Here are Some Medications That May Cramp Your Style

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Everyone knows that medicines have side-effects. Most of them are bad, but few are worse than losing your sex-drive. Here are a few popular medications and some ideas on how to minimize the negative side-effects. Article and photo provided by AskMen.com

1- Prozac
Condition it treats: Depression

Description: Loss of desire, delayed orgasm and impotence are commonly reported among men taking Prozac and many other forms of antidepressants.

Counteractive measures: It may be frustrating that the medication treating your depression is causing you to lose interest in an activity that makes you smile, but it’s a relatively common side effect with many antidepressants. Sometimes all you need is a little bit of patience, as the sexual side effects associated with Prozac may go away after a few months. You can also try scheduling sexual activity before your daily dose of medication, or skipping a dose one day a week (but only after you talk to your doctor first). If you still get no relief, a different form of antidepressant may resolve your libido problems.

2- Zantac
Condition it treats: Peptic ulcers, acid reflux disease, hyperactivity

Description: Along with being known to cause male breast enlargement in rare numbers, Zantac can cause impotence and a lack of interest in sex.

Counteractive measures: While most ulcers can be cured by antibiotics, physicians still prescribe Zantac, or a similar drug like Pepcid or Tagamet, to treat acid reflux disease. Unfortunately, many of these alternative prescriptions have similar side effects.

Some men have had luck with adopting lifestyle modifications, which may cancel out the need for medication. Some things you can do to ease heartburn and acid reflux include not eating within three hours before bedtime, stop smoking, eat smaller portions, and lose weight.

3- Propecia
Condition it treats: Hair loss due to male pattern baldness, enlarged prostate

Description: In less than 1% of the population, Propecia has been known to cause decreased sex drive, decreased amount of ejaculate, difficult orgasms, and trouble getting and maintaining an erection.

Counteractive measures: Losing hair may be one of a man’s greatest fears, but unfortunately, treating male pattern baldness can mean choosing between a full head of hair or a sex life. If your libido is affected by Propecia, there are other hair loss treatments that may do the trick. Rogaine, a topical solution, can be used to promote hair growth, and hair transplants have also proven effective for many men. Since sexual side effects due to Propecia use are purported to be rare, many physicians advise their patients to look for an underlying psychological cause of their sexual problems before blaming the medication.
4- Zestril
Condition it treats: Hypertension and diabetes

Description: Zestril, along with other angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, doesn’t have as much of a reputation as beta blockers for harming libido, but that doesn’t nullify its potential. Those who experience a change in their sex lives may have trouble reaching orgasm, changes in ejaculation volume, impotence, and a lack of sexual desire.

Counteractive measures: Libido effects in connection with Zestril are touted as rare, so first make sure the changes in your sexual performance or desire don’t stem from psychological causes. But because many other anti-hypertensive drugs share the potential to cause problems in the bedroom, your best bet may be to simply not get high blood pressure in the first place. Exercising, eating well and avoiding nasty habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption may go a long way toward preventing or treating hypertension.