Various factors, including medications to treat depression, can affect a woman’s sex drive. Let’s find out how antidepressants can affect sex drive.
Depression can cause a person to lose interest in things or activities they once enjoyed doing. This list can also include sex. While medications can help people fight depression, one of the side effects of antidepressants could be low libido. These prescription drugs can help regulate mood, but they can also affect your sex life. Read on to learn the link between antidepressants and sex drive and what to do about it.
What is an antidepressant?
An antidepressant is a drug used primarily to treat depression, says psychiatrist Dr Rahul Rai Kakkar. It works by balancing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which are thought to be involved in mood regulation.
Antidepressants are commonly prescribed when someone has been diagnosed with depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They can also be used to treat chronic pain and eating disorders, says the expert.
Antidepressants and sex drive
Depression and antidepressants can cause symptoms like vaginal dryness and low sex drive, according to a 2019 study published in Journal of Clinical Medicine. Another study, published in Pharmaceutical care and patient safety journal in 2010, showed that antidepressants can cause sexual problems such as decreased sexual desire, decreased sexual excitement, delayed or decreased orgasm.
Women may notice a decrease or changes in sexual desire, arousal, or orgasm while taking these medications, Dr. Kakkar says. These effects can be influenced by individual differences, the specific antidepressant being taken, and other factors such as the individual’s overall mental health and relationship dynamics.
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Antidepressants that have mostly sexual side effects include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Citalopram (Celexa),
The list also includes serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
These drugs can affect sexual function by changing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin, which plays a role in sexual desire and arousal, the expert says.
Antidepressant medications that have fewer sexual side effects include:
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
Bupropion works differently than SSRIs and SNRIs, primarily by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, which may lead to fewer sexual side effects. Mirtazapine, while affecting serotonin receptors, also interacts with other neurotransmitter systems, possibly resulting in less effect on sexual function compared to SSRIs and SNRIs.
How to manage the side effects of antidepressants on sex drive?
If your sex drive is affected by antidepressants, you can do the following:
1. Communicate your issue with the doctor
Discuss any concerns or changes in sexual function with your doctor. They may adjust the dose, switch to a different drug, or recommend other strategies that won’t affect your sex life.
2. Explore alternative medicines
If the sexual side effects are intolerable, choose a different antidepressant with fewer sexual side effects. Bupropion or mirtazapine may be an option for you. Some medications such as Sildenafil (Viagra) and Tadalafil (Cialis) may also be prescribed along with antidepressants to help manage sexual dysfunction.
3. Schedule of medication
Your medication may lead to more intense sexual side effects at certain times of the day. You may experience them within a few hours of taking the medicine. You can then take the antidepressant at a different time of day, such as in the morning or afternoon, to reduce sexual side effects.
4. Techniques of sexual stimulation
Although there are side effects of antidepressants, you can explore different sexual activities or techniques with your partner. This can help maintain intimacy and sexual satisfaction, says the expert.
5. Psychotherapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or couples therapy can help address any psychological or relationship factors that contribute to changes in sexual function. It may not just be your antidepressant.
If you are experiencing sexual side effects from antidepressants, you can work with your doctor to find solutions that best meet your needs while effectively managing your mental health condition.
