May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z High Blood Pressure Can BP meds cause infertility?
Can BP meds cause infertility? |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: Sir, My name is Alex. I am 30 year old male. I am suffering from high blood pressure (140-90) two months back and doctor advised me to start medicine to reduce blood pressure. Also my colostrol level high. After that my weight is reduced (78 comes to 65kg now). I am take the medicine for pressure for last 2 months. Now my pressure is reduced to 130 - 86. I have two questions, 1. Do I need to continue the medicine or how long i need to continue ? 2. I am recently married and is there any problem for trying a for a baby, while take this medicine. There are a few blood pressure meds which can cause low sexual drive and/or erectile dysfunction (e.g. angiotensin receptor blockers, generic name ending w/ -sartan). Calcium channel blockers (generic name ending with –dipine) is controversial; it may cause the sperm to be “lazy” (non-motile) and will somehow affect penetration of sperm cell to an egg. However, once it is stopped, fertility can be restored. If you are currently taking Felodipine or Amlodipine (or a BP med which ends in –dipine), you may request your doctor to shift BP meds. With regards to your first question, I would say yes, you should continue with your BP meds. Your current BP medication is somewhat controlling it but a reading of 130/86 is still considered high normal. I would suggest you make a deal with your doctor. Continue losing weight (by doing regular exercise) and modifying your lifestyle (low salt diet, stop smoking if you are a smoker, low fat diet, etc) then when you will see your next doctor for your next visit and your BP is less than 120/80, you may try asking him to lower the dose of your meds. Maybe, if you can do the lifestyle and dietary modifications and your BP can be controlled with these alone, your doctor might consider stopping the BP medicine eventually. DO NOT stop the medicine you are taking right now because some of them can also cause rebound hypertension (high BP). I do hope I have answered your question and I wish you well always. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 June 2011 ) |
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