Hypertension And Poor Semen Quality: A New Compelling Indication For Use Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor As First Line Anti-Hypertensive Medication

Abstract

…Treatment of hypertension is usually individualized for optimal results. Usually, patients' profile determines this individualization. Some drugs work better in certain individuals for various reasons. Some would be preferred because of co-existing diseases or some favourable effects on the side not necessarily related to blood pressure lowering effect. This individualized or “custom made” approach gives rise to treatment guidelines that are produced at regular intervals. In our practice, we encounter men who are infertile due to poor quality semen and are also hypertensive. In our socio-cultural setting, the stress of being childless can not be divorced from the pathogenetic profile of hypertension in people so affected. At the moment, oligozoospermia or azoospermia are not considered as compelling or even coincidental indications that determines choice of therapy in hypertension. Our experience in improving sperm count and motility, recording pregnancy in some instances lead to the suggestion of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors as preferred first line drugs in hypertension for men with poor quality semen.


Keywords: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, Spermatogenesis, Improvement Men, Hypertension

Journal of Medicine in the Tropics Vol. 10 (1) 2008: pp. 1-6