For many, taking antidepressants may mean experiencing some form of sexual dysfunction. This can include a reduction in sex drive, trouble maintaining arousal, and difficulty reaching orgasm.
Experts are still researching the sexual side effects caused by antidepressants to figure out why they happen and how to prevent them. There may be some antidepressants that cause fewer sexual side effects. There are also promising ways to manage or prevent these effects.
Taking antidepressant drugs can cause various side effects. People taking antidepressants may report side effects ranging from gut issues to anxiety.
People may also experience sexual problems. Some health experts may refer to this as antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. The symptoms may vary between people, but can include:
- reduced libido
- inability to orgasm
- delayed orgasm
- spontaneous orgasm
- delayed ejaculation
- erectile dysfunction
- priapism
- painful intercourse
- genital numbness
The symptoms of sexual dysfunction can affect a person’s quality of life. This can affect relationships, decrease self-esteem, and lead some people to stop taking their medication to find relief from the symptoms.
However, according to the mental health charity Mind, medical professionals advise people not to stop taking medication abruptly as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms. People experiencing sexual side effects may consider trying some management techniques instead or consulting their doctor about changing antidepressants.
Medical professionals do not fully understand the reason that antidepressants cause sexual side effects. UNC Health notes that depression can cause sexual side effects as well, so it can be difficult to know whether the medication or the condition is causing these symptoms.
The side effects may also be because each drug acts in a slightly different way in the body. For instance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase the amount of serotonin circulating in the brain.
Serotonin helps an individual feel less depressed and anxious. However, the increase in serotonin may affect a person’s sex drive and make it harder to experience sexual pleasure.
Another theory is that as serotonin increases, the levels of dopamine decrease. Dopamine is a chemical in the body that people need to feel stimulated.
While discussing the sexual side effects of Parkinson’s, the American Parkinson Disease Association notes that with less dopamine in the body, people may have a more difficult time feeling sexually aroused. However, more research is necessary to understand this link.
Read on to learn more about depression and erectile dysfunction.
Each antidepressant medication acts differently in the body. Medical professionals link the main types of antidepressants to sexual side effects. However, the prevalence varies by the specific medication.
While many people have sexual dysfunctions when taking all types of antidepressants, evidence notes that sexual side effects are common with SSRIs. Some research also highlights that even after discontinuing SSRIs, some people continue to have sexual side effects, known as post-SSRI sexual dysfunction.
Research from 2023 also indicates that serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can cause sexual problems and may lead to post-SNRI sexual dysfunction.
Other types of antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants, 5-HT2 blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, can also cause sexual problems. However, they are typically less common than other types of antidepressants.
Many people on antidepressants may find success through managing their sexual side effects in one or more ways.
Switching medication
If the antidepressants cause severe or very persistent side effects, a person’s doctor may suggest switching medications.
Working with their doctor, an individual will gradually come off their current medication and move to a new one. After a suitable trial period, the doctor may evaluate the person to see whether to change the medication dosage.
Some evidence suggests that moclobemide, agomelatine, reboxetine, and bupropion are least likely to cause sexual dysfunction. However, other than bupropion, healthcare professionals do not typically prescribe the other medications.
Lowering dosage
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The doctor may begin putting the person on lower doses of the drug. They will then monitor their progress to determine the lowest dose of the drug the person can take for it to be effective. Dosage is a very individual thing. People should not adjust their dosage without guidance from a doctor.
Personal changes
There are also ways to raise libido without adjusting medications.
For some people, it may be the will to have sex that is most affected by antidepressant medications. They may be physically able to get aroused yet lack the desire to actually partake in sexual activties. To help with this, people may focus on improving relationship quality and spending more time on foreplay.
Doctors may also suggest that people who take their medication on a daily basis, engage in sexual activity before taking their medication. In some cases, adding a sexual stimulant drug may help improve sex drive. As always, people should discuss these options with a doctor.
Antidepressants may also decrease the amount of dopamine in the body, so it is important for people taking them to boost their natural levels of dopamine. This may include getting plenty of rest and exercise and reducing stress.
Antidepressants can cause various side effects, including sexual problems. The symptoms vary from person to person but could affect an individual’s life.
Managing these side effects can require a mixture of lifestyle changes, different medications, and dosage changes. People can work with a doctor to reduce or eliminate sexual side effects caused by antidepressants.