If you’ve searched for information about antidepressants, you may have come across articles that mention potential side effects that may affect your sex life.
Sexual side effects are a fairly common complaint of people prescribed antidepressants. While not all antidepressants are linked to sexual side effects, some users experience issues such as difficulty becoming aroused or reaching orgasm.
Below, we’ve explained the relationship between antidepressants and sexual side effects, from the potential side effects you may experience after starting antidepressants to the medications that are most likely to cause these side effects.
We’ve also shared information on what you can do to manage sexual side effects from SSRIs, SNRIs and other medications used to treat depression.
Antidepressants are some of the most commonly used prescription medications in the United States. In fact, data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicates that 12.7 percent of Americans over the age of 12 have used antidepressants within the last 30 days.
Like all medications, antidepressants can cause certain side effects. Although the precise side effects can vary from one medication to another, sexual problems are a common side effect of most antidepressants.
Not all antidepressants cause sexual side effects. In fact, the risk of sexual side effects can vary hugely from one class of antidepressants to another.
In a study published in 2010, researchers compared data on different types of antidepressants and sexual difficulties. They found that the following classes of antidepressants were the most likely to cause sexual side effects:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are some of the antidepressants most likely to result in sexual side effects. Researchers have found that between 25 and 73 percent of people who use SSRIs experience sexual issues.
Common SSRIs include Prozac® (fluoxetine), Zoloft® (sertraline), Lexapro® (escitalopram) and Paxil® (paroxetine).
Sexual side effects caused by SSRIs can affect both men and women. Researchers aren’t fully aware of why this happens, although genetic traits may play a role in a person’s risk of experiencing these side effects while using an SSRI.
Some research also indicates that sexual side effects of SSRIs may be in part due to their effects on our bodies’ serotonin levels.
SSRIs are extremely common — in fact, many SSRIs are currently used as first-line treatments for depression and other conditions. If you’re prescribed an SSRI and experience sexual side effects, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.
Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, are also highly likely to cause sexual side effects. Research shows that 58 to 70 percent of people who use SNRIs will experience sexual side effects.
Common SNRIs include Cymbalta® (duloxetine) and Effexor® (venlafaxine). As with SSRIs, if you are prescribed an SNRI to treat depression or any other condition and experience sexual side effects, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider before making any changes.
Research indicates that tricyclic antidepressants, or TCAs, are slightly less likely to cause sexual side effects than SSRIs and SNRIs. According to study data, around 30 percent of people who use tricyclic antidepressants experience sexual side effects.
Despite this, tricyclic antidepressants are more likely to cause other side effects than newer antidepressants. Common side effects of TCAs include dizziness, constipation and dry mouth (xerostomia).
Other side effects include blurred vision, confusion, sedation, urinary retention, rapit heart rate increase (tachycardia), orthostatic hypotension, increased appetite and weight gain — among others.
Common tricyclic antidepressants include Pamelor® (nortriptyline), Tofranil® (imipramine) and Norpramin® (desipramine). As tricyclic antidepressants can cause withdrawal effects if stopped suddenly, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any sexual side effects.
Other types of antidepressants may also cause sexual side effects. The average prevalence of sexual side effects can vary based on the type of antidepressant:
If you experience sexual side effects after starting an SSRI or other type of antidepressant, it’s important that you talk to your healthcare provider.
Avoid making any changes to your dosage before talking to your healthcare provider, as some antidepressants can cause withdrawal symptoms if dosage is adjusted or use of the medication is discontinued suddenly.
Based on your symptoms, medical history and the severity of your side effects, your healthcare provider may recommend:
After making changes, it’s important to keep in contact with your healthcare provider. Keep them informed and updated if you have persistent sexual side effects that don’t seem to improve after making the recommended changes.
Many antidepressants, including SSRIs, SNRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, may cause sexual side effects such as a loss of libido, difficulty reaching orgasm and erectile dysfunction.
These effects occur in men and women, although the precise side effects can vary from person to person.
If you’re prescribed an antidepressant and notice changes in your sexual desire or performance, talk to your healthcare provider. Most of the time, sexual side effects caused by antidepressants can be treated by making changes to your medication usage, dosage and/or habits.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.