Statin and ED

[yogi82562000]

My Chiropractor and I got to talking about taking statins and leg pain. He then mentioned that so many men are taking viagra because of Statins reduce Testosterone and lead to ED. I told him I have the same issue but didnt think Statins were to cause. I have not taken my Zocor for a month now and started waking up with morning wood for the first time in years. Even waking during the night I have a full erection rather than a slightly engorged penis. Has anyone else ever seen anything to confirm this?
My Chiro also works as a nutritionist and is very much in natural cures.

[rlm1818]

I have heard that statins can reduce testosterone, but don't take statins so I can't verify from personal experience. Cholesterol is needed for your body to make T. Statins not only reduce cholesterol but also interfere with your bodies production of it in ways that further inhibit T production, or so I've heard.

[dtwarren1942]

I have suffered diabetes induced ED for 19 years. My endocrinologist prescribed Provostatin about 15 years ago which successfully brought my cholesterol numbers back well within the normal range. He is fully aware of my ED issues and prescribed my Viagra. However, he never mentioned the possibility it cold impact my ED.

[Anonymous2]

I have suffered diabetes induced ED for 19 years. My endocrinologist prescribed Provostatin about 15 years ago which successfully brought my cholesterol numbers back well within the normal range. He is fully aware of my ED issues and prescribed my Viagra. However, he never mentioned the possibility it cold impact my ED.

Have you thought of googling it, you can get some great answers if you search.
Good Luck

[dtwarren1942]

I have suffered diabetes induced ED for 19 years. My endocrinologist prescribed Provostatin about 15 years ago which successfully brought my cholesterol numbers back well within the normal range. He is fully aware of my ED issues and prescribed my Viagra. However, he never mentioned the possibility it cold impact my ED.

Have you thought of googling it, you can get some great answers if you search.
Good Luck

I Googled Statins and ED and came across several conflicting reports. Several did link statins with possibly lowering of testosterone which can cause ED. One, however, News Medical, reported on a study in the UK that indicated that statins might possibly help with ED. By reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, statins improve overall health and well being which could have a positive influence on ED.

My endocrinologist regularly checkes my testosterone level. Although my level is at the lower range of normal, the doc said it was acceptable considering my age.

[yogi82562000]

My Chiro was commenting mainly because my cholesterol levels are very low. The relationship between cardiovasular health and ED is well known so lowering cholesteral is important. i think it is achieiving a perfect balance though. My Uro checks my T and says it is fine for my age also. Haven't decided if the morning erections are back because of not taking the Statins. I may go back to statins and see if my ED worsens again

[Eugene]

My Chiro was commenting mainly because my cholesterol levels are very low. The relationship between cardiovasular health and ED is well known so lowering cholesteral is important. i think it is achieiving a perfect balance though. My Uro checks my T and says it is fine for my age also. Haven't decided if the morning erections are back because of not taking the Statins. I may go back to statins and see if my ED worsens again

I'm a hospital CEO. Excuse my bluntness, but you should seek advice from an Internal medicine physician, endocinologist or even a pharmacist before consulting a "chiro" for such medical opinions. I am not aware that they have adequate training to make a professional opinion on ED and drug interactions.

I take 40mg of a statin and have not heard of any concern from my Uro, IM or pharmacist regarding any related complications from taking such meds and ED. I am not saying that there are none. I am just saying that I have not heard of any such concerns. If there were, I would stick with the statins for my cardiovascular health and find other ways of dealing with my ED. One can't have sex if you are dead from a cardiac incident. LOL Best wishes for managing things for optimal health and improving your sex life!

[antelope]

According to my medical team (internist, cardiologist, and urologist):

Just as testosterone is a feedstock or raw material for the surival of prostate cancer, cholesterol is a feedstock for testosterone. If your cholesterol is TOO low, it might affect your T levels. That is the relationship between statins and ED. So says the 3 most educated people I know.

In no way does that mean that someone taking meds to lower high cholesterol should stop taking them because of ED. Having a stroke or a heart attack is never, ever a good thing under any circumstances. Rather, it means that if your cholesterol is TOO low, the doc might (should?) consider cutting back on the meds to minimize any possible side effect of ED.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Greg

[Bionic_by_AMS]

I take 40mg of a statin and have not heard of any concern from my Uro, IM or pharmacist regarding any related complications from taking such meds and ED

A little light reading for you ... "cholesterol meds (statins) lower testosterone and DHEA, causes memory loss"
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm293330.htm
http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20100416/statins_may_lower_testosterone_libido
I would never advocate not taking these meds ... but to be aware of the side-effects, and what you should do to offset these effects.

[Eugene]

I take 40mg of a statin and have not heard of any concern from my Uro, IM or pharmacist regarding any related complications from taking such meds and ED

A little light reading for you ... "cholesterol meds (statins) lower testosterone and DHEA, causes memory loss"
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm293330.htm
http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20100416/statins_may_lower_testosterone_libido
I would never advocate not taking these meds ... but to be aware of the side-effects, and what you should do to offset these effects.

Bionic, thanks for sharing that article. I think the verdict is still out on the effect of statins and ED. Even the article you referenced indicates further study is necessary based on the following comments:
"The researchers emphasize they have found a link, not a cause and effect, between statins and lower testosterone. They can't explain the link with certainty."
"It is important to note that some other studies and analyses have shown that Lipitor does not have an effect on levels of testosterone or other reproductive steroid hormones."

I will say that I am well aware of the possible effects of statins on memory and potential damage to the liver. There seems to be more evident of that. Further, there is almost always some risks and side effects to taking most any drug, even common aspirin or Tylenol. So it is wise to get as much information as possible. My point in my previous post was to get information from reliable sources.