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Newest Hypertension Drugs May Improve Sexual Function

Date:
May 2, 2001
Source:
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
Summary:
Sexual dysfunction in men with high blood pressure may be aided by the newest type of hypertension drug, according to a study in this month's American Journal of the Medical Sciences, a publication of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Sexual dysfunction in men with high blood pressure may be aided by the newest type of hypertension drug, according to a study in this month's American Journal of the Medical Sciences, a publication of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.

After 12 weeks of treatment with the drug losartan, 88 percent of hypertensive males with sexual dysfunction reported improvement in at least one area of sexuality, said Carlos Ferrario, M.D., of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFUBMC). The percentage of men reporting impotence dropped from 75.3 to 11.8.

"These results suggest a possible solution for people who've stopped taking blood pressure medicines because they interfere with sexual function," said Ferrario, director of WFUBMC's Hypertension and Vascular Disease Center. "In addition to controlling blood pressure as well or better than other medications, losartan seems to have a positive effect on sexuality."

This is the first published report of the results, which were presented orally at a satellite session of the American Heart Association's annual meeting last fall.

The study was conducted in Spain by Ferrario and colleagues at the University of Valencia School of Medicine and Hospital Marina Alta. It used a self-administered questionnaire to screen 323 men and women with hypertension for sexual dysfunction, which includes decreased libido, impotence, and poor sexual satisfaction. Sexual dysfunction was diagnosed in 82 men, a prevalence of 42 percent.

These 82 men were compared to an equal number of hypertensive men without sexual dysfunction. Both groups took 50 to 100 milligrams of losartan (sold under the brand name of Cozaar) daily for 12 weeks. They completed the questionnaire at both the beginning and end of the treatment period.

In the men with sexual dysfunction, 88 percent reported improvement in at least one area of sexual function after treatment with losartan. The number reporting overall sexual satisfaction increased from 7.3 percent to 58.5 percent. The number reporting a high frequency (at least once a week) of sexual activity improved from 40.5 percent to 62.3 percent. An improved quality of life was reported by 73.7 percent of the men with sexual dysfunction.

Similar results were reported in a small group of women treated with losartan. The sample size, however, was too small for the results to be statistically validated.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


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Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. "Newest Hypertension Drugs May Improve Sexual Function." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 May 2001. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/05/010502075559.htm>.
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. (2001, May 2). Newest Hypertension Drugs May Improve Sexual Function. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 27, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/05/010502075559.htm
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. "Newest Hypertension Drugs May Improve Sexual Function." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/05/010502075559.htm (accessed March 27, 2024).

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