How High Blood Pressure Leads to Erectile Dysfunction

High blood pressure keeps the arteries that carry blood into the penis from dilating the way they're supposed to. It also makes the smooth muscle in the penis lose its ability to relax. As a result, not enough blood flows into the penis to make it erect. Men with high blood pressure may also have a low testosterone level. Testosterone is the male hormone that plays a big role in sexual arousal.

High blood pressure by itself can lead to erectile dysfunction. But some drugs for treating high blood pressure can actually be the cause as well. Diuretics may cause erectile dysfunction by decreasing the force of blood flow into the penis. They may also decrease the amount of zinc in the body, which is needed to make testosterone. Beta-blockers dampen nerve impulses that lead to an erection. They also make it more difficult for the arteries in the penis to widen and let in blood. What's more, they can make you feel sedated and depressed -- and the mind always plays some part in sexual arousal.

A doctor's first choice for treating erection problems is usually one of the pills called PDE5 inhibitors - Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. All three drugs work in similar ways - they don't increase sexual desire, they make it physically possible to get an erection when you are aroused.

Men whose blood pressure isn't under control and those who take alpha-blockers (for high blood pressure or prostate problems) shouldn't take Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra.