Abstract
To determine the frequency and possible mechanism whereby alpha-methyldopa causes disturbances in male sexuality, 105 hypertensive men using this drug were interviewed; serum testosterone was measured in those with diminished sexual functioning (N=36) and a subgroup of subjects with no such alterations (N=30). The occurrence of impotence (N=28) was dose-dependent, with frequencies of 14.3%, 23.4%, and 52.2% in men taking <1.0 g/day, 1.0–1.5 g/day, and ≥2.0 g/day of alpha-methyldopa, respectively. Serum testosterone concentrations in men using alpha-methyldopa who had impotence (606±23 ng/100 ml, mean±S.E.M.), depressed libido (601±21 ng/100 ml), and normal potency (591±18 ng/100 ml) were similar to healthy adult non-hypertensive males of the same age (624±26 ng/100 ml). Health-care professionals should query all hypertensive patients about sexual symptoms before and during drug therapy, since these are a common potential cause of non-compliance.
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Kolodny, R.C. Effects of alpha-methyldopa on male sexual function. Sex Disabil 1, 223–228 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01101329
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01101329