Lisinopril And Erectile Dysfunction: Everything You Need To Know

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on July 19, 2022

Did you know that approximately 23% of Canadian adults have high blood pressure? Those statistics only calculate for Canadians that have received an official diagnosis. It is likely that there are several others who have this silent cardiovascular disorder. 

Erection problems are a key sign there could be an underlying disorder. But if you have hesitancies over starting medications like lisinopril and erectile dysfunction problems, you will want to continue reading on. 

Many people mistake lisinopril as a cause of their erection difficulties. At UPGUYS, we have compiled a complete guide that goes over lisinopril and erectile dysfunction interactions and how you can address both conditions. 

In this article, we talk about the following:

• What is erectile dysfunction?
• How is erectile dysfunction treated?
• What is lisinopril?
• How is lisinopril used?
• Lisinopril side effects
• Is lisinopril more effective than other medications?
• Lisinopril and erectile dysfunction
• How are lisinopril and erectile dysfunction treated?
• Can lisinopril improve erection quality?
• Should you stop taking lisinopril?
• Prevent erectile dysfunction risks while taking lisinopril
• Does alcohol affect lisinopril?
• What to take with lisinopril and PDE5 inhibitors
• How to find information on lisinopril and erectile dysfunction
• Finding help for your erectile dysfunction symptoms

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a male sexual dysfunction. It is characterized by an inability to achieve or maintain an erection for penetrative sex.

Occasional erection difficulties are normal, and no cause for concern. When it starts becoming a more frequent occurrence, such as around 50% of the time, you should call on a medical professional for some advice. 

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction? The answer could be multi-causal, but there are two primary correlations: physical and mental. Stress or anxiety are often many of the causes of poor erection quality in younger males. 

This article is written for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided in the articles cannot and should not replace advice from a healthcare professional. Talk to your healthcare provider about any physical or mental health concerns or the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.

However, if you suddenly have difficulties with erections, you should follow up with a medical provider since there could be underlying physical concerns. Common medical conditions associated with erectile dysfunction are:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Obesity 
• Diabetes

Finding out what is causing your bedroom difficulties can dictate what course of treatment will work best for you. Sometimes, there are other factors that contribute to erection problems. These include medications, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption. 

How Is Erectile Dysfunction Treated?

If you have difficulties with erections, your doctor will likely suggest lifestyle changes. These may include changes to help you lose weight or eat healthier. Front-line treatments also include medications (more on that below). 

There are two primary types of medications: as-needed and daily. Depending on your symptoms, there are some medications that remain in your system for up to 36 hours and are taken as a daily pill. Other treatments are more invasive or expensive, such as:

• Penile implants (e.g., inflatable or semi-rigid)
• Penis pump
• Alternative treatments

In some cases, mindfulness or stress-reducing techniques could work. There is an additional benefit to utilizing stress-reducing techniques. They can also work at managing your high blood pressure symptoms.

Penis implants and pumps are more time-intensive and expensive. Your physician may only recommend them after you have exhausted other avenues. 

What Is Lisinopril?

Lisinopril is a prescription medication. Physicians may prescribe it for managing high blood pressure or heart failure. 

After a heart attack, it is not uncommon that a doctor may talk to you about a lisinopril prescription. Lisinopril is part of a drug classification called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE inhibitors help relax blood vessels and improve circulation. 

High blood pressure can overwork your organs. Eventually, it can lead to organ damage and increase your risk for a stroke or heart attack. 

How Is Lisinopril Used?

Lisinopril comes in an oral tablet. There are two primary brand-name drugs that contain lisinopril: Prinivil and Zestril.

In some cases, your physician may use lisinopril with other medications, depending on your condition. Although, its primary use is to vasodilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. 

Lisinopril Side Effects

One of the most common lisinopril side effects is low blood pressure. A drop in blood pressure can make you feel dizzy or light-headed. Other common side effects include:

• Headache
• Cough
• Chest pain

Like most medications, these should dissipate after a few days or weeks. Yet, there are some severe side effects you should be aware of, such as:

• Allergic reaction (e.g., difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, swelling)
• Kidney issues
• Liver failure

There is also a possibility it could react with other medications you take. These may include other blood pressure medications or supplements like potassium. 

Is Lisinopril More Effective Than Other Medications?

Lisinopril or ACE inhibitors are just one classification of anti-hypertensive medication. It is not uncommon for physicians to prescribe two or more anti-hypertensive medications for your treatment plan. Some other common medications include:

• Diuretics (e.g., thiazides, indapamide)
• Beta-blockers
• Alpha-blockers
• Calcium-channel blockers
• Vasodilators
• Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs)

How does your physician decide which one is best for you? They might look at other medical conditions or current medication use.

If you have erection difficulties, you might need a vasodilating agent. Your physician could choose a different medication for your hypertensive symptoms. 

In comparative studies, researchers looked at ARBs and ACE inhibitors. They measured outcomes regarding heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke. Between these medications, there was no statistical difference. 

Lisinopril and Erectile Dysfunction

By now, you are likely wondering, "does lisinopril cause erectile dysfunction?" The answer is a bit more convoluted than a simple yes or no. Erectile dysfunction or erection problems is not one of lisinopril's primary listed side effects. 

That does not indicate that it will never occur. Everyone reacts differently to prescription medications when they start taking them. You could notice slight changes in sexual functioning, but they should dissipate after your body adjusts. 

The concern mainly lies in the underlying diagnosis. Hypertension is one of the causes of poor erections. In general, hypertension can constrict blood vessels and reduce adequate blood flow to penile arteries. 

