How Drugs Affect Your Sex Life

Believe it or not, but illicit drugs aren’t the only ones that can have a great impact on one's sex life. Many prescription drugs wreak havoc on the bodies sexual system. Statins and fibrates, which are used to treat high cholesterol, are a prime example. These drugs limit the availability of cholesterol, which happens to be a building block of hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone and other sex hormones. It is no doubt that these drugs interfere with the production of these hormones. There are other side effects that don’t affect sexual hormones or organs directly but may impact ones sex life just the same.

For example, statins are also known to cause rhabdomyolysis, which is a breakdown of muscle tissue. This will lead to joint pain and fatigue, which could definitely affect this aspect of one’s life. Unfortunately, many people who suffer these side effects as a result of a certain prescriptions end up taking additional medications for impotence as well, adding to the cycle of a someone who needs medications in order to perform, otherwise normal, bodily functions.

Effects Felt Long After Drug Use Is Stopped

Research has shown that men who take drugs are more likely to have performance issues in the bedroom, even years after they have stopped taking them. In one study, the sexual performance of 906 men was assessed. 550 of these men had been diagnosed with addiction to heroin, cocaine, marijuana or alcohol, but were not dependent at the time of the study. The rest of the men in the study had never taken drugs or alcohol in excess. The results showed that drug users had moderately to significantly impaired sexual performance, as opposed to those who hadn’t used drugs. Alcohol was found to have the most effect on erectile dysfunction, while heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and speedball (a combination of cocaine and heroin) users had difficulty achieving orgasm.

How to Stop Sex Related Consequences from Drug Use

While the most obvious way to avoid the physical effects of drugs is to never take them in the first place, this may be easier said than done. Many people take drugs for medical reasons and feel that there are no other options for them. For many individuals who are suffering from these conditions, less medication may be needed if they were to change their diet and lifestyle. Healthy changes in a person’s life, such as diet and exercise, will only improve the person’s life in every aspect. This includes their sex life. In the case that medication is absolutely necessary, it is always possible that it will not be needed forever, but rather just until the problem is under control. As for illicit drugs, it is obvious that one should stop taking them immediately or better yet; never use them in the first place.