This may be the first research to pit statins against placebos to see how the blockbuster statins affect the ability to have orgasms. The findings should spur doctors to ask patients routinely about changes in sexual pleasure because those with problems may want to try another statin or drop the medications.
The six-month, government-funded study involved more than 1,000 adults with high LDL — the bad cholesterol — but no heart disease. Participants were randomly selected to take either statins or a placebo. In the study, sexual pleasure sank along with LDL levels, says study leader Beatrice Golomb of the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine.
Patients who took simvastatin, or Zocor, had the biggest LDL drop, but men rated their sexual pleasure as sinking by nearly half over the study period. Women were somewhat better off, "but some definitely were affected," Golomb says. Pravastatin, or Pravachol, the other statin tested, reduced LDL less and didn't have a significant effect on orgasms.
The researchers believe that statins may reduce Coenzyme Q10, a nutrient that helps cells convert oxygen, blood and glucose into energy. "Orgasm is a high-energy activity," so losing CoQ10 could weaken sexual pleasure, they say.
Steve - we've said it before and we'll say it again. If you are on a statin, you need to supplement with CoQ10. Men value their libido. So for those of you still holding out on CoQ10, maybe this study will sway you.
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