High Blood Pressure and Sex: What You Need to Know

High blood pressure (Hypertension) is known as the "silent killer" because of the lack of noticeable symptoms that are usually not evident until something severe such as stroke or other organ damage has occurred.

High blood pressure also increases the chance of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and other serious conditions. Fortunately, the condition can be easily detected and controlled successfully through medication and lifestyle changes.

Although the medication in addition to lifestyle changes such as losing weight, limiting alcohol, reducing salt intake, and exercise can control high blood pressure, many complain that the medications they take affect their sex life. Yet, it may not be just the medication alone.

There are also other contributing factors such as the damage to the lining of blood vessels that high blood pressure causes. The increased blood pressure causes the blood to run with great force along your artery walls.This damage can cause decreased blood flow to certain parts of your body. The good news is that it is not common for someone with high blood pressure to have a heart attack while having sex, but the condition itself can take the enjoyment out of it. This can result in patients not taking their medication.

When on high blood pressure medication, many feel that their medicine is the only thing that is taking the enjoyment out of sexual activity. This assumption can lead to a patient stopping their medication on their own, which is dangerous. Just because the blood pressure is normal doesn't mean the medication is not needed. It is the medication and the lifestyle changes that are working hand-in-hand to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

The misconception that sexual dysfunction is the fault of the medication alone is what can lead to further health issues. Sexual problems can be the fault of high blood pressure itself because of the effects it has on the circulatory system. The other possible culprit is the damage high blood pressure can inflict on the inner lining of the arteries preventing the necessary blood flow to the penis or vagina.

For men, decreased blood flow can make it difficult to attain or sustain an erection.Another issue is that the high blood pressure and the medication can both contribute to the inability to be sexually aroused or ejaculate. These issues can cause anxiety that may constitute sexual avoidance.

For women, the same anxieties can exist causing strain on sexual relationships. Recent studies indicate that more women with high blood pressure may experience sexual dysfunction than men. The lack of blood flow to the vagina can result in vaginal dryness or the inability to have an orgasm, thus resulting in sexual avoidance.

The good news is that you don't have to suffer with the thought that you may have to live with your sexual problems for the rest of your life.Through talking with your doctor about these problems, your doctor can determine what treatments are appropriate and what can be done to get back your sex life.

Also, doing things such as taking your medications as prescribed can help, but if there is no change your doctor can prescribe you a medication with less sexual side effects.Talking with your doctor provides him with the necessary information needed to provide you with the treatment that best suits you so that you don't have to live with sexual problems longer than you need to.

Publications-http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/high_blood_pressure_and_sex.htm

http://health.yahoo.com/topic/bloodpressure/overview/article/healthwise/hw62789

http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure-and-sex/HI00091

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