Q. Can Propranolol result in low sex drive and poor erections?
Hello doctor,
My height is 5 feet, and my weight is 110 kg. I am married with five children, the oldest is 18 years old, and the youngest is 7 years old. Most of my life suffered from panic disorder, anxiety, and stress. Last year was stressful as my sex drive was low, and I had a weak erection. I do not get morning erections. When I get aroused, my erection is not hard enough for intercourse. I consulted a doctor, and he asked for a few blood tests. I am currently using Propranolol 10 mg for panic attacks. Could you please give me your opinion on this?
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Thanks for writing in, and I understand your concern. Your symptoms can be due to low testosterone. Based on your reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), you have low total testosterone. Other possible causes are anxiety, Propranolol intake, and diabetes-related vascular neuropathy. Would you please repeat the test one more time to confirm? Also, check sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and free testosterone levels. I suggest you lose weight as weight loss will help you greatly. Did you experience a head injury, snake bite, surgery, or radiation? If low testosterone is confirmed, you can start testosterone replacement therapy. It will help your sex drive and erections to some extent. Do you have plans for another child? Because when you start testosterone, your sperm count will drop. Also, you seem to have high HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin). So, check with your doctor about diabetes and get treated for that. Lastly, if Propranolol can be substituted with anything else, that would be good.
Regards.
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your response.
Is there any alternative or natural therapy to raise my testosterone? I did the second test for testosterone after six day, and it was 6.5 ng/dL. I had no head injury or snake bite. When my doctor spoke to me about my HbA1c results, I checked my glucose first thing in the morning, and it was 14.5 mmol/L. After food, it was 18.3 mmol/L, but I cut out sugar and red meat since then. My fasting glucose level is 6.0 ng/dL. My BMI is 41.5. I believe my blood test results reflected my lifestyle, which was based on fatty and sugary food. I have an appointment in three weeks with an endocrinologist, but I am apprehensive about what will happen. If I lose weight, will the testosterone levels improve? Please give me your opinion on this.
Regards.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
First, we are not sure if low testosterone is the reason for your symptoms. Secondly, you do not have any severe health problems, so do not be worried. Yes, obesity is the most likely reason for high HbA1c and low testosterone. Obesity lowers sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). So, I strongly recommend checking SHBG and free or bioavailable testosterone. Weight loss will improve the testosterone level. Cut down on sugars, starch, and fat. I also suggest aerobic exercise and additional three days of resistance exercise.
You can also try the ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, meal replacement, and whole food plant-based diet for a faster weight loss. There are medicines for weight loss also. And finally, bariatric surgery. Please meet with the endocrinologist. See what they have to say.
I hope this helps you.
Regards.
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