockers, anti-depressants and other anxiety medications have already been shown to cause sexual side effects.

A study of men from Southern California took prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter medications into account when asking them about their erectile dysfunction.

Researchers discovered that the more medications a man took, the more severe his ED was likely to be.

About 30% of men taking 10 or more medications had severe ED, compared with just 6.9% of patients who took two or fewer medications.

“We don’t recognize how much these medications do effect subtle changes in ED,” Dr. Andrew Kramer, a urologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, told MSNBC. “And even slight changes in erectile function can have an impact on a man’s sexual activity.

“It doesn’t take much for a guy to notice ED.”

Researchers are recommending that doctors talk to their patients about how many medications they’re taking before handing out prescriptions for Viagra.