Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39269577›Full record

SynthesisEndocrine2025

Anti-hypertensive medications and erectile dysfunction: focus on β-blockers.

G Corona, W Vena, A Pizzocaro, G Salvio, C Sparano, A Sforza, M Maggi

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Endocrine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
  9. Erectile Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress: A Narrative Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
  10. Why Cardiology Can No Longer Ignore Sexual Health?Arquivos brasileiros de cardiologia · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

G CoronaEndocrinology Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Azienda-Usl Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
W VenaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
A PizzocaroUnit of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology, IRCSS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
G SalvioEndocrinology Clinic, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
C SparanoEndocrinology Unit Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
A SforzaEndocrinology Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Azienda-Usl Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
M MaggiEndocrinology Unit Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. mario.maggi@unifi.it.

Funding

Recovery and Resilience Plan, Investment PE8 - Project Age-It: "Ageing Well in an Ageing Society AGE-IT -CUP B83C22004800006
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeAlthough anti-hypertensive medications, including thiazides and β-blockers (BBs) in particular, have been suggested to cause erectile dysfunction (ED) their real contribution is still conflicting. The aim of this paper is to summarize available evidence providing an evidence-based critical analysis of the topic.

methodsAn overall comprehensive narrative review was performed using Medline, Embase and Cochrane search. In addition, to better understand the impact of BBs on ED a specific systematic review was also performed.

resultsThe negative role of centrally acting drugs, such as clonidine and α-methyldopa, is well documented althuogh limited controlled trials are available. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium-channel-blockers (CCBs) have neutral (CCBs) or even positive (ACEis and ARBs) effects on erectile function. Despite some preliminary negative reports, more recent evidence does not confirm the negative impact of thiazides. BBs should be still considered the class of medications more often associated with ED, although better outcomes can be drawn with nebivolol.

conclusionSexual function should be assessed in all patients with arterial hypertension, either at diagnosis or after the prescription of specific medications. A close related patient-physician interaction and discussion can overcome possible negative outcomes allowing a successful management of possible side effects.

Indexed as

Adrenergic beta-AntagonistsAntihypertensive AgentsErectile DysfunctionHypertensionHumansMaleAdrenergic beta-AntagonistsAntihypertensive AgentsAntihypertensive medicationsBeta-blockersErectile dysfunctionHypertension

Identifiers

PMID39269577
PMCPMC11739250

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.