As it becomes more difficult to achieve an erection, you may also experience more bedroom stress. If you continue having erection problems while on lisinopril, it can be easy to associate the two. Yet, you may simply need a dosage adjustment. 

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How Are Lisinopril and Erectile Dysfunction Treated?

You might draw the conclusion that lisinopril helps erectile dysfunction based on what we talked about above. Several studies have given the impression that patients treated for hypertension have an increased risk for sexual dysfunction. Typically, these were with older medications, such as:

• Diuretics
• Beta-blockers
• Central-acting drugs

Newer drug classifications include calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers. These recent studies show that anti-hypertensive treatments are neutral or slightly benefit erectile dysfunction symptoms. The researchers also suggested the following could be useful for erectile dysfunction:

• Aerobic exercise
• Sildenafil

In this same analysis, patients took lisinopril and sildenafil simultaneously. There was a slight reduction in blood pressure but no other adverse effects. 

Can Lisinopril Improve Erection Quality? 

Lisinopril is not well-studied or used for boosting erection quality. Some of the research listed above found slight positive effects on sexual dysfunction. However, you should always discuss with your doctor if you have ongoing erection problems.

Instead, the primary classification of drugs used to enhance erections is PDE5 inhibitors. These include medications like:

• Viagra (sildenafil)
• Cialis (tadalafil)
• Levitra (vardenafil)

These medications also have a vasodilating effect. In fact, sildenafil was initially studied for its effects on high blood pressure.

It is now a widely prevalent medication that improves penile blood flow. While you may notice slight effects on erection, you should only use lisinopril as prescribed by your physician. 

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Should You Stop Taking Lisinopril?

You should never stop taking lisinopril without consulting your physician. The only exception is if you have an extreme reaction.

If you notice ongoing side effects or changes in erection quality, contact your doctor. Otherwise, lisinopril is a critical medication that can reduce the chances of more serious health effects. 

Prevent Erectile Dysfunction Risks While Taking Lisinopril

Along with managing your hypertension, there are ways you can lower your erectile dysfunction risks. First, your physician may find it beneficial to use PDE5 inhibitors and lisinopril. There are a few concerns you should be aware of, including drops in blood pressure. 

If you begin feeling extremely faint or dizzy, you may need to talk to your doctor about adjusting dosages. Along with PDE5 inhibitor medications, here are some other helpful tips to boost erection quality:

• Start exercising
• Implement healthy dieting
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Limit alcohol consumption 
• Quit smoking

Food plays a critical role in chronic diseases and sexual dysfunction. Some of the best foods that can treat current erection problems are:

• Oats
• Spinach
• Carrots
• Avocados
• Tomatoes

Flavenoids are also beneficial since they contain a myriad of health benefits. You can find flavonoids in fruits like blueberries or bananas.

The benefit of these foods is that they have several anti-inflammatory and few toxicity concerns. These qualities make them excellent options for also managing cardiovascular disease symptoms. 

Does Alcohol Affect Lisinopril?

Higher consumption of alcohol can affect lisinopril. Drinking alcohol raises blood pressure and can hinder your medication's effectiveness. Alcohol can affect or alter lisinopril's effect regarding:

• Blood pressure changes
• Mood
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headaches

It can worsen side effects or make you feel extremely faint. Increasing your alcohol consumption with PDE5 inhibitors could exacerbate these symptoms even further. 

What To Take With Lisinopril and PDE5 Inhibitors

If you have a prescription for lisinopril and PDE5 inhibitors, you may wonder what you should take with it. PDE5 inhibitors are usually as-needed medications. That means you should plan on taking it approximately 30 minutes to two hours before sexual intercourse. 

The foods (or lack thereof) play an important role in their metabolism. Taking PDE5 inhibitors without food increases how fast it metabolizes. When you combine Viagra with a high-fat meal, you may notice fewer positive effects. 

This article is written for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided in the articles cannot and should not replace advice from a healthcare professional. Talk to your healthcare provider about any physical or mental health concerns or the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.

Lisinopril is usually taken once daily. It does not have as strict of requirements as PDE5 inhibitors.

You can take lisinopril with or without food. If you miss a dose, take it as close as possible to your scheduled time. 

Otherwise, wait until your next scheduled dose. You should not double lisinopril or PDE5 inhibitors if you miss one.

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How To Find Information on Lisinopril and Erectile Dysfunction

Your primary physician is your best resource for lisinopril interactions with erectile dysfunction. Since you could respond differently to medications, it is essential that you pay close attention when you start lisinopril. If you currently deal with erection problems, you should not plan on lisinopril drastically impacting erection quality. 

Instead, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes first. These include some of the suggestions noted above, like eating healthy and exercising more regularly. If you do not notice any changes, you may need a referral to an erectile dysfunction specialist. 

They can work with you on other options to address your erection difficulties. If used appropriately and under close monitoring, you may be able to take lisinopril and a PDE5 inhibitor. 

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Finding Help for Your Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms

Lisinopril and erectile dysfunction are two loosely related terms. Most people mistake lisinopril for causing a poor erection. In reality, it is more likely that the underlying condition (high blood pressure) is limiting your erection quality. 

Luckily, there are several solutions you can talk to your physician about. In some instances, patients have combined lisinopril and PDE5 inhibitors. There are some side effects, like lightheadedness, that you need to be aware of. 

To find out if you would be a good candidate for a prescription, you must talk to a practitioner. 

Visit UPGUYS and schedule your appointment today to start the process to address ED!