Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them: Health care screwups are one of the leading causes of death in America, killing as many as 750,000 people annually. That’s more than heart attacks or cancer. And yet most people don’t know this, including most physicians. From diagnostic disasters to deadly drug interactions, the bestselling authors of The People’s Pharmacy expose the alarming epidemic of medical mistakes in America—and offer a lifesaving prescription to make the healthcare system safe again. Only $26.00 +s/h
Was this information helpful? Average rating: 4.6/5 (48 votes)
What do you think? Click the stars to vote!
If you have more to say, post a comment below!
Q. I have taken statins to lower my cholesterol. Decreased libido was one of the many side effects I experienced. As things happen gradually, I hadn't fully taken note of how my normal nighttime erections had virtually ceased.
I figured my lack of sexual interest was due to getting older. My wife felt I wasn't as interested in her anymore.
During the first week after I stopped the statin, I had a sexual awakening like I was a teenager again. I didn't realize how far I had deteriorated until my libido came roaring back. Any comment?
A. We have heard from other readers that statins (Crestor, Lipitor, lovastatin, simvastatin, etc) may sometimes contribute to sexual difficulties, and research confirms this (Drug Safety, July, 2009).
More recently, Italian researchers have reported a link between statin therapy and hypogonadism (reduced testosterone). Interfering with the production of cholesterol seems to alter hormone synthesis (Journal of Sexual Medicine, April, 2010). We are sending you our Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health with more information on the pros and cons of statins and other ways to lower blood lipids.
Was this information helpful? Average rating: 4.6/5 (48 votes)
What do you think? Click the stars to vote!
If you have more to say, post a comment below!
Well known possible side effect of statins. Its been reported for years. TJD Retired urologist.
Statins lower cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA, which inhibits the production of Mevalonic acid, eventually giving rise to cholesterol production, steroid hormone production such as androgens and testosterone, Vitamin D, Ubiquinol (Coenzyme Q10) Dolichols.
So by blocking cholesterols production, statins also block the production of other necessary and vital components of life. Ever wonder why sales of Levitra, Cialis and Viagra have exploded, look at what statins are doing to us. So by taking one drug, you will need another drug, I call that job security for big pharma...
The "whap" sound you just heard was me slapping my forehead in recognition of something that has been staring me in the face for five years. Five years ago I started on simvistatin (Zocor, I think). Five years ago I lost most of my sexual function and shortly afterward most of my interest. I've been taking ED drugs with mixed results: I am chasing one drug with another. I suspect if I brought this up to my doctor I would get the standard condescending smile and the standard "which of us went to medical school, huh?" response. Grrrrrrr.
What's the effect on the woman's side?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: THERE'S NOT MUCH RESEARCH, BUT THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE WOMEN ARE IMMUNE TO THIS SIDE EFFECT.
CranDreww,
I'll just play Devil's Advocate here; I guess if statins so much of a problem then that leaves an opportunity for some else to make a new drug without problems and made huge profits from it.
I just find it hard to believe that Big Pharma really planned to get people on all these drugs like it was a conspiracy.
It's much more believable that they just haven't gotten it right. Big Pharma is made of regular people not Gods. It's our collective fault for thinking we can cheat death, not Big Bad Drug Companies.
I knew of heart medications having an effect, but not statins. I don't know what to make of it, but in addtition to taking Toprol XL (50mg.) and Avapro (150 mg.), I also take Pravachol (20 mg.) and have been for over a decade and in that time, my libido has not been affected. I've also been a diabetic since I was 9 months old.
I have also had a heart attack and my A1C's are rarely under 8.2.
Any thoughts from the professional staff or am I just lucky and count my blessings?
Fred and others,
Fred: It is important to control your cholesterol. Perhaps exercise and diet, which will also BENEFIT your sex life, would be more helpful than a statin. There are several alternatives to statins like Niaspan, which is the prescription form of the B vitamin niacin.
Crandreww: I'm sure that if someone in Big Pharma really intentionally made a drug with side-effects that required more drugs, they are extremely wealth. However, this is very unlikely. Big Pharma does not force people to take drugs and they are not God. It's more likely that they just didn't get it right.
PP: Women have hormones in their body as well. When their testosterone levels (and other hormone levels) are altered they too will have altered sex drive. The same thing happens with birth control.
IT: Count your blessings. Remember that this website might give you a false sense of side-effects to expect with medications. Don't get me wrong medications have side-effects just like the diseases they treat, but when considering the options (risks and benefits) and likely outcomes most chose medications.
British Researchers Statin Study: "these drugs, although considered safe, are, like any intervention in medicine, not entirely free of adverse events,"
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J7B820100520
Can't argue with these numbers...
I was taking Simvastatin for quite awhile. For about the last year or better, my libido disappeared. A blood test revealed a testosterone level of 200. Quite low. I was prescribed testosterone replacement and the Ins. Co refused to pay for it. After some research, I discovered it was the Statin drug that depleted my hormone, so I quit the Statin. I replaced it with Tongkat Ali, CoCq10, and Almonds. Hello Erections. Glad to see you again.
i have been taking statins for the past five months and i have noticed a greatly increased sex drive since i started taking them. before, i had little interest in sex at the age of 48, it just did not seem like a big deal. but, now, i seem to be like a teenager, constantly wanting it every night if possible. my husband doesn't know what to do with me. my doctor says to enjoy it...it wont last forever:)