Erection problems are common in adult men. In fact, almost
all men experience occasional difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. In
many cases, it is a temporary condition that will go away with little or no
treatment. However, in other cases, it can be an ongoing problem that can
damage a man’s self-esteem and harm his relationship with his partner. Many
factors are involved in the problem, and now, a new study has found that men
who regularly use strong pain killers are prone to have erectile dysfunction.
Researchers affiliated with the Kaiser Permanante Center for Health Research at
Oregon Health & Science University (Portland Oregon) published their
findings on May 15 in the journal Spine.
The study authors noted that men with chronic pain may experience
erectile dysfunction related to depression, smoking, age, or opioid-related
hypogonadism (narcotic-related decrease in testicular function). They explained
that the prevalence of this problem in back pain populations and the relative
importance of several risk factors are unknown. Therefore, they designed a
study that examined associations between use of medication for erectile
dysfunction or testosterone replacement and use of opioid (narcotic) therapy,
patient age, depression, and smoking status.
The researchers examined electronic pharmacy and medical
records for males with back pain in a large health maintenance organization
(HMO) during 2004. Relevant prescriptions were considered for 6 months before
and after the index visit. The investigators found 11,327 males with a
diagnosis of back pain. Males who received medications for erectile dysfunction
or testosterone replacement (909 men) were significantly older than those who
did not and had greater comorbidity (other health problems), depression,
smoking, and use of sedative-hypnotics (i.e., tranquilizers, antidepressants,
and sleeping pills). The long-term use of opioids was associated with greater
use of medications for erectile dysfunction or testosterone replacement
compared with no opioid use (1.45-fold increased risk. Age, comorbidity,
depression, and use of sedative-hypnotics were also independently associated
with the use of medications for erectile
dysfunction or testosterone replacement. Patients prescribed daily opioid
doses of 120 mg of morphine-equivalents or more had greater use of medication
for erectile dysfunction or testosterone replacement than patients without
opioid use (1.58-fold increased risk), even with adjustment for the duration of
opioid therapy.
The researchers concluded that dose and duration of opioid
use, as well as age, comorbidity, depression, and use of sedative-hypnotics,
were associated with evidence of erectile dysfunction. They noted that their
findings may be important in the process of decision making for the long-term
use of opioids. They explained that patients need to be aware that, although
these medications may be effective for short-term pain relief, they may not be
effective in the long-term for treating chronic pain. Instead of relying on
medications, the researchers believe that doctors should encourage alternative
treatments for pain relief because there is growing evidence that some of the
more effective treatments for persistent pain are rigorously designed exercise
programs along with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Source: http://www.edtreatmentindia.com
