Are anti-coagulants actually blood 'thinners'?

[PeetyPeet]

Hi everyone,

Strange questions this time. Purely out of interest.

Anti-coagulant drugs such as Wafarin, Aspirin and some NSAIDS are often referred to as 'blood thinners'. There's also some dietary supplement enzymes such as Serrapeptase, Nattokinase and Bromelain, which have anti-coagulant properties and so are also referred to as blood thinners.

But do they actually thin the blood? Do they affect the blood in such a manner that it moves round the body easier, accessing those hard to reach places, similar to how pentox reduces blood viscosity? Or is it simply that they reduce blood clotting at times when the blood is likely to, such as when cut etc?

In terms of effects on the penis - there's seemingly some anecdotal evidence that suggests anti-coagulants can sometimes cause priapism. There's also some evidence - again anecdotal - that suggests they can cause ED.

Any thoughts?

Many thanks

Peety

[rxrebel]

Medications referred to as blood thinners including aspirin which would be the only NSAID considered one, do indeed only prevent the blood from clotting not get in to any places that it could not get if it was "thicker". These are used so that the blood does not clot in the bloodstream when an obstacle is met which could lead to the clot dislodging and leading to the brain or lungs and causing a stroke. This does also make a person bleed more due to any injuries. Unfortunately, none of this should be beneficial in the disease.  

[PeetyPeet]

That's what I suspected

Thanks for confirming.