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Blood thinners (anticoagulants) are medications that prevent blood clots from forming. They are commonly used to treat or prevent conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. Between 2 and 3 million people take them each year.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. A variety of factors, including certain medications, can cause ED. Some blood thinners (anticoagulants) have been reported to cause ED as a side effect, although this is not a common occurrence, and there is no evidence that a cause-and-effect relationship between blood thinners and erectile dysfunction exists.
A blood clot is a solid mass of platelet fragments and proteins that forms when blood coagulates and clumps together. Blood clots are a physiological process that helps to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is damaged. However, blood clots can also form in the absence of an injury, and if they occur in the wrong place or at the wrong time, they can be dangerous.
There are two main types of blood clots:
A variety of factors, including injury, surgery, cancer, pregnancy, and certain medications, can cause blood clots.
Blood thinners are medications that prevent unwanted blood clotting and therefore decrease the risk of blood clots. Blood thinners are typically classified as anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications. Anticoagulants target the coagulation pathway, and antiplatelet medications make it more difficult for platelets to stick together. Blood thinners don’t actually make your blood thinner; they prevent unnecessary clots from forming.
There are several types of blood thinners, including:1,2
There is no evidence that blood thinners help or hurt erectile quality. If you are taking a blood thinner and experiencing ED, talk to your doctor to see if there is another potential cause.
Like all medications, blood thinners can cause side effects. The most common side effects of blood thinners include the following:
It is important to note that the side effects of blood thinners can vary from person to person, and not everyone who takes these medications will experience side effects. If you are taking a blood thinner and experiencing any side effects, it is important to discuss them with your healthcare provider. They can help to determine the cause of the side effects and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. ED can be caused by a variety of factors, including physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors.
Physical causes of ED may include:
Psychological causes of ED may include:
Lifestyle factors that may contribute to ED include:
It is important to note that ED can have multiple causes, and it is often a combination of physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors that contribute to the condition. If you are experiencing ED, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider. They can help determine the cause of your ED and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Treatment options for ED may include:
There are many ED treatment options. While using blood thinners has not been shown to cause ED, your medication history is important when choosing an ED treatment option. An Invigor Medical treatment specialist will review your medical history and help you decide which ED treatment option would provide the most benefit with the fewest side effects.
Looking for treatment plans for sexual health? See how Invigor Medical can help today!
Disclaimer:
While we strive to always provide accurate, current, and safe advice in all of our articles and guides, it’s important to stress that they are no substitute for medical advice from a doctor or healthcare provider. You should always consult a practicing professional who can diagnose your specific case. The content we’ve included in this guide is merely meant to be informational and does not constitute medical advice.
1. Young G, Yonekawa KE, Nakagawa PA, Blain RC, Lovejoy AE, Nugent DJ. Differential effects of direct thrombin inhibitors and antithrombin-dependent anticoagulants on the dynamics of clot formation. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2007/03// 2007;18(2):97-103. doi:10.1097/mbc.0b013e3280116c4c
2. Chin-Hsiao T. Metformin and the Risk of Dementia in Type 2 Diabetes Patients. Aging Dis. Feb 2019;10(1):37-48. doi:10.14336/ad.2017.1202
3. Montorsi F, Briganti A, Salonia A, et al. Erectile Dysfunction Prevalence, Time of Onset and Association with Risk Factors in 300 Consecutive Patients with Acute Chest Pain and Angiographically Documented Coronary Artery Disease. European Urology. 2003/09/01/ 2003;44(3):360-365. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0302-2838(03)00305-1