Loss of libido following angioplasty

[Tarrabing]

Hi everyone,

I am a male, 45 years old and had a heart attack in July 2023. I had 6 stents inserted into my 3 arteries and ever since taking these medications:

Asprin 75mg once a day

Atorvastatin 80mg once a day

Lansoprazole 30 mg once a day

Nebivolol 2.5 mg once a day (I used to be on Biosprolol 5mg, which I then changed to Nebivolol 5mg and now reduced it to 2.5mg)

Ramipril 2.5mg twice a day

Ticagrelor 90mg twice a day

I have been suffering from severe loss of libido since I have been taking this medicaiton. is this a common side effect that happens to most people or is it in rare cases. I need some guidance as to what I should to address this. I discussed it with my Dr the only suggestion he made was to change Biosprolol to Nebivolol and after a few weeks he reduced the dose of Nebivolol from 5mg to 2.5mg but my symptoms are getting worst by the day.

Any advice or experience from others will be very much appreciated.

thanks

[Happyrosie]

doc should have referred you on further I think. There was an article about this in my newspaper very recently. Start with one of the heart charities such as BHF and they should give you guidance.

[Tarrabing in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi Happyrosie, thanks for your advice. Can you please share with me the link or name of the article so I can google it?

Also, can you please elaborate what do you mean by saying "start with one of the heart chartities such as BHF and they should give you guidance" - do they have a membership that I can join? How do I have to do to get this kind of support from them?

[Happyrosie in reply to Tarrabing]

It was in the Daily or Sunday telegraph about a week ago. I don’t have it now but i think you can go to the Telegraph website and do a search. Certainly they used to have this function.

As far as BHF goes: Their website, top of page click on “information and support” then click on “talk to a cardiac nurse”.

[Chriswood79]

Hi Tarrabing. I can relate to what you are asking. Tbh you’ve had a major life event still only relatively recently and your body is probably still adjusting to it and the meds. As suggested speak to someone but also continue to give it time. And hopefully it will return. Good luck

[Tarrabing in reply to Chriswood79]

Thanks. It has been 5 months since the HA and my issue has worsened day by day. I just want to know if there is any place that can guide me what I can do to address this. My GP changed Biosprolol to Nebivolol and then dropped the dose from 5mg a day to 2.5mg a day. And my issue still persists and the worst thing is that it has worsened despite those changes.

[humair11 in reply to Tarrabing]

Replace atorvastatin with rosuvastatin 10 mg after discussing with your doctor. It will improve your libido

[pasigal]

In my experience part of the reason is psychological. My mind was focused solely on my heart health, for better or worse, for a long time. And my partner was scared of, let's say, "overstimulation" while I was in the recovery stages. I can't say it was the meds alone (was on the exact cocktail as you are) but probably having low BP and HR contribute, too...

[simplysal]

I’ve noticed this too! I’m on Aspirin, Ramipril, Atorvastatin, Propranolol, Isosorbide mononitrate, Omeprazole and Thyroxine and my libido is very much in my boots!

Hard to know if it’s the meds or as has been suggested, coming from a psychological cause.

Frustrating isn’t it.

[HeartyJames in reply to simplysal]

me too

[Tarrabing in reply to simplysal]

I know Betablockers do cause these issues, which in my case changed to a different one and also reduced to 2.5mg, but not sure which other med can also cause it.

[Soulnight]

Hi I can certainly go along with other comments and the psychological impact. I had my first HA at 48 and I remember moving into the spare room wondering if I'd wake up in the morning (bit dramatic I know!). I couldn't tolerate statins and paid for that with a second HA at 60 and again at 62. I now have 5 stents but only started the meds after the second. I don't have a problem with the libido but only take 5mg of Rosuvastatin and 10mg of Ezetimibe compared to your 80mg of Atorvastatin but I assume this is perhaps the practice to stabilise your condition and could possibly be reduced at a later stage but I'm certainly no expert. I notice that the BHF site does comment on potential reduced sex drive with statins. As previously mentioned a discussion with GP/ cardiologist would be worthwhile.

[Tarrabing in reply to Soulnight]

thanks Soulnight. So Statin can also cause libido issues? I searched this site but could not find any posts discussing this.

[skyseaka60 in reply to Tarrabing]

You must be very careful on Statin medication as I have been over prescribed on 40mg of Creator for nearly 5 months, and now have peripheral neuropathy which has damaged my leg muscles and now have E.D. There does not appear that there is a cure for this affliction.

[wischo]

There are lots of things they can do for loss of libido usually erctile dysfunction so get advice as soon as possible or it could well turn pschological. Thes drugs beyond doubt cause adverse sexual .problems.

[humair11]

Try changing atorvastatin with rosuvastatin 20 mg. I also had loss of libido with 80mg ato but it has improved a lot since switching to rosu. Discuss with your GP and let me know

[skyseaka60 in reply to humair11]

Any patient on Statin medication should take COQ10 or preferably Ubiquinone which is food for every muscle and cell in your body but unfortunately is depleted by Statins, which is why so many suffer aches and pains.