Can blood thinners cause erectile dysfunction? They are not known to — erection problems are not listed as a side effect of the common ones. The Australian consumer information for warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban and clopidogrel does not list erectile or sexual problems. What often does cause erection problems in men on blood thinners is the condition they take them for: heart disease, clogged arteries or a past stroke.
Which blood thinners are we talking about?
Anticoagulants such as warfarin and the newer medicines dabigatran, apixaban and rivaroxaban, and antiplatelet medicines such as aspirin and clopidogrel (healthdirect — Blood thinners).
Do they list erection problems as a side effect?
No. The consumer medicine information for Marevan (warfarin), Eliquis (apixaban), Rivaxib (rivaroxaban) and Plavix (clopidogrel) was checked for the side effects listed; none names erection or sexual problems. That does not rule out an individual reaction, so if problems start after a new medicine, tell your doctor — and never stop a blood thinner on your own.
Why do men on blood thinners often have erection problems?
Because of the reasons they take them. Reduced blood flow to the penis from clogged arteries is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure are among the conditions it is linked to — erectile dysfunction can even be the first sign of them (healthdirect).
Can blood thinners help erections?
They are not a treatment for erectile dysfunction. Aspirin has been tried in two small trials, one of them at high risk of bias — see can aspirin help with erectile dysfunction? The treatments that do — tablets, injections, devices, counselling — are covered in our guide to managing erectile dysfunction.
Can you take Viagra with a blood thinner?
Usually yes: sildenafil showed no significant interaction with warfarin and did not add to aspirin's effect on bleeding time in its label's studies, and tadalafil did not change warfarin's effect on clotting — see can you take Viagra with blood thinners or warfarin? and, for rivaroxaban, Xarelto with Viagra or Cialis.
The short answer
Blood thinners are not listed as a cause of erectile dysfunction; the heart and blood-vessel conditions behind them often are. Talk to your GP about both, and never stop a blood thinner to fix your erections. More medicines and conditions are covered in our guide to what can cause erectile dysfunction.
