High blood pressure (hypertension)

View the Health Heart Book

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

continued:

High blood pressure and sex: Overcome the challenges

Erectile dysfunction drugs and high blood pressure

Men considering medication for erectile dysfunction, should check with their doctor first. It's usually safe to combine the erectile dysfunction drugs sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) with high blood pressure medications.

Taking these drugs with nitrates, taken either regularly for chest pain or in an emergency setting, can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Be honest with your doctor

If you have high blood pressure, you usually don't have to live with a loss of sexual satisfaction. Start by talking with your doctor. The more your doctor knows about you, the better he or she can treat your high blood pressure — and help you maintain a satisfying sex life. Be prepared to answer questions such as:

  • What medications are you taking?
  • Has your relationship with your sexual partner changed recently?
  • Have you been feeling depressed?
  • Are you facing more stress than usual?

Promote overall health

By making healthy lifestyle choices, you can lower your blood pressure and potentially improve your sex life. Healthy lifestyle choices include:

  • Not smoking or using tobacco
  • Eating healthy foods
  • Reducing the amount of salt in your diet
  • Losing extra pounds
  • Exercising regularly

Of course, a leaner body can boost your confidence and help you feel more attractive, which could also improve your sex life.

Set the stage for satisfying sex

Your sexual response may vary with feelings about your partner and the setting in which sex occurs. To encourage satisfying sex, initiate sex when you and your partner are feeling relaxed. Explore various ways to be physically intimate, such as massage or warm soaks in the tub. Share with each other the types of sexual activity you enjoy most. You may find that open communication is the best way to achieve sexual satisfaction.

Previous page
(2 of 2)
References
  1. Manolis A, et al. Sexual dysfunction: The 'prima ballerina' of hypertension-related quality-of-life complications. Journal of Hypertension. 2008;26:2074.
  2. Doumas M, et al. Female sexual dysfunction in essential hypertension: A common problem being uncovered. Journal of Hypertension. 2006;24:2387.
  3. Kostis JB, et al. Sexual dysfunction and cardiac risk. The American Journal of Cardiology. 2005;96(suppl):85.
  4. Sauer WH, et al. Sexual activity in patients with heart disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 28, 2010.
  5. Nossaman VE, et al. Nitrates and nitrites in the treatment of ischemic cardiac disease. Cardiology in Review. 2010;18:190.
HI00091 Aug. 6, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger